Is the trend for plastic surgery finally over?

Michael Jackson is apparently planning to give his look a revamp with even more plastic surgery in preparation for his comeback this summer. The popstar, who is due to start a run of 50 shows at London’s O2 Arena in July, has reportedly been in consultation with a number of surgeons and cosmetologists to work out his latest new look.

It’s not as if the international star hasn’t had enough surgery already, but it’s not really surprising to hear that he wants to go under the knife again. After all it’s one of the things he’s become most famous for. It would seem, though, that for the time being at least he will be in the minority. The slightly worrying trend towards a nip/tuck culture where people can just pop in for a nose job or breast enlargement procedure and no one bats an eyelid, appears to be coming to an end.

It could just be the recession meaning people don’t have the money to spare for expensive procedures, or it could be that people are starting to listen to the ever increasing list of horror stories related to cosmetic surgery. Whatever the cause, the fact remains that the number of cosmetic operations performed in the final three months of 2008 had dropped by at least 25 per cent.

This may be bad news for cosmetic surgeons but it’s great news for the beauty industry. Without the option to just get your body issues ‘fixed’ by going under the knife, people trying to retain their youthful looks are having to look elsewhere for an answer. And the only other answer is to always take proper care of yourself, your body and your skin.

Specialist cosmetic companies like NV Perricone and Elemis produce a huge selection of creams and moisturisers specifically designed to target problem areas and deal with common problems. These ‘cosmeceuticals’ combine cosmetic benefits with pharmaceutical ones. If you prefer something a bit more home-grown Aesop use botanical ingredients in their huge range of skincare products. Taking care of your skin and maintaining a healthy diet and exercise routine will mean that you can always look your best, without running the risk of ending up looking like Jacko.