Youre likely already well acquainted with an unforgiving element of our new realitythe Zoom call. While staring at other people virtually, were also staring at ourselves virtually, and also staring at a hard truth: Sometimes we could use a little work.
By the beginning of June, when the entire Washington area had entered Phase One of reopening, elective surgeries were happening once more. What became apparent is that many peoplelong cooped up, with endless time to consider their corporeal shortcomingswanted their damn glow-ups already.
We call it the Zoom neck lift, says Arlington plastic surgeon Talal Munasifi, referring to requests he has fielded for face work after people have suddenly stopped midvirtual gathering and thought, holy crap, they could use a touchup. They say, Oh, I didnt realize things look like this.
Typically, Munasifi says, summer is a slow time for cosmetic work because of vacations. But this past June, his practice saw almost 30 percent more traffic than usual. We have been extremely busy, he says. It was amazing how quickly it came back.
DC plastic surgeon Catherine Hannan says more patients are inquiring about skin-brightening peels or lasers. Someone may sit in on a Zoom call with poor lighting and not be able to stop thinking about those sunspots or under-eye bags. They might not be that bad in person, but the shadowing is making it look worse to them, Hannan says.
A large part of the increased business is due to people finally having the time to recover from a procedureno more summer-camp carpools or in-office meetings. When you say the downtime is ten days or a week or two weeks, not many people have the luxury of taking a week or two weeks in a row, says Munasifi. Now they can.
Its not just Zoom-inspired nips and tucks. Hannan says most of her patients are requesting body work, such as breast augmentation and liposuction: Theyve spent a lot more time at home thinking about it. They think its an ideal time to have a procedure.
Another factor that doctors say could be adding to an increase in patients: virtual consultations. Neither Munasafi nor Hannan frequently saw patients by video call prior to the pandemic, but now that theyve used it over the past few months, they believe the ease may make some people reach out who ordinarily wouldnt.
I think telehealth has opened up a new world for plastic surgery, says Hannan, who isnt charging a fee for virtual consultations (but does for in-person meetings). It can be done from home, ten minutes in between your other work that youre already doing on your computer.
Erin Kelly, a 30-year-old who works in PR, recently had a virtual consult with Hannan about getting liposuction under her chin and on her stomach. Kelly ordinarily lives in New York City but has been staying with her parents in Olney and working remotely during the pandemic.
Shes long wanted to get work doneprobably since the first time someone called me Chipmunk Cheeks, she saysbut hadnt found the right time. Until a pandemic struck. And, as with many people who have gotten refunds for vacations or other activities that couldnt happen, she had extra money to spend after moving in with her parents and canceling her gym and Rent the Runway memberships. The stars kind of aligned, and I decided if now wasnt the time, then when?
Many Washingtonians, of course, have prioritized their physical well-being over their physical appearance during the crisis. Staying Covid-free, it could be argued, is more important than getting a facelift or Botox. Plus youre not going to see anyone, so whats the point?
Its the same principle as hair salons, says Hannan. Some people are desperate to get their hair cut, and a lot of us are like, Well, I wear it in a ponytail all day,
Thats seemingly the case for a 41-year-old Arlington woman who works in real estate (and asked to remain anonymous). Shes gotten Botox before and has breast implants, and she just underwent a medically necessary surgery to replace the implants with new ones. Yet her approach to self-maintenance has changed over the past few months.
I like to go to the spa, I like to get my nails done, I like to get my hair done, she says. With the lockdown, obviously all that had to end. I think Ive gotten back to much more natural.
Even for those embracing natural beauty, though, the lure of coming out of quarantine looking especially well rested cant be ignored.
When were talking about Botoxthats different, the woman clarifies. Turns out she got some just a few weeks ago.
These surgeonsall of whom were named Top Doctors in our November 2019 issueare recommended for cosmetic procedures on adults looking to rejuvenate face and body
While most of these physicians can do any type of cosmetic surgery, weve listed special interests they have.
Stephen B. Baker
3800 Reservoir Rd.,NW; 202-444-9302;also McLean
Mary Ella Carter
5215 Loughboro Rd., NW; 202-363-6844
Special interest in facial rejuvenation, facial fillers
Christopher Charles Chang
8100 Boone Blvd., Vienna; 703-945-1700; also Chevy Chase
Special interest in breast augmentation, rhinoplasty, facelift
Steven P. Davison
3301 New Mexico Ave., NW; 202-966-9590
Special interest in breast augmentation, breast lift, facelift
Konrad L. Dawson
106 Irving St., NW; 202-726-1000
Special interest in tummy tuck, liposuction, breast reduction/augmentation/reconstruction
Gregory O. Dick
9711 Medical Center Dr., Rockville; 301-251-2600
Special interest in cosmetic surgery of the face, breasts, and abdomen; laser skin care; breast reconstruction
Gloria Duda
6845 Elm St., McLean; 703-893-1111
Special interest in cosmetic and reconstructive breast surgery
Craig R. Dufresne
8501 Arlington Blvd., Fairfax; 703-207-3065; also Chevy Chase
Special interest in facial rejuvenation, facelift, neck lift
William Epps
8008 Westpark Dr., McLean; 703-287-4600
Jules A. Feledy Jr.
5530 Wisconsin Ave., Chevy Chase; 301-654-5666; also Stafford
Special interest in breast reconstruction, body contouring, aesthetic surgery
Douglas L. Forman
11210 Old Georgetown Rd., North Bethesda; 301-881-7770
Special interest in breast surgery, facial plastic surgery, body contouring
James H. French
3299 Woodburn Rd., Annandale; 703-560-2850; also Chevy Chase
Special interest in facial, breast, and abdominal surgery
Roger J. Friedman
11210 Old Georgetown Rd., North Bethesda; 301-881-7770
Special interest in facial rejuvenation, rhinoplasty, breast and body contouring
Wendy R. Gottlieb
1800 Town Center Dr., Reston; 703-668-9499
Special interest in breast reconstruction, breast and body aesthetic surgery, facial cosmetic surgery
Catherine Hannan
2440 M St., NW; 202-785-4187; also Northwest DC
Special interest in breast, body, and facial rejuvenation
Kathy Huang
11210 Old Georgetown Road, North Bethesda; 301-881-7770
Special interest in breast augmentation, reduction, lift, and reconstruction; body contouring
Philip Iorianni
10810 Connecticut Ave., Kensington; 301-929-7100
A. Dean Jabs
6430 Rockledge Dr., Bethesda; 301-265-5242
Special interest in facelift, breast augmentation
Joanne J. Lenert
2300 M St., NW; 202-741-3242
Special interest in breast reconstruction, reconstruction after major weight loss, body contouring
Sheilah A. Lynch
5530 Wisconsin Ave., Chevy Chase; 301-652-5933; also Easton
Special interest in face and neck rejuvenation, body contouring, tummy tuck
Derek Masden
106 Irving St., NW; 202-877-3300
Vineet Mehan
2755 Hartland Rd., Falls Church; 703-544-8971
Alex N. Mesbahi
7601 LewinsvilleRd., McLean; 703-287-8277; also downtown DC
Special interest in body contouring
Joseph Michaels
11404 Old Georgetown Rd., North Bethesda; 301-468-5991; also Fairfax
Special interest in body contouring, plastic surgery after weight loss, cosmetic breast surgery
Talal A. Munasifi
1635 N. George Mason Dr., Arlington; 703-841-0399
Maurice Nahabedian
7601 Lewinsville Rd., McLean; 703-287-8277; also downtown DC
Special interest in breast augmentation, reduction, and reconstruction
Marilyn Nguyen
1625 N. George Mason Dr., Arlington; 703-717-4217
Special interest in breast reconstruction
Michael Olding
2300 M St., NW; 202-741-3241
Lauren Patrick
2440 M St., NW; 202-785-4187
Special interest in cosmetic surgery of the face, breast, and body; Botox and other injectables
Troy Pittman
Read more:
Zoom Is Motivating People to Get New Sorts of Plastic Surgery - Washingtonian
