Differences Between Cosmetic and Plastic Surgery Explained

Oftentimes, cosmetic surgery and plastic surgery are seen as identical; yet, they are distinct specialties. While cosmetic surgery is optional and primarily enhances appearance, plastic surgery serves a broader purpose, focusing on reconstruction and healing after injuries, illnesses, or congenital conditions. 

If you want to learn more about the distinctions between these two specialties, you have come to the right place. This article will provide you with definitions of each field and all the differences between them, from the purposes they serve, the different training paths they require, and the procedures they apply. Additionally, you’ll find out all about the benefits of cosmetic and plastic surgery and how to make the right choice between the two. So, without further ado, let’s jump right into the essentials!

What Is Cosmetic Surgery?

As mentioned above, cosmetic surgery is a medical specialty that focuses solely on the enhancement of people’s appearances. This field includes cosmetic procedures designed to enhance and change people’s appearances purely for aesthetic purposes. Cosmetic surgeries are not driven by medical reasons. Rather, patients voluntarily choose to undergo these procedures.

Some cosmetic surgeries include but are not limited to: 

• Rhinoplasty (reshaping the nose);
• Facelifts (lifting and pulling back the face);
• Liposuction (removing fat);
• Breast augmentations or reductions;
• Body contouring (reshaping areas of the body).

Cosmetic surgery is conducted for numerous reasons, such as boosting self-esteem, addressing perceived imperfections, or simply for people to feel comfortable with their appearances. However, people should maintain realistic expectations when considering such surgeries and avoid seeing them as life-changing decisions. 

What Is Plastic Surgery?

Have you heard of individuals losing function in certain body parts due to injuries or illnesses? Plastic surgery is what aids people in recovering from this. In contrast to cosmetic surgery, plastic surgery is a medical field that focuses on reconstruction – rebuilding, improving, and restoring different parts of the body. 

Plastic surgery also addresses congenital conditions, such as restoring both function and appearance in cases of congenital hand deformities. Additionally, for congenital conditions affecting the cleft lip and palate, surgeries play a crucial role in helping people regain their abilities and improve their quality of life. Lastly, in cases where women undergo breast cancer surgery, breast reconstruction can help restore both their appearance and confidence. 

As such, plastic surgery differs from cosmetic surgery by focusing on helping patients regain normalcy and functionality after illnesses, diseases, or congenital conditions.

Key Differences Between Cosmetic and Plastic Surgery

To make an informed decision about which career path you want to follow, you must understand the key differences between cosmetic and plastic surgery. Both fields are linked to surgical procedures aimed at altering the body. Yet, they have distinct goals, employ different techniques, require separate training paths, and, of course, vary in salary expectations. 

Different goals and patient needs

While both fields deal with appearances, cosmetic surgery revolves entirely around improving patients’ looks for aesthetic purposes. Procedures such as facelifts or liposuction are some of the treatments that patients seek when they opt for cosmetic surgery. 

On the other hand, plastic surgery is more concerned with the functional aspect of patients’ bodies. Plastic surgery helps individuals restore function in various parts of their body that may have been lost due to illness, injury, or a congenital condition. If someone loses partial or complete function of their hands, for example, plastic surgery employs necessary procedures to heal and reconstruct the affected areas. 

Scope of procedures

Cosmetic surgeons and plastic surgeons use various procedures that have distinct purposes based on patients’ needs. Plastic surgery employs techniques such as skin grafts, which take healthy skin from one part of the body to replace skin that’s damaged or lost due to burns or severe injuries. Vacuum therapy is an additional technique used to heal wounds faster by using suction. Further, skin flap surgery repairs more complex injuries by moving living tissues from one area to another. Lastly, tissue expansion is a procedure used to stretch the surrounding skin, encouraging it to grow and provide additional tissue for reconstruction after surgery. 

Cosmetic surgery applies procedures such as breast augmentation and reduction, which uses implants or fat grafting to modify the size and shape of breasts. Liposuction removes excess fat to reshape the body, while tummy tucks tighten the abdominal area after significant weight loss or pregnancy. Rhinoplasty is used to reshape the nose, and facelifts address unwanted wrinkles and sagging skin by tightening the face. This field also offers minimally invasive treatments, such as Botox and dermal fillers, that offer more subtle improvements with shorter recovery times compared to traditional surgeries.

Training and education

Both cosmetic and plastic surgery require extensive training and education before individuals can begin practicing in their respective fields. Both fields require the completion of four years of undergraduate education, preferably in a medically related field, followed by four years of medical school and an additional four to six years of residency training. 

Plastic surgeons are required to complete a residency program that deals with both reconstructive and cosmetic procedures. The first few years of the residency focus on general surgery procedures, while the last few years are dedicated specifically to plastic surgery.

After completing their residency programs, both plastic and cosmetic surgeons can attend a fellowship program that lasts one to two years. Aspiring cosmetic surgeons need to focus on aesthetic fellowship training to build the right skillset. 

Lastly, both plastic and cosmetic surgeons are required to take distinct certification board exams for their respective fields. Plastic surgeons follow the procedures with the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), which is a member of the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS). Meanwhile, cosmetic surgeons can pursue certification from the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery (ABCS), which is a separate entity from the ABMS.

Salary expectations

Cosmetic surgeons typically have a higher earning potential due to the elective nature of the procedures they perform, which are often carried out in private practice settings. Their salaries can vary significantly depending on factors such as the location of their practice, the demand for services, and the prestige of their clinic. On average, cosmetic surgeons earn between $354,192 and $503,507 annually. 

On the other hand, plastic surgeons’ salaries also vary based on the location of their practice, including hospitals or private practices, demand for services, and reputation. The inclusion of reconstructive surgeries, which are often covered by insurance, can also impact salary expectations. While plastic surgeons generally have higher earnings, their compensation is less tied to elective pricing — as these surgeries are medically necessary. On average, plastic surgeons earn around $442,960 annually. 

Benefits of Cosmetic Surgery

When people decide to undergo cosmetic surgeries, they seek benefits such as: 

• Self-esteem: Rhinoplasty or body contouring can help patients address perceived imperfections, reducing the mental anxiety associated with them;
• Physical discomfort: Breast reduction helps patients feel more at ease with their back pain, relieving physical discomfort;
• Maximize opportunities: Patients may view cosmetic surgeries as a way to enhance their opportunities in public presentations or careers where appearance plays a significant role.

Benefits of Plastic Surgery

With a focus on improving patients’ lifestyles or body functions, plastic surgery has its own benefits for patients who have experienced difficulties with medical issues, such as:

• Restoring functionality: If one has experienced trauma resulting in partial or complete loss of hand movement, hand surgeries will help them restore essential function; 
• Emotional wellbeing: Procedures such as breast reconstruction help breast cancer survivors regain a sense of confidence;
• Quality of life: Plastic surgery significantly improves the quality of life for people with congenital conditions or injuries by restoring function and enhancing appearance.

Choosing the Right Surgical Specialty for Your Career

Choosing the right career is never easy, and certainly does not come without its challenges or dilemmas. Take a moment to reflect, what part of the field excites you or ignites your passion? Do you envision yourself working with people who want to feel more comfortable in their own skin? Or do you see yourself leaning towards life-improving procedures?

Despite the fact that students of both fields need to follow certain educational and practical paths, these hardships help them progress and advance further in their careers. Cosmetic surgeons, at times, may earn higher salaries because their patients choose to undergo procedures voluntarily rather than being driven by medical necessity. They also work in both private and public settings, which contributes to their income potential. Plastic surgeons may also deal with procedures that are covered by insurance frequently.

Both fields have potential for professional and financial growth, allowing you to shape your career based on your aspirations and passions. 

Conclusion

Cosmetic surgeries focus on improvements and enhancements for aesthetic purposes, like facelifts, rhinoplasty, and breast augmentation. On the other hand, plastic surgery focuses on restoring function and fixing any physical issues that come from medical conditions or injuries, such as breast reconstruction after cancer or healing burnt skin. 

Cosmetic surgery is a deliberate decision, with patients choosing to undergo the procedures based on personal preferences. The opposite is for plastic surgery, where patients undergo procedures because they must address medical needs. Both fields offer a strong job outlook; whether you are drawn to aesthetics or reconstruction, the choice is yours. If you are passionate about transforming lives through cosmetic and plastic surgery, take the first step toward your career at the American University of Antigua (AUA) College of Medicine today. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there any age restrictions for cosmetic surgery?

Yes, anyone under the age of eighteen is not allowed to undergo cosmetic surgery without their parents’ consent. Additionally, there are procedures that may require patients to be at least 21 or 22 years old, depending on the state of residence. 

Can plastic surgery be done for cosmetic reasons?

In some cases, yes. Certain procedures, like rhinoplasty, may be done for cosmetic reasons. Nevertheless, this is less common as plastic surgery is usually a medical necessity.

How long does it take to recover from cosmetic surgery?

Depending on the type of cosmetic surgery, patients should put down around 2-3 weeks of rest after such procedures. While some minimally invasive procedures require a few days of rest, others may require up to 12 days.