What is the difference between Cosmetic and Plastic Surgery?

Although very similar in procedure, cosmetic surgery and plastic surgery are defined by one major difference that requires them to fall under separate categories. Each can be performed on the face, neck, and body and both have procedures that are surgical and non-surgical in nature, but depending on your goals, the difference of cosmetic surgery and plastic surgery are quite different.

Cosmetic Surgery

Cosmetic surgery is a specific area of medicine that focuses on enhancing one's appearance through surgical and non-surgical techniques. Whether that is a misshapen nose, a weak jawline, or a receding hairline, cosmetic surgery helps those who want to improve their aesthetic appearance that hasn't been caused due to birth disorders, trauma, burns, and disease. Cosmetic surgery is performed when individuals are looking to correct an aesthetic issue that isn't functionally affecting their health.

Plastic Surgery

Plastic surgery is a surgical specialty that aims at correcting defects, again due to birth disorders, trauma, burns, and disease, that cause normal functions to work improperly.

For further clarification, a cosmetic procedure to the nose is a Rhinoplasty; the nose is properly functioning but an individual may not like the look and appearance of the shape or size. A plastic surgery procedure to the nose, like a Septoplasty, can be used to correct a bent or deviated septum that was caused naturally or because of a fracture. The septum is the structure on the inside of your nose that separates the left and right nasal passages, and if it is not how it is supposed to be, it can obstruct your ability to breath properly and should be corrected through plastic surgery.

Expert, double board-certified aesthetic facial plastic surgeon, Dr. Jason Champagne, has years of training and experience in both cosmetic surgery and plastic surgery procedures that can treat either non-functioning areas or appearance issues of your face, neck, and scalp and will individually find the best plan of action depending on your individual goals and concerns.

Please contact our office to schedule a personalized, confidential consultation with Dr. Jason Champagne in order to find out more about which procedures will be best for your goals. During your consultation, Dr. Champagne will answer any questions you may have regarding any of the cosmetic or plastic surgery procedures we offer.