An eyebrow from Madonna, an ear from a wrestler: how flaws turn into virtues
"Fox eyes", deliberately protruding ears, a face without eyebrows, painted freckles — such trends are set by modern fashion. For the sake of "wrong" beauty, girls go under the surgeon's knife, upsetting moms and dads who gave them perfect looks. What consequences await those who constantly reshape their faces, whether hearing deteriorates when changing the auricles, and what are the dangers of painted freckles — in the Izvestia material.
An eye for an eye
Some improvements in appearance for the sake of fashion trends are reversible, while others change the anatomy forever, Kira Kopylova-Lehman, plastic and reconstructive surgeon at the Scandinavian Health Center, warns in a conversation with Izvestia. The now popular "fox" look, the trend set by catwalk star Bella Hadid, can be achieved in two fundamentally different ways. The first is non—surgical, when a raised corner is created using threads or fillers (gel). But such procedures have a temporary effect.
— The second method is surgical: an operation that changes the anatomy of the face. In this case, lateral canthoplasty or cantopexy is most often performed: the surgeon tightens or moves the ligament holding the outer corner of the eye (the lateral canthal ligament). After the operation, the form remains forever and will not return by itself," says the interlocutor of the editorial office.
The more the shape of the eyes changes, the higher the risks, she warns. The most unpleasant complication that awaits fashionistas is the inversion of the lower eyelid outward (ectropion). With it, the eye stops closing completely, the mucous membrane dries up, irritation, lacrimation and a feeling of sand appear. Sometimes it has to be fixed by repeated surgery.
— There are other complications: a scleral window (when a strip of protein is visible under the iris), eye asymmetry (the most common cosmetic complaint), dryness and a change in habitual blinking, — the specialist lists.
At the same time, the movement of the corner itself does not affect how the eye sees and focuses, the plastic surgeon admits. A threat to vision occurs when the eyelid stops closing normally and moistens the eye. If the surface of the eye constantly dries out and remains unprotected, the cornea begins to suffer.
Kopylova-Lehman draws attention to the fact that the operation significantly affects the appearance: the pulled-up corner changes the entire facial expression. With a successful facelift, the look looks more open and youthful, with an unsuccessful one — dissatisfied or tense, therefore, such an operation is often combined with an eyebrow lift. The more radically the eye shape is changed for the sake of fashion trends, the more expensive the mistake is and the more difficult it is to correct it later. Moreover, cosmetic eye shaping "for fashion" is a fairly young practice, and there is still little data on its long—term consequences, the expert emphasizes. But surgeons have long mastered and perform functional canthoplasty, when the eyelid is corrected for medical reasons.
Does hearing change after ear surgery
The fashion for protruding ears came to us from China. Followers of the trend are sure that this feature rejuvenates, and consider the "lumps" cute, childishly charming.
— The standard operation to change the shape of the ears is called otoplasty — plastic surgery of the auricle, — explains Kira Kopylova-Lehman. — However, most often doctors turn to doctors in order, on the contrary, to press their protruding ears to their heads.
From the point of view of acoustic physiology, the auricle is not a cosmetic element, but a complex frequency filter that forms an individual spatial map of sounds, says Nikita Dikopoltsev, audiologist, founder of Auditory Vision centers.
— The operation to create lop-eared consists in the fact that the cartilage is modeled in such a way as to increase the angle of separation of the auricle from the head, weaken or straighten the natural growth. Changing the shape, especially in the area of the curls and the bowl, changes the perception of the direction of sound: a person will be worse able to determine where the signal is coming from (from behind or above), although hearing acuity may remain the same. Even microscopic changes in the shell relief alter spectral delays," the expert warns.
At the same time, the risks, according to the audiologist, with repeated operations, when the fashion for "lop-eared" passes and you want to return everything back, will be higher due to scarring of the cartilage. When it is displaced or modeled, the shape of the entrance to the ear canal risks changing — it may narrow.
— If the cartilage is fixed too aggressively or a rough scar forms, then the soft tissues can "tighten" the lumen of the passage. It is clear that the more operations are carried out in this area, the higher the risks. However, a competent plastic surgeon should have sufficient knowledge to avoid such complications or be able to cope with them," the source comments.
A separate and truly dangerous story is the so-called "wrestling" ear. We are talking about the auricle, mutilated in fights on the carpet.
— The ear consists of cartilage covered with a thin membrane (suprachondria) through which it receives nutrition and oxygen. Upon impact, blood accumulates between the cartilage and the shell — this is a hematoma of the auricle. The cartilage remains without nutrition, begins to die, and in its place a lumpy scar tissue forms: the same "wrestling" ear, deformed like a cauliflower, explains Kopylova-Lehman.
In this case, the changes are irreversible. The cosmetic defect is accompanied by a high risk of severe cartilage inflammation, perichondritis, which requires antibiotic treatment. But even despite such unpleasant features, there are men who want to voluntarily disfigure their ears in order to look more brutal.
— Intentionally bringing the ear to such a state means deliberately destroying the cartilage. It is extremely difficult to correct the consequences later. Breaking your ears for the sake of fashion is a frankly unhealthy idea, warns the plastic surgeon.
Will your eyebrows grow back after the laser
The main beauty trend of 2026 is the fashion for the absence of eyebrows. Among those who decided on such a change is Madonna herself. Usually, fashionistas bleach their eyebrows, but there are also those who decide to shave the hairs off completely or remove them with a laser. These actions have different consequences.
— When shaving, only the hair is cut off at the skin level, and the root (hair bulb) remains intact, so the eyebrow then grows back as usual, — says Kira Kopylova-Lehman. — But the laser and electroepilation, on the contrary, purposefully destroy the bulb itself. After several procedures, hair loss becomes persistent, and there is a risk that the eyebrows will grow unevenly and then bald spots will form, which then there will be nothing to fill in. The hairs that react to the laser disappear forever.
Experts also pay attention to the fact that a laser working next to the eyebrow poses a real danger.: the beam is capable of scattering and reflecting.
Ophthalmologists warn that using a laser below the eyebrow line is risky. This can damage the eye seriously and irreversibly, even when using protective glasses," the plastic surgeon emphasizes.
The interlocutor of the editorial office also reminds that eyebrows perform not only a decorative role, but also remove small specks, sweat and raindrops from the eyes — the arched shape works like a drain.
— In addition, eyebrows are half of the facial expressions and how the face as a whole is perceived. By completely removing them, a person visibly changes their facial expression," the expert says.
Fashionistas who, before the changes in trends, "wore" wide, painted eyebrows at random, fell into a real trap, because it can be very difficult to get rid of such a "legacy".
— If the eyebrows are first filled in and then reduced, then the skin gets a double load, — says the plastic surgeon. — Tattooing and microblading introduce pigment into the skin, and removing it later with a laser or other methods is traumatic in itself. Permanent makeup pigments often contain iron oxide and titanium dioxide. Under the laser, such paints behave unpredictably: they can darken, turn gray, or gain a foothold in the scar, after which they are even more difficult to remove. It will not be possible to completely restore the skin to its original state.
What are the dangers of painted freckles?
In the last century, freckles were traditionally attributed to the disadvantages of appearance. They fought against freckles very radically — they used unhealthy creams containing mercury compounds as protection against them. Nowadays, a freckled face, on the contrary, is considered a symbol of youth. Specialists also turn to specialists for freckles.
— Freckle tattooing is a type of permanent makeup: the pigment is injected into the upper layers of the skin, imitating freckles. It is often called semi—permanent, but, in fact, it is still a paint in the skin," comments Kira Kopylova-Lehman. — The risks are the same as with any tattoo: infection, allergies, scars, and also an unpredictable color — over time, freckles may turn pink, become too dark or gray.
There is another dangerous moment that few people think about, the expert notes. Doctors usually monitor real freckles and moles over time, monitoring changes in their color, shape, or size so as not to miss early signs of skin problems, including melanoma (a malignant tumor).
— Painted freckles can mask or cover up real formations. And then it becomes more difficult for both the patient and the doctor to notice the alarming sign in time," the surgeon warns.
She advises light-skinned people to be especially careful, as well as those who have many moles, who have suffered sunburn or are prone to keloid scarring. People whose relatives have suffered from skin cancer are particularly at risk.
— It's also not easy to get such a tattoo — the problem is the same as with eyebrows: unpredictable darkening, possible scars. It will take several procedures, and without any guarantee of a complete result. Cosmetics are the safest option. Use washable pencils and tints, as well as henna. And tattooing should only be done by a licensed specialist," Kopylova-Lehman urges.
How surgeons reduce lips
However, there is also good news for lovers of natural beauty: pouty lips are going out of fashion. Owners of expressive mouths also seek medical help.
— The lips are really turning from volume to naturalness, — confirms Kira Kopylova-Lehman. — Most lip fillers are made on the basis of hyaluronic acid, which can be dissolved by the enzyme hyaluronidase. This enzyme breaks down the gel, and the lips return close to their original state in about a week.
But hyaluronidase also has risks, the expert warns. An allergic reaction (rare, but sometimes serious) and swelling after application are possible. Therefore, the procedure should be performed by a doctor who has everything at hand for emergency care.
— It is also important that the enzyme dissolves only hyaluronic fillers. Permanent and biostimulating fillers, especially old silicone, are not amenable to it. It is difficult to get rid of them. In addition, an old or migrated filler sometimes lasts longer than the patient expects," the Izvestia interlocutor continues.
She calls the patient's own adipose tissue an excellent surgical alternative to fillers. Doctors can enlarge lips with lipofilling: the result will be natural and will remain forever.
— The trend has also shifted with noses: from the same neat nose to a result that preserves a person's special features and harmonizes with the face. Surgeons are increasingly trying to keep a natural profile, rather than fitting everyone to a single template," says the specialist.
In the case of lips and nose, the plastic surgeon sees a fundamental difference. The nose is made up of cartilage and bone — surgery changes them forever. It will no longer be possible to "dissolve" such a result.
— Only non—surgical correction of the nose with a filler is reversible - here hyaluronic acid is used again, — says the expert. — But it also has a serious side effect — blockage of blood vessels, since the nasal area is rich in them. This is definitely not a procedure that is decided on casually.
Since not all manipulations with appearance can be played back, Kopylova-Lehman advises you to think carefully when making decisions about your face. When correcting the appearance for the sake of changing fashion, it is better to choose reversible methods.
Why do people change their appearance
Psychiatrist and psychotherapist Alexey Vilkov sees several reasons for people changing their appearance.
— On the one hand, such changes are a way to show yourself, to show your originality, to attract attention, to shock others, to be noticeable. This is typical for demonstrative individuals who, through such self—realization, increase self-esteem and improve their mood," he explains.
On the other hand, as the specialist adds, "alteration" may be a consequence of dysmorphophobia, a disorder in which a person does not accept his appearance. He looks for imaginary flaws in himself and tries to remake himself for the better, or make his appearance more original. Such a pursuit of the ideal can be long, literally endless, and at the same time unsatisfactory.
The psychiatrist attributes the fashion for features that are far from classical beauty standards to the fact that from the point of view of modern standards, originality, naturalness and self-acceptance have become much more important than ideal features. For this, even people with quite ordinary and pleasant facial features change their appearance to a less conventional one.
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