Plastic surgery consultations and procedures rise in summer: focus on wound care and recovery
Date posted
Plastic surgery specialist at JAYJUN Plastic Surgery & Dermatology Clinic Dr. Park Cheolheum, Director
Summer was once regarded as the low season for plastic surgery. People worried that high temperatures and humidity could increase inflammation or infection at the surgical site, and that sweating would make wound care difficult. Advances in surgical techniques and medical technology have gradually changed this perception.With shorter recovery times and more systematic management of swelling and pain, more people are planning plastic surgery regardless of the season. Summer, when school breaks and vacation periods coincide, is even chosen by many as a suitable time because it allows enough time for recovery.
Well-equipped indoor cooling makes it easier during summer to limit strenuous outdoor activity and get enough rest while recovering. Students can use school holidays and employees can use vacation time to recover before returning to their routines, which is seen as a seasonal advantage.
Preferred procedures also differ by age group. Double-eyelid surgery is a common choice among people in their teens and 20s. It can be performed with an incisional or non-incisional technique. The non-incisional method creates a crease using sutures and has a relatively quick recovery, while the incisional method can also address sagging skin and fat and is used when a more defined eye appearance is desired. The technique should be chosen according to the individual’s eye condition, skin thickness and amount of fat.
People in their 30s and 40s are particularly interested in rejuvenation procedures with relatively short recovery times, including skin treatments, lifting procedures and under-eye fat repositioning. By redistributing protruding fat, under-eye fat repositioning improves puffiness and dark circles, may reduce a tired appearance and generally offers a relatively quick recovery. Working adults continue to choose these options in hopes of a natural improvement during their vacation time.
Among people aged 50 and over, demand is growing for operations that consider functional improvement as well as cosmetic changes. Upper and lower blepharoplasty can address loose eyelids and sagging under the eyes, help clear the field of vision and offer a more defined, youthful impression. Facelift surgery, which improves sagging facial contours and deepened nasolabial folds, also continues to attract interest among middle-aged and older adults.
Dr. Park Cheolheum, director at JAYJUN Plastic Surgery, said: “People used to avoid plastic surgery in summer because of heat and sweating. With major advances in surgical techniques and recovery care, the season itself no longer determines the outcome. However, summer brings more outdoor activity and UV exposure, so it is especially important to follow the medical team’s guidance on wound care, sun protection and sufficient rest.”