Cosmetic procedures are more common today than they have ever been. People follow beauty trends, skincare routines and fitness habits with curiosity, but they often rely on half-baked information floating
around social media. To understand what is real and what is simply fear-driven hearsay, we spoke to Dr Rajat Gupta, plastic surgeon at Excel Hospital, Delhi, who has years of experience working with modern surgical and non-surgical techniques. What became clear is this: many popular myths push young men and women away from safe, proven treatments that could genuinely help them feel better in their own skin.
Below are some of the most common myths and the real science behind them.
Myth 1: Gynecomastia Surgery Leaves Big, Visible Scars
This is one of the biggest reasons young men hesitate to seek treatment. The truth is far more reassuring. Modern gynecomastia correction uses extremely fine, hidden incisions placed at the side of the chest rather than the front. Advanced techniques such as OCCULT technology allow the gland to be removed internally, without long cuts across the chest. The result is a smooth, natural contour with almost no visible scarring. Most young men return to routine work in a few days and feel an immediate boost in comfort and confidence.
Myth 2: A Facelift Makes You Look Stiff, Pulled or “Overdone”
The overdone look is usually a result of outdated methods. Contemporary facelift techniques focus on lifting the deeper muscle layers, not just stretching the skin. This creates a youthful, rested appearance without changing the person’s natural expressions. When done well, friends notice that someone looks fresher or more energetic, but they cannot pinpoint why. That subtlety is the mark of skilled aesthetic work, not artificial tightness.
Myth 3: Liposuction is a Weight-Loss Shortcut
Liposuction is not meant for drastic weight change. It is a body-contouring procedure designed to shape areas that refuse to respond to diet and exercise. For young people who maintain a healthy lifestyle but struggle with stubborn fat around the abdomen, flanks or thighs, liposuction can refine their silhouette and create balance in their proportions. The results are long-lasting when paired with consistent fitness habits.
Myth 4: Rhinoplasty Makes Everyone Look the Same
A common fear is that nose reshaping creates a “template nose” that wipes out individuality. Modern rhinoplasty actually does the opposite. It focuses on harmony. Surgeons assess the person’s facial features, ethnic characteristics and proportions to create a result that feels personal and natural. The best surgeries do not erase identity; they enhance balance and boost confidence.
Myth 5: Cosmetic Procedures Are Only About Vanity
This is perhaps the most widespread misunderstanding. For many young people, cosmetic procedures address issues that affect emotional well-being, posture, body image or day-to-day comfort. Treating gynecomastia, correcting a deviated septum during rhinoplasty, repairing abdominal muscles after weight loss, these improvements often bring physical relief along with aesthetic changes.
Myth 6: Tummy Tucks are Only for Weight Loss
A tummy tuck is often misunderstood as a shortcut to shedding kilos, which creates confusion and unrealistic fear among young people. The truth is that a tummy tuck is not a weight-loss surgery at all. It is a reconstructive, contour-focused procedure using the signature RG SHARP technique that tightens loose abdominal muscles, removes stretched skin and restores the core after weight changes or pregnancy. People who undergo it are not trying to “lose weight the easy way”; they are trying to repair muscle separation, improve posture and regain comfort in their own bodies. When performed with modern techniques, the results look natural and athletic, not “surgical.” Most importantly, it empowers people to return to regular fitness routines with a stronger core.
With safe technology, better awareness and trained specialists, cosmetic procedures today are far from what old stereotypes suggest. When chosen thoughtfully, they can support confidence, emotional clarity and a healthier relationship with one’s appearance.
