Fact or Fiction? 3 Common Myths About Cosmetic Procedures—Debunked

With the rise in popularity of plastic surgery, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to discern fact from fiction. Some people are open about what they’ve had done. Others aren’t so forthcoming, making it hard to know who’s done what.

But deciding who should be your surgeon is oftentimes more important than what you’re having done. Finding an honest, reliable, and qualified doctor is key to ensuring your best outcome. In some cases, surgery might not even be necessary.

“We’re not about the sales pitch,” says Dr. Russell Babbitt, the owner of Plastic Surgery of Southern New England, who considers himself an artist first and a doctor second. This board-certified plastic surgeon is also the president of the New England Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons—a title that he takes very seriously. “You want a plastic surgeon, not a cosmetic surgeon,” says Dr. Babbitt. “That’s my first tip. Secondly, are they in demand? Do they have happy patients? Are those patients referring to their friends? These questions can be more insightful than their best before and after photos,” Dr. Babbitt says. Known for his honest recommendations and attention to detail, Dr. Babbitt draws patients from around the world to his Fall River office, located just an hour south of Boston.  

Dr. Babbitt also credits his staff for his success. “Our job as providers is to prepare and support you in every step of your surgical journey,” explains Laura Hilliard, PA-C. Hilliard herself is a patient of Dr. Babbitt’s and chose to work with him after experiencing incredible results. “Ask us questions—I promise there isn’t a thing that I haven’t been asked,” she says.  

We took Laura up on that offer and asked the staff for three of the most common misconceptions they frequently debunk in the office.  

 

Myth #1: Injectables will always lead to an unnatural look.  

We’ve all seen the celebrities who have taken injectables a little too far—and the results are anything but natural. You’ve seen frozen faces and over-inflated lips, but the truth is, these unnatural looks take a lot of product to achieve. It’s not something that happens quickly. At Plastic Surgery of Southern New England, the approach is natural, with a focus on making you look refreshed.  

“Aesthetic injectables are meant to restore and enhance your natural beauty—you shouldn’t end up looking like a caricature of yourself,” explains Brandi Whipp, an established aesthetic nurse on Dr. Babbitt’s team. “There are so many people having these treatments done, and you would never know because the best aesthetic results are undetectable.”  

That said, who injects you is critical. “It’s important to make sure you are going to a licensed medical professional who has your safety and best interest in mind when choosing to have these treatments done,” says Whipp. “Someone who isn’t afraid to tell you no when they don’t think a treatment is right for you.”   

Myth #2: Mini procedures are the best option for a cheaper, quicker fix.  

You may have seen advertisements for “mini” procedures on TikTok, Instagram, or even in the pages of popular magazines. These so-called “mini” procedures often boast a shorter recovery, quicker turnaround, and oftentimes, lower prices. But, buyer beware! “The longer I have been in practice, the more I have come to believe that using the term “mini” in the context of plastic surgery is unhelpful and potentially misleading,” says Dr. Babbitt, who finds that there’s nothing “mini” about these procedures. Like any surgery, mini procedures carry risks of bleeding, infection, and scarring. Moreover, there’s little consensus among board-certified plastic surgeons regarding what qualifies as a mini procedure. 

“This framing oversimplifies the reality of surgical interventions and overlooks the importance of individualized treatment,” adds Dr. Babbitt. “In my opinion, it’s just a marketing term that needs to go away.”  

Myth #3: Even noninvasive cosmetic procedures are painful.  

One of the biggest concerns that patients have when undergoing noninvasive aesthetic procedures is pain or discomfort. Luckily, advancements in cosmetic procedures have significantly minimized pain. From microblading and microneedling to lip blush and lasers, each procedure has a specific numbing and healing protocol, utilizing creams like Lidocaine and Pro-Nox (laughing gas) to make patients feel as comfortable as possible while undergoing a procedure.  

“Almost every client that has been in my chair has said, ‘Wow! That wasn’t as bad as I thought it was going to be,’” says Kristina Fazzina, licensed esthetician at Plastic Surgery of Southern New England. “Pair that with gorgeous, long-lasting results and little down time? I’m here for it!” Fazzina also adds that you may be surprised by how effective these noninvasive procedures can be in redirecting the eye. Sometimes better brows or a reduction in a scar can make all the difference in how you feel when you look in the mirror.  

Plastic Surgery of Southern New England offers patients a state-of-the-art, 7,000-square-foot facility devoted to aesthetic and wellness treatments. Dr. Babbitt specializes in aesthetic and reconstructive surgery of the breast, face and body, with a special focus on breast implant revision and secondary cosmetic breast surgery.  For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit DrBabbitt.com.

This is a paid partnership between Plastic Surgery of Southern New England and Boston Magazine