People often use “plastic surgery” and “cosmetic surgery” interchangeably. While it may be true that both procedures are done to improve a body part’s form and function, there is a very distinct difference between the two.

The main difference between the two terms lies in the patient’s main goals for having the procedure done. There are certain procedures that may boost one’s confidence and self image by correcting a body defect. Some procedures, on the other hand, do so by merely enhancing what is already there.

Strictly speaking, cosmetic surgery is actually a category of plastic surgery. It is different from other types of reconstructive surgery because it caters mainly to the vanity of an individual. You usually undergo surgery in the hope of further improving a body part that already bears a normal appearance.

Your cosmetic surgeon will reconstruct and shape the underlying tissues of a certain body part. This is usually done to remove an unsightly feature or to remove or minimize any sign of aging.

Plastic surgery, on the other hand, generally involves body parts that are not within the normal appearance. Procedures are done both to make the body part look more normal and to make it function more efficiently. Some procedures are usually concerned with correcting birth defects. These involve procedures like correcting a cleft palate, reshaping deformities, and treating traumatic injuries.