What you should know about marijuana and plastic surgery

Some people take New Year's Eve to another level – here's what you should know about cannabis and plastic surgery.

New Year's resolutions are one thing for some people. There's a huge fitness boost, but about 80% of new gym goers who join in January quit within five months. Some go a different route with a new haircut and follow the motto “I only keep what makes me happy”, others opt for a more permanent change. The holidays, especially after Christmas, are the busiest time of year for cosmetic enhancements. In 2022, over 26 million cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery procedures were performed in the United States. This represents an increase of 19% compared to 2019. As cannabis becomes more popular and in some cases replaces alcohol and tobacco, here's what you should know about marijuana and plastic surgery.

Florida has the most cosmetic surgeries per capita, followed by California, New York and Texas. Three of them have access to legal cannabis, and in California and New York they are exclusively recreational users. Compared to other “vices,” marijuana poses less of a threat, but there are some things you need to know.

Tobacco is the worst for skin and surgeries. Smoking can cause the skin to age faster, resulting in wrinkles, loss of elasticity and pigmentation. It can cause the skin to look dull and discolor the fingers and nails of the hand holding the cigarette. It also makes it harder for the body to heal, which can increase the risk and recovery from infections.

Alcohol can cause the skin to swell. Because it causes inflammation, it can slow healing and increase pain and discomfort. It can also cause the body to be deprived of vitamins and minerals necessary for tissue repair. It also thins the blood, which can make it harder to clot after surgery. This could lead to excessive bleeding after surgery.

Cannabis can actually help the body as it can help reduce inflammation, including acne and hair problems. But if you're scheduled to have a procedure, here's what you need to know.

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) recommends stopping marijuana and CBD use at least two weeks before and after surgery. Cannabis can reduce the effectiveness of anesthesia, potentially requiring higher doses and increasing the risk of complications.

To promote a smooth recovery and reduce risks, patients should disclose any cannabis use to healthcare providers. This includes the frequency of consumption and the type of product use.

Discuss cessation or cessation of cannabis use with your healthcare professional at least 14 days before surgery. You should be able to proceed with surgery two weeks after surgery.

Open communication between patients and healthcare providers is key to ensuring safe procedures and optimal results in plastic surgery.