The future of virtual reality still remains uncertain at this time. Some interesting advancements are being made in the medical sector. Especially where plastic surgery is concerned, things will get very interesting over the coming years. So far, it has proven to be a valuable and viable tool in terms of dealing with faces being “destroyed” by such surgeries.
Plastic Surgery and Virtual Reality
There has been a correlation between plastic surgery and innovative technologies. That trend became apparent several years ago and is still visible today. As such, it is only normal experiments with virtual reality technology play an increasing role of importance these days. Dr. Sean Kelishadi is in the process of recreating patients after accidents with cosmetic procedures. This is done through VR and 3D printing measures.
One interesting field of study comes in the form of breast augmentation. Patients can gain better insights as to how the “new product” will look and feel. By accurately 3D printing potential cup sizes and combining it with immersive VR technologies, patients can make a better-informed decision. Not all of their desires can come true in the end, as they may not be physically possible.
Dr. Sean Kelishadi explains it as follows:
“I liked the fact that there are very few emergencies in plastic surgery. [VR and 3D printing] further reduce the uncertainty and issues because of the planning, envisioning and experience they enable. The creative aspect of working with these technologies is also incredibly freeing and much different to simply working with a flat screen. Patients are more comfortable and have less anxiety which also helps them heal faster.”
Surprisingly enough, the biggest industry for this technology is “male aesthetics”. Virtual reality can hold a lot of potential when it comes to countering the visible signs of aging, for example. This doesn’t mean virtual reality will hit its stride in the plastic surgery industry over the coming years, but the initial trials appear to be rather positive. For now, it is not much more than a sales pitch, although that situation may change fairly soon.
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