Science and art are often considered as disciplines with little in common. Science is the systematic and theoretical construction of knowledge¹, whereas art is the intuitive and expressive construction of one’s creativity. Science has a rational approach to the world and strives to eliminate ambiguity. Art, on the other hand, has an emotional approach not only to the world, but also to the individual. Art is subjective, and open handedly welcomes ambiguity.

Despite their differences, however, science and art are inextricably interwoven. “The greatest scientists are artists as well,” said Albert Einstein, who explained that the source of his insights has always been abstract images, feelings, and even musical patterns, instead of logical symbols or mathematical equations². Take aesthetic science for instance. Each canvas is unique, living, and breathing. It becomes a permanent representation of the work of the surgeon. As each canvas even has the ability to hold their own aesthetic value and agenda, a “successful result” becomes rather subjective. Thus, having the “artistic eye” is as equally important as having the scientific knowledge to achieve the sense of harmony that both the surgeon and subject desire.

However, when we look further into cases of aesthetic and cosmetic procedures, it can be seen as straying away from evidence-based knowledge is one of the main causes for complications. For instance, research shows that more and more patients request cosmetic procedures to look better on social media³, caused by the plethora of filters available on mobile applications. These filters blur the line between reality and fantasy, leading patients chase an ideal that even surgeons with an “artistic eye” cannot even fulfill. In this case, the logical and scientific judgement of the experienced surgeon is necessary.

So, we turned to our experts for deeper insight.

Felipe Massignan (Plastic surgeon, Brazil)
“Artistic learning is the secret of growth. This refinement is fundamental. After this evolution, the training allied to technology is the perfect union. The possibility of handling tissues without damaging them, drawing them in three-dimensional form is more important than the quantity executed, since this concept is not in the contemporary scientific rules. Few professionals see this. In fact, the superficial anatomy knowledge has existed for 500 years, plastic surgery a century ago and high-definition body surgeries for 15 years.”

Daniel Cassuto (Plastic surgeon, Italy)
“Medical knowledge is based on facts and it is objective. The artistic eye is a subjective opinion and is subject to vary according to current trends: it should be confined to art.”

Maurice Nahabedian (Plastic surgeon, United States)
“Most physicians have the technical skills to deliver good outcomes; however, having an "artistic eye" is critical when it come to achieving superb outcomes on a consistent and predictable manner. All patients are different and each patient must be individualized to correct the subtle nuances that escalate outcomes from good to great.”

Foad Nahai (Plastic surgeon, United States)
“I think judgement followed by technical ability are two of the most important assets or attributes of a good surgeon. An artistic eye is important but without judgement, knowledge and technical ability it is a rare surgeon with an artistic eye that can produce a good result.”

Barbara Hersant (Plastic surgeon, France)
“Theoretical and practical medical knowledge is the most important. I think having knowledge in psychology and sociology is also very important in the field of aesthetics.”

References
1. Choi, Jeongho. “Cosmetic Surgery: Is It Science or Art?.” Archives of plastic surgery vol. 42,5 (2015): 672-4. doi:10.5999/aps.2015.42.5.672
2. Calaprice, Alice. (Ed.). (2000). The Expanded Quotable Einstein. Princeton, N. J.: Princeton University Press.
3. Heron-Lagton, Jessica. “People are Getting Surgery Younger Than Ever Before.” Dazed Beauty, 29 Mar. 2019.