Vladmir Putin has long been at the centre of cosmetic surgery rumours, and after a recent parade apperance – people are noticing a bout of lumpy filler and smoothed wrinkles
In a desperate bid to maintain his “strongman” image, Vladmir Putin has reportedly spent thousands of pounds on an ever-changing array of cosmetic procedures.
The Russian leader has historically worked hard to emulate an air of leadership, previously being photographed riding horses shirtless as well as engaging in martial arts. But experts claim his latest obsession is with the plastic surgeon’s needle.
Following a string of intense health rumours, investigators believe Putin is using regular injectables and facial-enhancing surgeries to mask the visible signs of aging. While the Kremlin has never commented on the work, onlookers have long pointed to his wrinkle-free forehead, unnaturally plump cheekbones, and altered eye area.
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Russia’s liberal New Times magazine previously raised the question on whether their leader had previously had Botox in an article titled: ‘What has happened with Putin’s face?’. In it, four plastic surgeons agreed that it was likely that Putin has undergone Botox in his forehead as well as an eye-lift on his lower lids, and an injection of firming filler into his cheek bones. But others believe that it’s actually his alleged use of steroids that has altered his appearance.
Rumours surrounding Putin’s cosmetic habits first exploded in 2011, when he turned up to a meeting in Kiev in 2011 with black eyes. The speculation grew so rife, his spokesman issued a denial, saying: “It’s probably just how the light fell. The prime minister is tired.”
By the time the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics rolled around, the public had became convinced the premier had altered his look permanently. Having spent a decade with a relatively gaunt, sharp face, he suddenly had a dramatically plumped, pillow-like appearance.
Cosmetic surgeon Dr Jennifer Owens believes that the world leader’s face could be showing the tell-tale signs of cosmetic work. Despite being 73, Putin’s temples, cheeks and jawline appears “fuller and smoother” – the areas where people usually lose volume as they age.
She told The Sun: “In earlier images he appeared to have more pronounced under-eye bags, and that degree of improvement would be unlikely to happen naturally with age. His temples, cheeks and jawline also appear fuller and smoother despite these areas typically losing volume with age.”
The expert also noted that she believes that he’s had a combination of “surgical and non-surgical aesthetic procedures”. She explained: “These may include lower blepharoplasty to address under-eye bags and full-face muscle relaxants (aka Botox) to soften dynamic lines while maintaining movement and lighten the pull down on the lower face.”
A lower blepharoplasty alone can cost anywhere between £2,000 and £6,000 while botox injections and chin filler could reach up to £1,200 each. Dr Owens also predicts he’s had biostimulators around his temples, cheeks and jawline to help restore structure and fullness in his face by triggering natural production of collagen and elastin. Costing around £800 a pop, often needing multiple sessions, it’s clear the leader is willing to fork out on his looks.
Despite his expensive efforts to look invincible, critics claimed the Russian leader looked notably weak and “decrepit” during a recent military appearance. Observers pointed out his visibly swollen, puffy face during Moscow’s Victory Day Parade in Red Square.
Ukrainian commentator Anton Gerashchenko took to social media to mock the man who has brought war to his country, saying: “The face of a ‘victor’ and the leader of a ‘superpower’. It seems sanctions have even reached Putin’s Botox.”
While fellow commentator Alexey Kopytko said: “At the parade, the centre of attention was not the leader of a superpower, but a tired old man with shifty eyes whom they still tolerate. And he senses it. A short, decrepit man bending under the weight of a burden he can no longer lift.”
