Has Putin had facelift to prepare for presidency?
Vladimir Putin looked ‘positively sleek’ at party conference, prompting speculation he’s undergone plastic surgery
THE CONFIRMATION this weekend that Russian president Dmitry Medvedev will stand aside in favour of Vladimir Putin in elections next year has led to renewed speculation that Putin famed for his "vigorous torso" and action man image, has undergone cosmetic surgery.
Addressing the ruling United Russia party on Saturday, Medvedev announced he would not stand in next year's presidential election, virtually assuring Putin of a return to the post he held from 2000-2008.
As Kremlinologists opined on what another probable eight years of Putin means for Russia's 'managed democracy', others seemed more concerned about the prime minister's appearance.
The question on many people's lips was: has Putin had cosmetic surgery?
At the party conference, Sky News observed, Russia's undisputed number one alpha male appeared to have puffier cheeks while the bags under his eyes that were clearly visible months ago seemed less prominent.
Beauty writer Alice Hart-Davis said in the Times: "Putin has often had a rather lean-and-hungry look but at the weekend he looked positively sleek. He was lightly tanned and smooth-skinned, as if he has enjoyed a long and restful summer holiday, with enough food and rest to fill out the contours of his face and... eradicate his eye bags. Hang on. Where ARE those eye bags?
"Could he have had his face tidied up a bit in advance of his bid to reclaim the presidency next year?"
As the Daily Telegraph points out, we've been here before. In October 2010, Putin attended a press conference in the Ukraine wearing make-up that appeared to be an attempt to hide heavy bruising around his eye. Although there were cries of cosmetic surgery, it was explained by a spokesman as "tiredness".
So has he or hasn't he? Earlier this month, Russia's liberal New Times magazine published a story based on interviews with cosmetic surgeons.
Their verdict was that Putin had probably had Botox injected into his forehead, an eye-lift on his lower lids, and firming filler introduced into his cheek bones. ·
