plastic surgery - Duegemelle

plastic surgery
Are beautiful people happier?
Is beauty on the inside or outside?
What is beauty to you?
1
china plastic

eaDiNg
plastic surgery:
the history of
plastic surgery
Read the text and then answer the questions.
In the very old days...
The term plastic surgery comes from the Greek word plastikos, meaning to mould
or shape. There are two main types of plastic surgery: reconstructive and cosmetic.
Reconstructive plastic surgery repairs the function and sometimes the appearance
of a damaged body part. Breast reduction, hand surgery, scar repair and tumour
removal are examples of reconstructive plastic surgery. Cosmetic plastic surgery,
on the other hand, is about maintaining or improving physical appearance. The
most common cosmetic surgeries are breast enlargement, liposuction, nasal surgery,
eyelid surgery and abdominoplasty (“tummy tuck”).
Plastic surgery can be traced back to India around 800 B.C., when doctors used skin
transplants in reconstructive surgery. Plastic surgery was also performed in ancient
Rome. Reconstructive surgery was used on wounded soldiers. Cosmetic surgery was
expensive but popular with freed slaves who wanted to get rid of the branding marks
and scars that showed they had been slaves. There was even a book written about
methods for reconstructing ears, lips and noses.
There were no more major developments over the following
centuries. In 1460, Heinrich von Pfolspeundt published a book
with a description of how to reconstruct noses. This involved
taking skin from the patient’s forearm, sewing it onto the nose,
and then binding the raised arm to the nose for up to ten days to
keep it in place. During the Renaissance, techniques developed
further for nose and jaw reconstruction, eyelid surgery and breast
reduction.
Wars and wounds
After another quiet period, reconstructive surgery reappeared
in Europe at the end of the eighteenth century with a series of
successful nasal reconstructions. The term plastic surgery was
used for the first time by a German surgeon, Carl von Graefe,
in 1818. However, the breakthrough for plastic surgery as a
recognized medical discipline came with the First World War. The
war was the first to use large amounts of long-range artillery and
explosives. As a result, many soldiers suffered terrible injuries.
Facial wounds were common, which meant that military surgeons
were given plenty of material to practice on.
2 3
china plastic
abdominoplasty bukplastik
appearance utseende
branding mark
brännmärkning
breakthrough genombrott
common vanlig
damage skada
development utveckling,
framsteg
discipline vetenskapligt
ämne, disciplin
facial ansiktsinjury
skada
jaw haka
long-range artillery
långdistansartilleri
maintain bibehålla, underhålla
mould gjuta, forma
nasal nasal, näsperform
utföra
reappear komma tillbaka
recognized erkänd, igenkänd
reconstructive
återuppbyggande
reduction förminskning
removal borttagning
repair reparera
scar ärr
sew sy
surgeon kirurg
trace spåra
wounded skadad

eaDiNg
The first man to be treated with advanced plastic surgery was a sailor named
Walter Yeo, who in 1917 was given a skin transplant to restore a large area of his
face. Just over twenty years later, another world war gave more opportunities for
improving surgical techniques. Whole limbs were rebuilt. Reconstructive surgery has
continued to develop since then. In 2006, the first successful face transplant was
performed in France.
Cosmetic surgery has always been taken less seriously than reconstructive surgery. In
1907, the first book about cosmetic surgery was published, The Correction of Featural
Imperfections by Dr Charles Miller. The book was criticized by many surgeons,
who did not think this kind of surgery was worthy of the science of medicine. But
although the plastic surgery carried out in the world wars was reconstructive, it could
also be seen as cosmetic. Rebuilding a mouth, for example, improves the appearance
as well as making it easier to eat.
In the post-war years, cosmetic surgery became more available and more acceptable
in society. With no war to give them patients, plastic surgeons needed to increase
demand for their services elsewhere. At the same time, physical appearance
became a more important part of many people’s lives, not least in the USA. Wealthy,
middle-aged women were now the main target for surgeons.
Plastic surgery today
Plastic surgery as we know it today began to take shape in the
1960s and 1970s. Silicone, a fairly new substance in the medical
world, was increasingly used. As a result, surgeons could perform
a larger number of procedures. The popularity of cosmetic
surgery meant that surgeons got more experience, and techniques
were improved. This process continued throughout the rest of
the 20th century.
Today, plastic surgery continues to increase in popularity. In
2010, over ten billion dollars was spent on cosmetic surgery
procedures in the USA alone. Breast enlargement was the most
common procedure. Throughout the last fifty years, the USA
has been the country where cosmetic surgery is most often
performed and is most socially acceptable. Surveys have found
that most Americans would not find it embarrassing to tell
others if they had cosmetic surgery. In Sweden, one in four
women under thirty said they would consider having surgery if
it improved their appearance.
Brazil has the most operations after the USA. More surprising
perhaps, is that China is third on the list. The most popular
operation amongst the Chinese is to make the eyes appear larger.
The next most popular is to make the nose more prominent. In
the West, the typical “nose job” aims to achieve the opposite effect.
geNeral uNDerstaNDiNg
Find the answers in the text.
1. What is the text about?
2. What do we learn about plastic surgery during the First
World War?
3. What does the text say about the difference between
cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery?
4. What do we learn about plastic surgery today?
4 5
china plastic
achieve uppnå
available tillgänglig
consider överväga, tänka
sig
demand efterfrågan
elsewhere någon
annanstans
embarrassing genant
experience erfarenhet
improve förbättra
increase öka
limb lem, kroppsdel
liposuction fettsugning
opportunity möjlighet
opposite motsatt
post-war years
efterkrigstiden
procedure procedur,
ingrepp
prominent framträdande,
utskjutande
restore restaurera, laga
substance ämne
survey undersökning
target mål
wealthy välbärgad, rik
worthy värdig

eaDiNg
Multiple choice
Choose the correct answers.
1. Cosmetic plastic surgery is the term used for
a) surgery to heal severe wounds.
b) surgery performed on the face.
c) surgery that aims to improve the appearance of the patient.
d) surgery that only works for a short time.
2. Which of the following was the most important in plastic surgery becoming
an accepted part of medical science?
a) World War One and World War Two
b) Hollywood
c) The freed slaves of ancient Rome
d) Heinrich von Pfolspeundt
3. Who coined the phrase plastic surgery?
a) Carl von Graefe
b) Walter Yeo
c) Heinrich von Pfolspeundt
d) Charles Miller
4. Plastic surgery was popular with which group in ancient Rome?
a) farmers
b) politicians
c) freed slaves
d) gladiators
5. What is the medical term for tummy tuck?
a) eyelid surgery
b) rhinoplasty
c) liposuction
d) abdominoplasty
6. When was the first book about cosmetic plastic surgery published?
a) 1818
b) 1460
c) 1907
d) 800 BC
7. What example is given in the text about a surgical procedure that could be
seen as both cosmetic and reconstructive?
a) rebuilding of the mouth
b) breast enlargement
c) abdominoplasty
d) liposuction
8. Cosmetic surgery in Sweden is...
a) cheaper than in the USA.
b) of a lower standard than in the USA.
c) more expensive than in the USA.
d) less socially acceptable than in the USA.
9. Why is cosmetic surgery so popular in China?
a) People have more money in Asia.
b) It is relatively cheap.
c) There are more plastic surgeons in Asia.
d) Many women want to look more Western.
10. Which substance made a greater variety of surgical procedures possible?
a) wood
b) asbestos
c) silicone
d) aluminium
BetweeN the liNes
Discuss with a partner. Give reasons for your answers!
1. Why do you think cosmetic plastic surgery is less accepted than
reconstructive plastic surgery?
2. Why do you think women were the main target for surgeons after the world
wars?
3. Why do you think USA is the country where cosmetic surgery is most
common?
4. Why do you think Asians want to look more Western?
6 7

listeNiNg
plastic surgery:
coNfessioNs
over coffee
Zoe and Martina are both thirty-nine years old. They have been friends since they
went to primary school together. The two of them have decided to meet up for a
coffee in a local shopping centre. Zoe has been waiting at the café for a few minutes
when a breathless Martina arrives.
Listen to the conversation between Zoe and Martina.
geNeral uNDerstaNDiNg
Find the answers in the text.
1. What is the main topic of Zoe and Martina’s conversation?
2. What is the big news that Martina does not want to reveal at first?
3. What does Zoe think of Martina’s big news?
fill iN the BlaNks
Complete the sentences from the conversation with the missing words.
1. Alright, I ____________ I wasn’t ______________ shopping.
2. They _______ __________ __________ into my handbag, thanks!
3. Anyway, I needed a treat to ___________ ____________ _____.
4. I don’t know if I have ever __________ ____, but I have never liked my nose.
5. Seriously, Martina, it’s not ____________ or ___________ to be so _______.
8
Multiple choice
Choose the correct answer.
1. Why did Martina turn up late to meet her friend?
a) Her watch had stopped.
b) She had been having an operation.
c) She had been shopping.
d) She had been to a plastic surgery clinic.
2. Where had Martina put the brochures?
a) On the table.
b) In a shopping bag.
c) In her handbag.
d) In her pocket.
3. What did Martina think of her nose?
a) It was too small.
b) It was too big.
c) It was too straight.
d) It wasn’t straight.
4. Martina thinks cosmetic surgery is very popular nowdays.
What does she compare it to?
a) Going for a coffee with a friend.
b) Going to the hairdresser.
c) Going to work.
d) Going on a cruise.
BetweeN the liNes
Discuss with a partner. Give reasons for your answers!
1. Why do you think Martina did not want to say where she
had been at first?
2. What do you think Zoe means when she says that plastic
surgery doesn’t make people happier?
3. Why do you think Zoe wants one of the brochures?
9
bent böjd
bother bekymra
brochure broschyr
chat snack, samtal
cheer up bli glad, muntra upp
comfortable bekväm
confident självsäker
consultation rådgivning
cruise kryssning
exciting spännande
intend to tänka, avse att
jealous avundsjuk, svartsjuk
mention nämna
nosey nyfiken
primary school grundskola
4 – 11 år
saggy hängig
shallow ytlig
symmetrical symmetrisk
treat gåva, njutning
vain fåfäng

speakiNg
plastic surgery:
uNDer the kNife
Susan Dawson is 18 years old and lives in Manchester with her boyfriend Jack, who
is 23. Susan is studying to become a nurse and Jack works as an IT technician for a
large media company.
At Christmas, Jack surprised Susan with a very expensive and unexpected gift – the
money for breast enlargement surgery.
“Oh, thanks,” said Susan. “But why?” “Well, you’ve mentioned that you think your
breasts are too small... and I think a new pair would look good on you,” smiled Jack.
10
Discuss
Discuss in pairs.
1. How would you react if you were Susan? Why?
2. What do you think about plastic surgery?
3. Would you consider undergoing plastic surgery? Why/why not?
4. Would you like to work as a plastic surgeon? Why/why not?
5. Would you ever encourage your partner to go through plastic surgery?
Why/why not?
Discuss in groups.
1. Why do you think physical appearance is so important in today’s society?
2. Why do you think people go through plastic surgery?
3. What do you think the age limit should be for plastic surgery?
4. Are women more worried about their looks than men?
5. Are young people more worried about their looks than middle-aged people?
6. Is plastic surgery a good alternative if your self esteem is very low?
Why/why not?
7. Do you think plastic surgery can make people happier?
8. What do you think people will look like in 50 years’ time?
11

speakiNg
role play
Work in groups of three. Each group should consist of the following roles:
• a teenager (boy or girl) who is unhappy with the shape of his/her nose and
wants to have surgery to straighten it
• a parent (mother or father) who thinks it is a good idea for the teenager to
have nose surgery
• a parent (mother or father) who does not think it is a good idea for the
teenager to have surgery
Act out the following situation:
The family is having dinner when the teenager brings up the subject of his/her nose.
This causes a discussion about looks, money, risks, self-esteem and other arguments
for and against.
Useful words and phrases
according to enligt
anaesthetic bedövning
age limit åldersgräns
bank loan banklån
clinic klinik
fat tissue fettvävnad
finally till sist
financial ekonomisk
firstly för det första
hang-up komplex
improve förbättra
in my opinion enligt mig
infection infektion
insurance försäkring
nose job skönhetsoperation av näsan
operation operation
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physical appearance utseende
remove ta bort, avlägsna
research forskning
risky riskabel
scalpel skalpell
secondly för det andra
self-confidence självförtroende
self-esteem självkänsla
side effects biverkning
stitch stygn
superficial ytlig
surgeon kirurg
survey undersökning
thirdly för det tredje
to begin with till att börja med
unfair orättvis
preseNtatioN
Work in small groups of 4-5 students.
Each one of you should find information about a plastic surgery
procedure and present it to your group. The surgical procedure
could be, for example, breast enlargement or reduction, ear
pinning, liposuction or facelift.
Information should include:
• how the surgery is carried out
• cost
• ststistics
• risks
Each presentation should take approximately 5 minutes. Feel
free to show pictures to illustrate the procedure and to make the
presentation more interesting.
Tips!
Read “Useful tips when discussing” on page xx.
Read “Useful tips when doing a role play” on page xx.
Read “Useful tips on how to make a presentation” on page xx.
13

writiNg
plastic surgery:
cut, sNip aND tuck
traNslate
Translate the following sentences from English to Swedish.
1. Many people are obsessed with their physical appearance.
2. Which part of your body are you happiest with?
3. Cosmetic surgery does not necessarily bring happiness.
4. Plastic surgery can cause a lot of pain and lead to serious complications.
5. Skin transplants are sometimes used for severe burns.
Translate the following sentences from Swedish to English.
1. Vi blir alla äldre och rynkigare.
2. Det finns bättre saker att lägga pengar på än plastikkirurgi.
3. Plastikkirurger tjänar massor av pengar.
4. En del människor åker utomlands för att genomgå plastikoperationer.
5. Min näsa är väldigt stor, så jag skulle vilja göra den mindre.
14
write seNteNces
Write ten sentences in English. Each sentence should contain
at least one of the words in the box of useful words and phrases
below.
letter to the eDitor
Write a “letter to the editor” (insändare) to an imaginary newspaper.
You want to share your views on the subject of plastic surgery.
Tips!
Read “Useful tips on how to write a letter” on page 23 and “Useful
tips on how to write an argumentative text” on page xx.
Useful words and phrases
abnormal onormal
aesthetic estetisk
birthmark födelsemärke
break the bank ruinera (någon)
bruise blåmärke
burn brännskada
conclusion slutsats
defect defekt
disease sjukdom
health insurance sjukvårdsförsäkring
important issue viktig fråga/viktigt ämne
in my view enligt mig
in the media i media
laser laser
marketing marknadsföring
mental health psykisk hälsa
obsession besatthet
pain smärta
recently på sistone
scar ärr
self-conscious självmedeten, besvärad
self-image självbild
shape form
share my views dela mina åsikter
snip klippa av
swelling svullnad
to finish off avslutningsvis
to the editor till redaktören (insändare)
transplant transplantation
treatment behandling
tuck vika, stoppa under
wound sår
15

graMMar
plastic surgery:
aDjectives
aND aDverBs
aDjektiv
Adjektiv beskriver substantiv och pronomen - de svarar på frågan om hurdan eller
hurdant något är: a round table, a tall boy, a Swedish girl, an easy test, a happy camper.
I både svenska och engelska komparerar man adjektiv för att gradera dem.
Regelbundna adjektiv kompareras genom att man lägger till ändelserna -er och the
-est:
cheap cheaper the cheapest
big bigger the biggest
easy easier the easiest
Precis som i svenskan väljer man ibland att använda mer (more) och mest (the most)
istället för att lägga till ändelser. Det gäller framför allt när orden är så långa att de
blir svåra att uttala:
fantastisk mer fantastisk mest fantastisk
fantastic more fantastic the most fantastic
Det finns också ett antal oregelbundna komparationer:
good better the best
well better the best
bad worse the worst
little less the least
far further the furthest
16
practise coMparisoN of aDjectives
Write the comparative and the superlative form of these adjectives:
long, short, high, beautiful, round, wise, low, happy, popular, friendly, red
Now complete these sentences with a comparative adjective.
1. My nose is big, but yours is ______________.
2. Plastic surgery costs a lot of money. It is ______________ than going
on a cruise.
3. I’m not very good at this. You are much ______________.
4. He’s quite bad, but he’s not the ______________.
5. The coffee is very strong. I prefer it a bit ______________.
6. You hardly ever cut your hair. Why don’t you go to the hairdresser
______________ ?
7. Bill was sad before the operation, but he seems a bit ______________
now.
8. Liposuction is not expensive at all. In fact, it’s one of the
______________ operations you can have.
9. This quiz is too difficult! The last one was much ______________.
10. The potatoes are cold. I would like them much ______________.
11. This dress is lovely. In fact, it’s the ______________ dress I have ever
owned.
12. I’m so poor. I have even ______________ money than you.
13. She is even ______________ looking in real life than in photographs.
14. You might be slim, but I am ______________ than you.
15. I’m late for work again. I have to get up ______________ tomorrow.
16. Mr. Jones is a bad surgeon, but Mr. Stone is even ______________.
17

graMMar
aDverB
Adverb kan beskriva många olika saker, bland annat verb, adjektiv och andra adverb.
De svarar t.ex på frågor som Hur? Var? Vart? När? och I vilket avseende?
She sang beautifully.
He moved abroad.
I will definitely be there.
We were pleasantly surprised.
She passed her driving test easily.
He was hopelessly in love with her.
They cheered happily.
De flesta adverb bildas genom att man lägger till ändelsen -ly till andra ordklasser,
framför allt adjektiv:
She is beautiful. (beskriver kvinnan)
She sang beautifully. (beskriver hur kvinnan sjöng)
They are quick.
They ran quickly.
He was very careful.
He walked very carefully.
Det finns ett antal verb som inte beskrivs med adverb. Det är förnimmelseverb som
feel, look, smell, taste och sound samt förändringsverb som become, get, turn och go.
Dessa beskrivs istället med adjektiv:
The sofa feels great. (inte greatly)
You look fantastic! (inte fantastically)
He smells good. (inte well)
The toast tastes strange. (inte strangely)
This sounds bad. (inte badly)
It became obvious. (inte obviously)
She got angry. (inte angrily)
18
practise aDverBs
Translate the sentences.
1. Hon sjöng vackert.
2. Han sjöng högt.
3. Vi lyssnade noggrant.
4. De log lyckligt.
5. Hon ropade argt.
6. Jag sprang tyst.
7. Det var ovanligt bra.
8. Det här är lätt gjort.
practise aDjectives aND aDverBs
Circle the correct word.
1. Dr. Rita is amazing/amazingly good at facelifts.
2. Is that a real/really diamond ring?
3. Is that real/really a diamond ring?
4. Tom was real/really attractive before he got his jaw implants.
5. He massaged my back gentle/gently.
6. This medicine tastes horrible/horribly.
7. This medicine tastes horrible/horribly bad.
8. The operation was bad/badly performed.
9. This fish is wonderful/wonderfully.
10. This fish is wonderful/wonderfully cooked.
11. The surgery is terrible/terribly cold.
12. He walked away with heavy/heavily steps.
13. I have to live very cheap/cheaply this month.
19

QuiZ
how vaiN are you?
Answer the questions, add up your score and find out how vain you really are!
1. How much time do you spend on your looks in the morning?
a) less than five minutes b) five to thirty minutes c) half an hour at least
2. How often do you look at your reflection in windows that you pass?
a) never b) sometimes c) always – I know where all the good windows are
3. What would you do if you won 100 000 kronor?
a) save it b) buy a car or travel c) spend it on plastic surgery
4. How much of your money is spent on clothes, fitness and beauty?
a) as little as possible b) around half of it c) most of it
5. How much does your appearance affect your self-esteem?
a) not at all b) a little bit c) loads, it means everything
6. Do you secretly dream of being a model?
a) no way – boring b) nice money, but no... c) yes, yes, yes
7. Do you read fashion and beauty mags and blogs?
a) certainly not b) it happens c) all the time
8. Do you think about what you eat?
a) yes, it’s got to taste gooood b) a bit c) I’m on a lifelong diet!
9. How well do you think you will handle getting old?
a) no problem b) I don’t mind a few wrinkles c) I will panic!
10. What do you think about when you meet new people?
a) nothing special b) what they are like c) what I look like
Add up your score:
• Mostly a’s: You’re not very vain and not very likely to become a plastic
surgery addict. Keep enjoying life!!
• Mostly b’s: Relax – you’re like most people. You may be a little bit vain, but
you probably don’t let your looks rule your life.
• Mostly c’s: You’re in the danger zone of being too vain for your own good.
Think again – is it really that important?
20
Transcription Listening comprehension
(teachers only)
Zoe: Where have you been?
Martina: Sorry, Zoe. I had some things to do.
Zoe: Oh, that sounds mysterious. Tell me more!
Martina: Nothing exciting, I’m afraid. A bit of shopping.
Zoe: It must have been a small bit of shopping. I can’t see any bags.
Martina: Aren’t you the nosey one? Alright, I suppose I wasn’t exactly shopping. I just picked
up some brochures. They fit very nicely into my handbag, thanks!
Zoe: Brochures?
Martina: Yes, brochures. You know my birthday is coming up soon. Forty. We are getting old,
aren’t we Zoe? Anyway, I need a treat to cheer myself up. The brochures are just ideas about
how to treat myself. Ok?
Zoe: Ideas about how to treat yourself?
Martina: Yes. If you must know, I got the brochures from a plastic surgery clinic. So now you
know how I intend to treat myself.
Zoe: Are you serious? You look great. There is nothing wrong with you.
Martina: I don’t look great. And I feel less and less great as the years go by.
Zoe: Yes, but that’s life. We get old. You are going to be getting older for another fifty years. Deal
with it. What are you going to have done?
Martina: I’m not going to try and turn back time. Not a facelift or anything like that. I don’t
know if I have ever mentioned this, but I have never liked my nose. It’s sort of bent. It bothers
me every time I catch sight of my reflection or see a photo. And, as you say, I have hopefully got
a few years left in me yet. What better present than getting a more symmetrical face?
Zoe: I’m sorry, that just sounds so shallow. Your face is more symmetrical than most people’s.
There is nothing wrong with your nose. I have honestly not once thought about your nose in
the thirty years we have known each other. What a waste of money! It must cost thousands.
Martina: It’s not as expensive as you would think. And it’s my nose! I can do what I want with
it. If I spent my money on a cruise you wouldn’t have a problem with it. And when the holiday
was over I would have nothing to show for it.
Zoe: Not if you spent the whole time in your cabin looking at your nose! Seriously, Martina,

it is not right or healthy to be so vain. I wish my breasts weren’t so saggy, but I can live with it. If
you get your nose done you will only find something else to worry about. Plastic surgery won’t
help you feel better about yourself or your life.
Martina: I am happy with myself. Apart from my nose, of course. And a feeling of getting old. It
really isn’t such a big deal. Lots of people have cosmetic surgery these days. It’s no more dramatic
than changing your hairstyle.
Zoe: But what if you don’t like your new nose? Or if the operation goes wrong? I have heard some
real horror stories. A bit more risky than a trip to the hairdressers!
Martina: You are talking about twenty or thirty years ago. It’s all very professional now. I will have
a long chat with the surgeon before the operation. A consultation. So I will have a good idea of
what I will look like afterwards. I think it’s strange that you have such strong feelings against this.
Why shouldn’t I do what I want with my body?
Zoe: You are free to do as you please, of course. I just think people would be much happier if they
learned to accept themselves as they are. People that are comfortable about themselves look more
attractive.
Martina: That is exactly why I want a nose job. It will make me happier and more confident. Do
you know what I think, Zoe? I think you are a little bit jealous. You look fine, but you would like
to look a bit better. I think you are too scared to do anything because of what people would say or
think. So you pretend cosmetic surgery is wrong in some way.
Zoe: Now you are being silly. We should talk about something else. How are things at work? Oh,
but before you answer, is it all right if I take one of those brochures for the clinic? I just want
something to read on the bus…
Useful tips on how to write a letter
There are many different types of letters and many different ways of writing them. Here are a
few tips on how to write letters in English:
Addresses
The sender’s name and contact details should usually be included and can be placed in the top
right corner of the letter. In formal letters, the receiver’s name and contact details are often
placed on the left.
Date
The date can be placed in the top left corner, above the receiver’s contact details, or on the right,
below the sender’s contact details. There are a few different ways of writing dates in English:
24-12-2013
24th December 2013
December 24th, 2013 (American English)
12-24-2013 (American English)
Greeting
The most common way of starting a letter is “Dear …”. This is used for both informal and
formal letters: “Dear Anne”, “Dear Mr Jones”. “Dear Sir” or “Dear Madam” is used if you do not
know the name of the person you are writing to. “Dear editor” is a common way of starting a
letter to a newspaper or magazine. “Hi” can be used in informal letters. Sometimes a letter is
not aimed at anyone in particular, for example a letter of recommendation written by a former
employer or teacher. In those cases it is common to start with “To whom it may concern”. In
English you always put a comma after the greeting phrase, never an exclamation mark.
Ending
There are different ways of ending a letter, depending on who you are writing to and what type
of letter it is:
“Love” is often used in informal letters between friends and family.
“xxx” is sometimes added to mark kisses.
“Cheers” and “All the best” are sometimes used in informal letters.
“Regards” and “Best regards” are half-formal endings that can be used in many types of letters.
“Yours faithfully” is used in formal letters when you do not know the name of the receiver.
“Yours sincerely” is used in formal letters when you know the name of the receiver.

Bildförteckning Plastic Surgery
1 iStockphoto
3 Dr. J. Mason Warren, Harvard Medical Library
4 okänd/WikiCommons
10 iStockphoto
13 iStockphoto