This is discussion archived from a time before the current discussion method was installed.
Space Ace: I find this trope to be a bit of a bitter addition, as cosmetic enhancements are inherently superior to make-up. Your cover will not be blown, for instance, when it starts to rain.
RedBeardSean: While that's a good point, I'm thinking more along the lines of the technology available having advanced to the point where common stage makeup doesn't rely on mere spirit gum and latex foam. My point is: why is the medical professional wasting his time on this when there are hangnails and laser-burn to be seen to?
Space Ace: Well, speaking from a Star Trek point of view, they generally seem to have very calm days. When there are laser-burns about, the stealthy approach is out of the window anyway. And another advantage would be that surgical alteration requires no maintenance.
Alexandra Erin: Does anybody else wonder if Trek doesn't do this because the writers are loathe to admit that the forehead ridges and spotty skin of their aliens could self-evidently be achieved with 20th century theatrical technology. :P
The Gunheart: Well, they do have little hand-held computer thingies that can tell them if you have an infectious disease or a tiny fracture in your arm, so it'd probably be trivial for it to reveal that those ridges on your forehead aren't actually part of your flesh.
