Category: Cosmetic Surgery

In today’s society, the vast majority of people can be discontent with the way they look, resulting in millions of people choosing to get medical procedures in order to change their characteristic appearance. Cosmetic surgery is carried out by using clinical and surgical strategies, which can sometimes result in complications and dangers that patients must be aware of prior to deciding to have a procedure. However, cosmetic surgery can have several benefits for individuals such as improving mental self-view, common excellence, and well-being in order to bring out the best in life through upgrading appearances.

Individuals who choose to undergo cosmetic surgery usually have more confidence in themselves, making them feel less self-conscious and more comfortable with how they look and making them feel better overall. This can massively affect somebody’s life by allowing them to feel better about themselves and have more certainty. It is important to have self-love and having a procedure done to change a certain feature, can change someone’s life as a whole. The main idea of this surgery is to improve the patient’s well-being by modifying their body image which is the mental picture that individuals have of how they appear to others. Cosmetic surgery enhances people’s appearance to their desired looks, which can greatly boost individuals and allow them to be self-assured and have confidence in themselves in their daily lives.

Nowadays it’s completely normal for people to be insecure about how they look and may have certain features they would like to change. However, after getting one successful procedure done and they are happy with the outcome, some individuals will then continue to look for imperfections in themselves and will therefore want more surgery to change more flaws as they know that their appearance can be even better. In some cases, people can get addicted to cosmetic surgery by constantly wanting to change the way they look. As soon as cosmetic surgery becomes the solution to negative self-perception, some people will try and sign up for as many surgeries as they can afford. Some people do this if they are inspired by a celebrity and want to look like them to improve their self-esteem. Depending on the surgery, wounds can take weeks or even months to heal. Those suffering from surgery addictions are at high risk of opioid abuse due to their poor image and low self-esteem. Many people who have this procedure done are not satisfied with how they look afterward and start to regret their decisions. This can lead to people getting more operations to try and fix their previous ones which can sometimes turn out unnatural and can make individuals feel even worse about themselves.

Both men and women are becoming increasingly concerned about their physical appearance and are always seeking cosmetic enhancement due to wanting to feel better about themselves. If the procedure turns out to be successful, it can lead to enhanced self-esteem, confidence, and a change of attitude in the person. Studies have shown that most people are generally satisfied with the end results of their surgery. Other studies have also shown that in reality, rather than boosting someone’s self-esteem and confidence, undergoing cosmetic surgery is more likely to decrease levels of depression and anxiety, which can help to improve people’s mental health. This can have a massive impact on individuals as most people who choose to have cosmetic surgery are often self-conscious about themselves and they might have been used to hiding themselves away from other people because they don’t like the way look. However, people’s mental health is very important at every stage of life, and changing a certain feature in someone can really benefit people as it can improve health and appearance.

Today, social media has a huge impact on people’s daily lives. There have been greater numbers of individuals having cosmetic procedures because they want to look the same as others on social media. There are a variety of apps such as face tune and photoshop that allow users to alter their facial features to improve their appearance. This can then lead to young people feeling less satisfied with the way they look and want to look like the influencers they see on social media. Over the past years, it has become apparent that social media is influencing beauty trends and the way we see ourselves and constantly looking at filtered images on social media which can lead to unrealistic expectations of what can be achieved. ‘Cosmetic surgery has become an increasingly popular way of enhancing one’s appearance with around 30,000 procedures being carried out last year according to the British Association for aesthetic surgeons’ this highlights that the social environment has a significant influence on individuals’ desire to have cosmetic surgery. Research shows that social media negatively affects people’s perception of their body image.

Cosmetic surgery has increased in popularity over the years for a variety of reasons, whether it’s to fix a condition or simply to improve a person’s appearance. Studies suggest that surgery causes a mood boost and patients could experience more joy in life, a higher sense of satisfaction, and greater self-esteem. Those who have had cosmetic surgery procedures have experienced less anxiety and have felt much healthier overall. Some studies have shown that self-perceptions of physical attractiveness do relate strongly and positively to happiness. Overall, cosmetic surgery will help people feel more attractive which should improve their satisfaction and self-esteem. Having a higher sense of satisfaction with their physical appearance can influence positivity and can greatly improve their quality of life. As a result, individuals who believe they look good and love themselves for what their identity is will undoubtedly have an uplifting attitude toward how they view themselves.

With any medical procedure, patients need to be aware that there could possibly be hazards involved and that the surgery could go wrong. Unfortunately, not all cosmetic surgeries are successful. This can have a huge impact on people as cosmetic procedures are irreversible and could possibly cause damage that cannot be mended. Mistakes during this type of surgery are rare and when complications occur, it can make individuals even less confident than they were before surgery as it cannot return to ordinary. Tragically, sometimes individuals have significantly more issues afterward which can aggravate people as it can be difficult for confusion to be fixed. However, when a medical mistake happens during a cosmetic procedure, the patient can suffer serious consequences such as disfiguring scars to life-threatening infections. In some cases, the complications can sometimes be fatal. Everybody who undergoes cosmetic surgery hopes for the best results afterward, but before getting anything done, it is important to think about the dangers it may cause. In addition, cosmetic surgery complications are uncommon, according to a 2018 review of over 25,000 cases, mistakes occur in fewer than one percent of outpatient surgeries. However, in the United States, millions of plastic and cosmetic surgery procedures are performed every year, with around two deaths in every 100,000 surgeries. Would you put your life at risk and undergo cosmetic surgery?

In addition, cosmetic surgery can improve someone’s life completely, for example, by enhancing appearance, or improving an individual’s mental and physical health. However, surgeries are not generally certain, resulting in a possibility of addiction, encouragement of social media, or difficulties that cannot be mended. Altering somebody’s natural appearance to their desired looks can greatly impact individuals and bring out the best throughout everyday life. Overall, having a higher feeling of fulfillment with your physical appearance can influence positively and can greatly improve individual personal satisfaction and quality of life.

South Korea: Plastic Empire

Cosmetic Surgery is defined by the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery as, “…procedures, techniques, and principles [that] are entirely focused on enhancing a patient’s appearance (Cosmetic Surgery vs Plastic Surgery). Unlike its counterpart, reconstructive/plastic surgery is one and the same; it is defined as a specialty to correct or reconstruct flaws and/or defects that someone may have due to birth, trauma, or sicknesses. According to the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, South Korea ranked third, behind the United States and Mexico as the leading countries of total cosmetic procedures performed in 2015 (ISAPS). Despite outstanding figures, these numbers don’t take into account clinics or salons that don’t report their statistics accurately or at all. Many of these establishments are also privately owned and are not covered by South Korea’s national health insurance. Included in the summary of statistics that year, South Korea had the highest per capita ratio of procedures. At this rate, Korea is becoming the Mecca of all things plastic and patients are only getting younger by the years. Considering the popularization of cosmetic Surgery in South Korea, the immediate and long-lasting effects will undoubtedly damage past, present, and future generations via the foundation it began with along with its enforcer K-Pop, the physical risks that come with going under the knife, and the standardization of physical appearance which affects one’s identity and the idea of self.

Plastic surgery began in South Korea due to the Korean War that lasted from the 1950s to the early 1960s. American forces were occupied in Korea offering free reconstructive surgery to maimed Korean victims of the war. Chief Plastic Surgeon of the Marine Corps at the time, David Ralph Millard, is responsible for beginning the double-lid surgery craze. It was offered to comfort women and/or Korean women getting married to American soldiers in hopes that their rounder eyes would appeal more to American men. In 1964, Dr. Millard wrote, “… the absence of the palpebral fold produces a passive expression which seems to epitomize the stoical and unemotional manner of the Oriental.” Millard expressed how Asian women without the fold were problematic and how Korean brides could be an issue to bring into America if they didn’t serve their men and families with American values. It was believed that “… unless [the wives were] properly Americanized, the women would ‘foreignize’ their husbands and children” (Lee 2015). If they looked the part, then it would be easier for these women to assimilate and/or integrate themselves into society. After many observations and many years, Korean men and women “…seek ideal beauty, now synonymous with ideal normalcy in their society, at great cost–creating a surreal, self-perpetuating cycle” that alone will affect them independently and as a whole ( Kurek 2015). Within the next couple of decades, the Korean “hallyu” or wave began and led the way to a new era of pop culture, one of the major industries being K-Pop.

This new wave of excitement and culture expanded and covered new lands all around the world. It brought in new types of beauty, music, fashion, film, ways of thinking, and more. K-pop began getting popular right after K-Dramas started circulating in foreign countries and catching other people’s attention. Slowly but surely, Korean culture was becoming more popular and prominent in popular culture around the world. South Korean artist, Psy, has “…the most-viewed video from a South Korean artist on YouTube with over 3.2 billion views” (Herman 2019). Since the Internet was readily available for most modern countries and people at this point, it was easier for Korean pop culture to get around and makes its trajectory toward small corners around the globe. Korean actors/actresses and singers became worldwide phenomenons. After reaching idol statuses and fame, “…many young K-pop stars and celebrities… openly admitted to their cosmetic procedures” and also “…[endorsed] and [appeared] in advertisements for Korean plastic surgery clinics through websites and social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, WeChat, and YouTube (Wong 2018). K-Pop artists became what everyone wanted to look like, they were the epitome of beauty and fashion, and with that came an ideal that anyone normally needed to achieve. Ads of plastic surgery and commercials of K-Pop idols became plastered throughout the country and only reinforced the beauty standards that many young and impressionable adults tried reaching for. Before and after pictures of popular stars are extremely common and dispersed throughout the internet. Many also speculate who has had surgery and what type they’ve done. Something that isn’t noticed much is that South Korea is an electronically advanced city with digital ads placed on every block, in train stations, as billboards, and in many other well-populated areas. South Koreans, “ live in a state of intensive digital immersion” at almost all times, and commuting through the city seeing their favorite actors and artists advertising getting procedures, or telling them they’d look better with something done takes a toll on their psyche (Davies 2011). Owing to the fact that artists are adored and looked up to “…the idolization has inevitably spurred the desire for individuals to look as perfect as the celebrities (Wang 2015).

Going under the knife comes with risks and from a country that boasts significant figures every year of those going under the knife, it’s bound to come with competition and reputation. This allows economic growth and chance for employment but it also once again raises concerns and fortifies the idealization of beauty standards. The South Korean government supports medical tourism which in return allows hospitals/clinics to experience high volumes of patients not only in their country but from all over the world. South Korea has a website, visitmedicalkorea.com, that allows patients from all over the world the opportunity to look over package deals that include airfare, surgery, post-op appointments, and even tourism locations to help heal the body. Medical tourism in Korea is incredibly popular, in high demand, and still growing because of how cheap it is compared to surgeons in the West, it also helps that many families in other developed countries have disposable income to allow themselves the cost. To put it into perspective, “ in 2009, Korean medical tourism provided services for around 60,000 medical tourists and in 2017 the total number of international patients was 320,000 (Kim 2019). Many clinics and medical centers cater extremely well to foreigners and with word of mouth and excellent reviews, popularity, and demand have risen exponentially. With this comes many physical risks that can damage those looking to get work done or that have already had something happen to them. There are cases of many unregistered clinics/salons that still conduct and carry out procedures, without a full understanding of the medical processes and/or steps. This carries risks of botched surgeries or procedures taking place that can damage patients physically and mentally. In South Korea, it is not regulated that surgeons need to have a specific specialty or practice. Surgeons are allowed by law to conduct a C-Section on a woman if needed despite not knowing how. Side effects and infection are also common and can come about from unhygienic environments that thousands of foreign patients contract during travel. Unfortunately, all of these issues are very well-known, but because of a lack of data from establishments reporting their numbers, the exact number nor an estimation can be known of just how many patients it has affected throughout the years. There has been zero government reform to this day and many have suffered the consequences of those not willing to perform these procedures the correct way. The success of medical tourism and it’s still growing high demand is all due to advertising, the media, and economic growth that only continues to feed the demand.

The industry most definitely has had its economic pros and has made millions of people happy, but nonetheless, it has many negative effects on the people who have had surgery done. Lack or loss of identity, feeling inferior, and self-esteem issues are only some of the negative, mental, and emotional issues that many must cope with after their big changes. Radical physical changes are sometimes very hard for some to accept. According to research, social appearance evaluations affect self-esteem, and low appearance satisfaction can lead to low self-esteem (Yoon 2015). Many people who have had procedures done at a young age end up having mixed feelings about it, they express not regretting the procedure, only thinking about it more deeply before going through with it. It is also difficult to regain one’s identity after a procedure, especially when many have similar features. South Korea’s collectivist society forces everyone to endure and conform to beauty standards and ideals. As time passes and many women start looking the same and are even called “sisters” because their cosmetic surgeon has the tendency to leave many with similar features, having a ‘unique” look only gets harder and harder. These beauty standards that have been set disallow women to have the liberty in choosing different looks or changing something about themselves that isn’t an exact replica of another woman or an idol. The suffocation of being forced to fit into a mold and being told every day that who they are isn’t enough or isn’t the right type of beauty produces resentment. This resentment follows and builds among women where therein they must look within themselves and try to accept a changed self. Younger patients have an even harder time with the mental outcomes of getting work done at a young age. Korean idols are only getting bigger and getting more fame, this is allowing younger girls that view them to want to change themselves at an even younger rate. Many young girls have also been asked what their plans are regarding cosmetic surgery if their parents can’t afford it and many express that it won’t matter, they will get work done at some point even if they have to work a little more diligently or for a longer period of time. The long-term psychological effects of those who have had procedures done and proceed to have children thereafter are unknown or there is no data on it; they have zero clue as to how they’ll react to the genetic features of their own kids with their pre-surgery features. What will be of the children then?

Globally, many countries have their obsessions with beauty and/or altering themselves to be “better.” Whether it is for a bigger bottom or chest, higher cheekbones, a V-cut jawline, or a tinier nose, countries have made a global business on the dissatisfaction of appearance in both men and women. South Korea is trailing behind major countries in the number of procedures done yearly. The obsession and unintended normalcy of cosmetic surgery have created pressure from family, friends, and professional prospects. There are many factors as to why people want to get work done, whether it’s for status, success, or relationships; it does not change the fact that the pressure and beauty ideals/standards everyone is trying to meet are going to undoubtedly create long-lasting impacts that the world may not see until years down the road.

Works Cited

1. “Cosmetic Surgery vs Plastic Surgery: Cosmetic vs Plastic Surgeons.” American Board Cosmetic Surgery, 4 Sept. 2019, https://www.americanboardcosmeticsurgery.org/patient-resources/cosmetic-surgery-vs-plastic-surgery/.
2. Davies, Gloria, and Gil-Soo Han. ‘Korean cosmetic surgery and digital publicity: beauty by Korean design.’ Media International Australia incorporating Culture and Policy, Nov. 2011, p. 146+. Gale Academic OneFile, https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A275130667/AONE?u=csudh&sid=AONE&xid=9f3b838e. Accessed 16 Dec. 2019
3. Herman, Tamar. “BLACKPINK’s ‘Ddu-Du Ddu-Du’ Becomes Most-Viewed Music Video From a K-Pop Group on YouTube.” Billboard, 23 Jan. 2019, https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/k-town/8494591/blackpink-ddu-du-ddu-du-most-viewed-music-video-kpop-youtube.
4. “ISAPS Plastic Surgery Statistics: Global Plastic Surgery Statistics.” ISAPS, https://www.isaps.org/medical-professionals/isaps-global-statistics/.
5. Kim, et al. “Critical Success Factors of Medical Tourism: The Case of South Korea.” MDPI, Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute, 6 Dec. 2019, https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/16/24/4964/htm.
6. Kurek, Laura. ‘Eyes wide cut: the American origins of Korea’s plastic surgery craze: South Korea’s obsession with cosmetic surgery can be traced back to an American doctor, raising uneasy questions about beauty standards.’ The Wilson Quarterly, vol. 39, no. 4, 2015. Gale Academic OneFile, https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A443058066/AONE?u=csudh&sid=AONE&xid=f49f7b02. Accessed 16 Dec. 2019.
7. Lee, Claire. “Uncovering History of Double Eyelid Surgery.” The Korea Herald, The Korea Herald, 11 Sept. 2015, http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20150911000982.
8. Livingston, Amanda (2015) ‘Plastic Paradise: The Trends & Effects of Cosmetic Surgery Tourism in Economically Growing Countries,’ The Cohen Journal: Vol. 2: Iss. 1, Article 2.
9. Wang, Yuqing. ProQuest LLC, 2015, p. 43.
10. Wong, Ka Yee Janice. “No More Taboo: Discursive Tactics for Navigating the Taboo of Cosmetic Surgery – Ka Yee Janice Wong, 2018.” SAGE Journals, 18 Dec. 2018, https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/2059436418816649.
11. Yoon, S., Kim, Y.A. Cosmetic Surgery and Self-esteem in South Korea: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Aesth Plast Surg (2019) doi:10.1007/s00266-019-01515-1

Coco Chanel once said, “elegance is when the inside is as beautiful as the outside” (Top 20 Coco Chanel quotes). Many people don’t know the difference between cosmetic surgery and plastic surgery. Cosmetic surgery is when someone chooses to change their image because they want to enhance their appearance. For example, breast enhancement such as augmentation or lift, facial contouring such as rhinoplasty, chin or cheek enhancement, and Body Contouring such as Tummy Tuck, Liposuction, and Gynecomastia Treatment. While plastic surgery is to repair defects you are born with at birth or if you have an accident that leads to damaging your appearance. For example, if a child is born with cleft lip surgery, burn repair surgery, scar revision surgery, etc. Therefore, there are many lifelong damaging effects from cosmetic surgery.

For a start, Many people have died during cosmetic surgery. This was the case for a Dallas woman who traveled to Mexico to have cosmetic surgery. She traveled with her husband to Juarez Mexico on the morning of October 30th to get rhinoplasty surgery. Unfortunately, that wasn’t what she got. The surgery was then postponed to the afternoon because the surgeons who were flying in from Guadalajara were running late. In the afternoon she has admitted to surgery the doctors told her husband it will be for hours meaning the surgery will be done at 4 pm. When her fiance, Cruz finally spoke to her husband they told him she was rushed in an ambulance. According to ABC’s news “ Her family later learned that she had suffered complications from the injection of anesthesia” (Frascescani). Imagine being the Fiance who takes their soon-to-be wife to the hospital to make her happy within a couple of hours. Not even, imagine being super excited and anxious to finally look the way you want to but not knowing it will cost a lot more than money, it will cost your life. Instead of getting the image you’ve always wanted the only image you’ll be getting is the image of you being buried.

Moreover, there are people who dream of getting cosmetic surgery and don’t see the consequences or dangers of the procedure. Adianet Galván Gonzáles dreamed of getting a Brazilian butt lift she didn’t think it would be dangerous since her family and many close friends had got cosmetic surgery and are all good today. In fact, she was confident everything go well because many of them used the same clinic, New Life Plastic Surgery in Miami. Sadly, After she had her surgery on June 4, 2018, when she had fat removed from her back and stomach and put into her butt, she ended up in a coma. According to Miami Herald, “ She died three days later at Kendall Regional Medical Center”(Chang). People who have cosmetic surgery put their life at risk. A lot of people see that there’s no danger to it because they see close friends and family who be perfectly fine. Cosmetic surgery can be dangerous during surgery or affect you later on. Most cosmetic surgeons become surgeons for the money since it’s so popular today. The doctor didn’t follow all the needed requirements before performing the surgery on the client. the doctor skipped over the x-rays and other procedures to see if she was healthy for the surgery. Surgeons no longer care about the patient instead they care about the money they get out of it not thinking of the hundreds and thousands of lives that they’re putting in danger.

In addition, there are many dangers to getting cosmetic surgery. Jenelle Salzar Butler wanted a quick fix after giving birth to her son. She was suffering from postpartum depression and lost weight leading up to her insecurities. she later took the number of a man who agreed to inject her butt for 2,000 dollars in cash in a hotel room. She never asked if he was a doctor, or even questioned his job. After the surgery, she recalls having normal itching and initial redness but later on felt fine. However, two or three years later she started feeling pain, itchiness, discoloration, and indentations. A surgeon explained to INSIDER that silicone injections can lead to a stroke, and even death if injected into a blood vessel. The injections can also lead to an infection and granulomas or firm, hard tissue the body develops to wall off foreign substances. Butler immediately proceeded to get them removed once she found this out. People are getting surgery done by anyone who says they will because the doctor gives them a low price. People should be warned once they notice the doctor prices are low and that it’s not in an actual hospital. The client should also do research on the “doctor” who will be performing the surgery. Many doctors take advantage of people who are at their lowest point knowing they’ll do anything to feel better.

Also, cosmetic surgery can be very dangerous leading to not being able to be a mother. Abdominoplasty or ‘tummy tuck’ is a cosmetic surgery procedure used to make the abdomen thinner and more firm. The surgery involves the removal of excess skin and fat from the middle and lower abdomen in order to tighten the muscle and fascia of the abdominal wall. Women had a tummy tuck after her first pregnancy due to feeling insecure about the way her stomach looked. Later on, she got pregnant again and was a lot more obese than in her first pregnancy feeling way more insecure. Therefore, she went and scheduled an appointment a couple of months after the pregnancy to get another tummy tuck. In a month she had a tummy tuck and felt like she was back to normal. Two years later, after her son was born Daylin Frias got pregnant with her third child. She was super excited with her third baby and thought everything will go well since with her other two pregnancies it did. Unfortunately, when she was seven months with her third baby she was rushed to the hospital because the baby was running out of room and air. The doctors told her due to two tummy tucks she lost a lot of skin and doesn’t have enough room to carry the baby. Mothers feel very insecure after pregnancies due to their body image changing. Therefore, they shouldn’t be allowed to have surgery because it’s normal for mothers to go through this stage. Instead, they should go to therapy and be filled with positive support all around. Not only is the baby in danger due to skin loss. So is the mother because the risk of having is miscarriage is higher now that the baby is suffocating.

On another hand, there are people who become addicted to getting plastic surgery. They never feel satisfied and continuously get cosmetic surgery. A mother in Hong Kong didn’t recognize her daughter after having over 20 surgeries in two years. The mother told her 29-year-old daughter she wanted to disown her after being unrecognizable to her. South Korea is considered the capital of cosmetic surgery in the world, with the highest rate of surgery anywhere on the planet. The streets and subway are covered with advertisements promoting cosmetic surgery. The advertisement promotes solving body imaging issues to make people feel insecure so they can get plastic surgery. Some of the popular cosmetic surgery in South Korea is double eyelid surgery, v-line jaw reduction, eye-widening, nose bridge augmentation, and celebrity look alike procedures are increasingly popular. The world instead should promote people to accept themselves for who they are. The only reason why people want to get surgery to change their image is that they feel they aren’t as beautiful as others. Yet, people fell to realize everyone is unique and beautiful in their own way.

Have you ever thought about how much is cosmetic surgery or even how much cosmetic surgery makes in one year? Americans spend hundreds of thousands on breast implants, liposuction, and nose surgeries spending billions to make 2016 the most plastic year ever. An American Society of Plastic Surgeons report found Americans spent more than $16 billion on cosmetic plastic surgeries and minimally invasive procedures in 2016. Breast augmentation outpaced other surgeries with nearly 300,000 operations nationwide. Breast augmentations and the 223,018 nose reshaping surgeries both netted doctors more than a billion dollars in 2016. Liposuction also remains popular, with 235,237 surgeries across the U.S. costing about $750 million. By far the most popular minimally-invasive procedures of 2016 were wrinkle treatment injections, such as Botox because of their national average cost of $385 by 7 million Americans. Americans

Many people argue that cosmetic surgery isn’t dangerous at all and that it should remain legal for those who are insecure and depressed because of their looks. In the world, there are people who are more attractive than others. This leads to people feeling insecure and less than others. According to Driscoll, “When performed safely and judiciously, cosmetic surgery can make up for nature’s deficiencies and offer hope to the disheartened”. However, I disagree beauty is within and not outside. Many people meet someone “attractive” and if the person has an ugly personality they stop speaking to them. It is more important to be a great person. Someone who is caring, loving, helpful, encouraging, reliable, etc. People prefer someone who is “ugly” outside and “beautiful” within.

In conclusion, cosmetic surgery should be illegal it is dangerous and causes lifelong damage. Beauty is within and not the outside. There’s a difference between plastic and cosmetic surgery. Plastic surgery should remain legal because it’s for those who are born with a disorder or suffer later on in life suffer from an accident where their image is damaged. For example, burn surgery, Breast reconstruction after breast cancer treatment, Large breasts that cause back or neck pain, Head and neck plastic surgery after cancer treatment, Nerve injuries, etc. While cosmetic surgery should be illegal since people only get it because of vanity. Cosmetic surgery is dangerous due to it being so popular in today’s world. Society has made a type of “beautiful” and/or “perfect” appearance. This makes humans become insecure leading them into thinking changing their appearance will fix their problems and make them “perfect”. Therefore, in reality, cosmetic surgery leads to death or sick health conditions.

Works Cited

1. Chang, Daniel. “She Dreamed of Getting Plastic Surgery in Miami. Three Days Later, She Was Dead.” Miamiherald, Miami Herald, 13 June 2018, 07:40am, www.miamiherald.com/latest-news/article212958009.html.
2. Driscoll, Sally, and Ann Griswold. “Point: Cosmetic Surgery Offers Hope for the Disheartened.” Points of View: Cosmetic Surgery, Mar. 2016, p. 2. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=pwh&AN=28675212&site=pov-live.
3. Evans, Cameron. “The Photos of a Woman’s Botched Butt Injections Will Make You Think Twice Before Getting Plastic Surgery.” INSIDER, INSIDER, 11 Dec. 2018, www.thisisinsider.com/silicone-butt-injection-jenelle-salazar-butler-instagram-2018-4.
4. Francescani, Chris. “Woman Who Suffered Brain Damage after Receiving Plastic Surgery in Mexico Dies, Family Says.” ABC News, ABC News Network, 24 Nov. 2018, abcnews.go.com/International/woman-suffered-brain-damage-receiving-plastic-surgery-Mexico/story?id=59396333
5. Frias, Daylin. Personal interview. 12 January 2019.
6. “Top 20 Coco Chanel Quotes.” Matchbook Magazine, www.matchbookmag.com/daily/75-top-20-coco-chanel-quotes.
7. “The Reality of Plastic Surgery Addiction More than Skin-Deep.” Drug & Alcohol Rehab in Hong Kong, 19 Aug. 2016, www.thecabinhongkong.com.hk/blog/co-occurring-disorders/the-reality-of-plastic-surgery-addiction-more-than-skin-deep/.

Since the beginning of time, man has always been keen on his appearance and how others viewed him. People with anomalies in their appearance have always been treated differently hence their need to alter their appearance and feel normal. Cosmetic surgery, therefore, is a necessary evil since people will always want to change their appearance so as to be perceived in a particular way. Health engine (2010) explains that cosmetic surgery is a surgical procedure that is done in order to alter how a body part is oriented. Features such as structure, texture, color, or position of a body part can be changed during cosmetic surgery. However, there are some alterations which do not require the surgical approach and are referred to as non-surgical cosmetic surgery.

Critical discourse analysis

Critical discourse analysis is a method that involves assessing what is meant when language is used to describe various concepts. This method is especially important in the discussion on cosmetic surgery because it involves the consideration of terms used in describing cosmetic surgery but which were applied in different contexts. It is a common belief that the scientific approach has always yielded better results when applied in research but in cases that deal with social norms, this might not always be true.

Reality shows are generally an insight into the inner workings of a variety of issues, from celebrity lives to movie production processes, to talk shows among many more. However, the scientific method fails to consider the fact that some of the actors in reality shows might not hold the beliefs that are being discussed at a particular time. Therefore, critical discourse analysis is vital in analyzing the specific context in which certain terms are applied and thus drawing conclusions from it.

Is cosmetic surgery a widespread phenomenon?

In a scene in the reality show, “The only way is Essex”, the character Lauren Pope complains about having PIP implants which she claims are horrible. She further states that more than 40,000 women have them. Chloe Simms, another character in the scene claims that there has been a public uproar and several demonstrations had occurred. Lauren Pope explains that the uproar has been due to an increased rate of the implants bursting and she did not wish to have a bursting implant. She goes on to explain that she had been yearning to change the shape and size of her breasts because she was not pleased by their orientation. Chloe Simms differed because according to her they were nice the way they were. Frankie Essex, the final character in the scene, is moved by the whole conversation between Lauren Pope and Chloe Simms because earlier on she did not understand why there were riots about PIP implants.

According to Chiara Townley (2019), surgical cosmetic procedures have been on the rise in a span of 5 years in America. She further states that statistics released by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons reveal that about 18 million individuals underwent cosmetic surgery in 2018. Chiara Townley (2019), goes on to explain that a study conducted in the United Kingdom revealed that people who undergo cosmetic surgery do so majorly due to low self-esteem, religious beliefs, and media influence. She also adds that although cosmetic surgery is more attractive to women, more men are now engaging in cosmetic surgery. Most cosmetic surgeries are focused on the appearance of the body because most people in society want to have the accepted “normal look”. Therefore more people are undergoing surgical procedures to alter their appearance.

Reality shows have increased over time and have become difficult to avoid owing to the fact that such shows can be accessed in many ways including the internet. According to Kaelia Neil (2016), many people who watch reality shows might not distinguish between what is depicted on television and real life. She further states that the more a person spends watching television, the more what they see on the television seems to be real. Ideally, people should accept how they look and focus on ways of improving their lives. However, society has set certain standards to which all people should adhere in order to be considered normal. Those who do not conform to these standards are put under pressure to be normal. Reality shows to some extent have been a tool used to portray the “acceptable standards”, especially one related to physical features. Kaelia Neil (2016) explains that the way the media portrays cosmetic surgery and its relevance to appearance might be the greatest contributor to the increase in cosmetic surgeries.

It is therefore very evident from the scene in “The only way is Essex” that cosmetic surgery is no longer a touchy subject but a widely accepted phenomenon. When an individual feels that a part of their body is not pleasing, they simply get it fixed via cosmetic surgery. It is so common that sometimes protests arise due to unsatisfactory products used for cosmetic surgery such as substandard breast implants.

Factors affecting the decision-making process concerning cosmetic surgeries

In the second scene, Lauren Pope was accompanied by Chloe Simms to a PIP consultant. In the scene, Lauren points out her desire to replace the breast implants she currently had with even bigger ones as well as change their placement. The consultant assures her that no evidence had been tabled to prove the implants were faulty. After a quick check-up, Lauren is given a breakdown about her implants which she does not like. She then compares her implants with Chloe’s citing that they were much better than what she had. Lauren and Chloe then compare the implant sizes of various media personalities they know.

It is common human behavior to copy things from people they consider to be better than them because by doing so they will be like the person they admire. Thus, it is very common to find people dressing, talking, and altering their appearance to look like certain media personalities. The media has also grown over time, nowadays there is a variety of trending individuals, from movie actors to musicians to bloggers, and social media personalities.

Social media in particular has made it that much easier to access sensitive information about a trending person. In fact, there is more pressure on famous people now than before to satisfy the public’s fantasies. That is why many actors and musicians among many others alter their appearance to keep up with public desire. According to Megan Barnett (2017), social media personalities have been gaining more influence over the fashion and beauty industry, a sector previously dominated by celebrities. She further adds that these newfound social media celebrities trade on relatability rather than looks. Megan Barnett (2017) points out that some celebrities are making a positive impact by demystifying the reasons behind cosmetic surgery. One such example is Victoria Beckham who removed her implants. This gesture is crucial in trying to assist an already perceptive society on the advantages and limitations of cosmetic surgery from the upper side of fame.

Life after cosmetic surgery

In the third scene, Chloe Simms approaches Frankie Essex and shares her idea of getting implants in her buttocks. She shares her deep desire for having her buttocks adjusted, however, Frankie Essex seems to be against it because she hints at several situations that would feel awkward. Chloe then shows Frankie exactly why she feels she needs a cosmetic procedure done on her. Frankie eventually agrees to cite that Chloe’s buttocks are not very attractive after which Chloe promises not to have any more surgeries.

Catherine Ford (2013) narrates a personal experience where she was shocked to discover a close friend had undergone a cosmetic procedure but had kept the incident secret. She further explains that it was quite absurd that her friend had remodeled herself whereas her opinions were against the alteration of natural beauty. According to Catherine Ford (2013), cosmetic procedures have become common but still possess several uncertainties. People who have such procedures done on them often believe they are reinventing their personalities through appearance as well as self-improvement. However, to them, this transformation is supposed to occur without any comment, especially from their friends and family.

Catherine Ford (2013) points out that cosmetic surgery, done especially on older individuals, may be an indicator of their anxiety and personality identity crisis which is why they mostly keep it secret. Some people even go to the extent of having the procedures done in secrecy. However, Catherine Ford (2013) explains that even though most people are still skeptical about cosmetic surgery, it is not right to condemn those who pursue it. People should try to understand where such individuals are coming from, accept them for who they have become and move on.

From the events of the scene, it is evident that Chloe is not confident about her appearance. However, she seeks Frankie’s opinion in order to reassure herself that she is not making a bad decision. Many individuals who undergo cosmetic surgery often grapple with such dilemmas and need support from trusted ones. But, at times striking a balance between supporting a friend’s decision and looking out for what is best for them is difficult. Therefore, when handling such delicate situations one must always remember not everyone has accepted their looks.

Cosmetic surgery and self-perception

In the fourth scene, Diags and Joey are seated in a café waiting for their friend Arg. When Arg shows up, Diags and Joey seem surprised by their friend’s appearance because he seems to be in very good shape. Earlier on they had been discussing Arg’s weight loss because apparently it seemed Arg had been trying to lose a significant amount of weight. Arg had his teeth, eyebrows and eyelashes adjusted. Joey and Diags then enquired as to whether Arg’s new look would be permanent or if he would eventually revert to his previous looks. Arg then reassures them that the look was there to stay and that he had improved himself for himself.

According to Fahemeh Akhlaghi et al. (n.d.), there exist two forms in which an individual views themselves, perceived self-conceptualization and ideal self-conceptualization. Perceived self-conceptualization is the notion that comes about from how a person views themselves while ideal self-conceptualization is an ideal perception a person has of themselves that they strive to achieve. Too much of either conceptualization is considered harmful and individuals who have this problem are considered to be obsessed with themselves therefore a balance should exist between the two. The more these two perceptions differ the more a person becomes confused and negative. This set of emotions leads them to pursue an ideal perception that is considered acceptable by society and cosmetic procedures satisfy this need.

Fahemeh Akhlaghi et al. (n.d.) explains that a flaw in one’s self-conceptualization as well as low self-esteem are the main reasons that may lead one to seek cosmetic surgery. Fahemeh Akhlaghi et al. (n.d.) further explain that changing appearance via surgery may not end in the patient achieving the satisfaction they sought after. The lack of satisfaction with one’s body image may be due to other unrelated mental and emotional factors. Some individuals suffer from identity crises and thus even if cosmetic surgery is performed on them the desired effect will not be achieved. Once such a disorder is corrected, the patient will be in a better state to decide what they want to achieve with cosmetic surgery. Mentally stable persons though are better candidates to undergo cosmetic procedures because they have specific desires which when fulfilled yield satisfaction.

Therefore in the scene, Arg was confident enough to leave his friends in amazement because they expected him to be a shadow of himself. Arg however reassured his friends that all was well with him and that all his efforts were for his benefit. He had undergone a few cosmetic procedures and hence looked different but it was his sense of self-composure that was astonishing. He might have struck a balance between his ideal self-conceptualization and his perceived self-conceptualization during his quest for self-satisfaction. Therefore, for whatever reason an individual may seek cosmetic surgery, the most important aspect to consider is the balance between their fantasies and what they really need. Too much emphasis on one aspect often results in disappointment and eventually low self-esteem.

Risks and misconceptions about cosmetic surgery

In the last scene, Chloe Simms is with a beautician undergoing a glycolic face peel. During the procedure, glycolic is applied to her face which is a bit more painful than what she is used to. Chloe comments about the procedure being a household favorite among the famous especially before major events, to which the beautician agrees. The beautician then proceeds to describe the next procedure which involves injecting Chloe with some beauty product all over her face which will help in her facial appearance. The beautician then inquires about Chloe’s state of mind before she turns thirty and Chloe responds by stating she dreads turning thirty. However, Chloe still has hopes of getting married to a person she really loves and spending a lifetime with them.

Cosmetic procedures in as much as they tend to correct certain anomalies are not always as painless as they may seem. Some complications may arise during the operation which may lead to adverse effects on the patient which may further worsen their emotional state. Natalie Kita (2018) explains that there are numerous risks associated with cosmetic surgery. Some of them include infection, delayed healing, anesthesia dangers, and loss of sensation among many others. It is common knowledge that most celebrities are terrified of aging. Therefore, most media personalities spend a lot of time and persevere through painful and risky procedures in order to “stay in the game” as they like to call it. And since society often looks up to them for guidance on a number of issues, they are led to believe that aging is bad.

It is now business as usual finding people undergoing cosmetic surgeries in order to look a few years younger. Aging in modern society is no longer revered but is considered a weakness, irresponsibility, and outdatedness. Unfortunately, this norm has been spread due to insecurities and misconceptions of trendsetters to grapple with the fact that aging is a natural irreversible process. Rather than continuously perceiving aging as a vice, celebrities should apply their influence in trying to change this flawed reasoning and they themselves embracing the aging process.

Effects of cosmetic surgery on oneself

According to Fahemeh Akhlaghi et al. (n.d.), patients with identity issues may believe that the result of a cosmetic procedure may help them improve their self-esteem. This is because after their body parts are altered to what is desirable their consideration for their body image also improves. However, undergoing cosmetic surgery might not always yield positive results for an individual. Thus, one should only pursue cosmetic surgery when they are completely aware of what one wants so as to achieve maximum satisfaction.

Manhattan Beach Plastic Surgery (n.d.) argues that people with a better perception of their self-image are more productive in social and work setups and are more self-confident. However, dissatisfied patients tend to feel less productive and self-conscious about themselves. For a person considering undergoing a cosmetic procedure, they should fully be aware of the end feeling that surgery might have on them. Manhattan Beach Plastic Surgery (n.d.) explain that some cosmetic procedures are crucial to children to enable them to lead normal lives. For parents, this is a difficult choice to make because there are many factors to be considered before arriving at a decision including the child’s opinion. Moreover, in case the need for cosmetic alteration ever arises, parents should always seek professional advice before deciding on the course of action to take. In teenagers, minor cosmetic adjustments might improve their confidence immensely. This is because, during the teenage period, youngsters become more conscious about their self-image, and incidences of teasing and trying to fit in might lower their confidence.

Effect of cosmetic surgery on significant others

Ed Beardsell (2012) explains that cosmetic procedures have now become common and no longer viewed as taboo by society. However, the effects of cosmetic surgery are also felt by the people closest to the altered individual. After a cosmetic operation, a patient may exhibit a boost in confidence which may strengthen their romantic relationship as well as their intimacy. Ed Beardsell (2012) warns that cosmetic surgery may lead to discrimination by the significant other because they liked the person much better before the change. He also adds that the cost of the operation may put immense pressure on a relationship. Cosmetic surgery may also result in a personality change for the patient which might not go down so well with their significant other. Moreover, with successful cosmetic surgery comes increased attention on the patient by others and this might spark jealousy in their partner and strain the relationship.

Effects of cosmetic surgery on family

Cosmetic surgery in the family setup can have several implications. First, when a member of the family gets an abnormality corrected by cosmetic procedures, other members of the family may feel happy for them. Cosmetic surgery may also be rejected by the family as it may go against their beliefs and customs and might brew conflict. The younger members of the family may also get inspired to venture into cosmetic operations to alter their looks. The family’s reputation may also be affected when non-members of the family discover a family member has had cosmetic surgery. Cosmetic surgery may also encourage other family members to adopt it in order to change aspects of their body parts they do not feel comfortable with.

Effects of cosmetic surgery on friends

Sensitive matters such as appearance are often overlooked when one is in the company of friends. However, sudden changes in looks from cosmetic surgery make it more difficult to shy away from the issue. Friends are ideally perceived to be supportive and offer good advice without questioning a person’s motives. Some friends will support a person who has altered their appearance, others will question their rationale, and others will dislike the change. It all depends on the nature of the friendship. Friends have a duty to support a fellow friend especially when they are making a life-changing decision like having cosmetic surgery. It is also a friend’s duty to discourage a person who wants to have a cosmetic operation for vain reasons because it can greatly affect their relationship.

Effects of cosmetic surgery on the society

According to Mallory Muller (2017), everyone has had an aspect of their appearance that they wish they would change. She adds that many cosmetic surgeries, especially at a young age are not needed owing to the fact that the body structure changes as one grows older. In as much as cosmetic enhancements are beneficial, society has always considered it a taboo therefore, people who tend to have cosmetic surgery often hide it from society.

Mallory Muller (2017) explains that many teenagers are getting minor cosmetic operations in order to keep up with trends set by celebrities. However, it is not advisable for youngsters to pursue cosmetic surgery just for vanity because the risks are high. They are actively involved in school and the recovery process may greatly affect their learning schedule. It is high time trends set by celebrities on numerous platforms be questioned on merit because most people follow them blindly and end up regretting their choices. Also, it should be clear that not everything seen on television, including on reality shows, is the absolute truth.

References

1. Akhlaghi F., Zadehmohammad A., Ahmadabadi Z., Maleki G., & Motamedi M. H. K. (n.d.). Effect of Cosmetic Surgery on Self-Concept and Self-Esteem. International Journal of Emergency Mental Health and Human Resilience. Retrieved from https://www.omicsonline.org/open-access/effect-of-cosmetic-surgery-on-selfconcept-and-selfesteem-1522-4821-1000249.php?aid=61156
2. Barnett Megan (2017 July 11). The Influence of Social Media on Plastic Surgery Trends. Huffington Post. Retrieved from https://m.huffingtonpost.co.uk/megan-barnett/the-influence-of-social-m_b_17450620.html?guccounter=1
3. Beardsell Ed (2012 September 18). Cosmetic Surgery: How Does It Affect Your Relationship? Cupid’s Pulse. Retrieved from cupidspulse.com/38387/cosmetic-surgery-affect-relationship/
4. Ford Catherine (2013 August 12). When your friend has cosmetic surgery. Stuff. Retrieved from i.stuff.co.nz/life-style/9031329/When-your-friend-has-cosmetic-surgery
5. Health engine (2010 November 24). Cosmetic surgery: An introduction. Retrieved from https://healthengine.com.au/cosmetic-surgery-an-introduction
6. Kita Natalie (2018 October 15). The Risks and Rewards of Plastic Surgery. Very Well Health. Retrieved from https://www.verywellhealth.com/risks-rewards-of-plastic-surgery-2710195
7. Manhattan Beach Plastic Surgery (n.d.). Psychological aspects: Your Self-Image and Plastic Surgery. Manhattan Beach Surgery. Retrieved from https://manhattanbeachcosmeticsurgery.com/facts-and-articles/plastic-surgery-articles/psychological-aspects-of-plastic-surgery/
8. Muller Mallory (2017 December 5). Plastic surgery and its effects on society. The Eagle Eye. Retrieved from https://eagleeye.news/editorial/plastic-surgery-effects-society/
9. Neil Kaelia (2016 April 8). Is cosmetic surgery becoming a social expectation? Medium. Retrieved from https://medium.com/media-theory-and-criticism/is-cosmetic-surgery-becoming-a-societalexpectation-51ad9007
10. Townley Chiara (2019 March 17). Cosmetic surgery is on the rise, new data reveal. Medical News Today. Retrieved from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324693.php

Throughout this essay; key themes, debates, and concepts which support and argue against this statement will be discussed. Focusing mainly on the rise of cosmetic surgery among celebrities, and those not in the public eye, to become the modern-day visual concept of perfection and how social media can be a huge influence on the way we look and view ourselves. The industry has seen thousands of young adults paying huge amounts of money to change certain features on their faces and body. Celebrities are offered free cosmetic surgery in return for advertisement on social media and their hundreds of thousands of followers are then aspiring to look like them. This essay will debate the ways in which the performing body influences the way we look and view ourselves and how this is shown in the rise of cosmetic surgery. This essay will also argue how men’s and women’s facial exteriors can become the object of minute scrutiny, discipline & control with all different individuals from different classes, ages, genders, and ethnicities.

“What seems most obvious to you is probably the appearance of others – how people look – but think a little harder and soon you will find that the bodies of other people become conspicuous in other ways – smell, size, shape, personal habits.” (Alexandra, H (2004) Introduction from The Body in Society). Many would agree, at first glance, you observe an appearance of a person but as you spend more time with someone you discover more than just how they look. However, with the uproar of posting on social media and the new age of being part of an “internet community”, so many people are solely judged by their appearance as they may have online relations and never meet this person in real life to discover their personal habits, smell, etc. This gives men and women both a sense of control over how others view them and their lives. This also influences people to have a very high standard of the way they view themselves as they are constantly comparing to what else they see on social media which as many know a majority of the time has been tweaked or edited to be more pleasing. Many are not aware of the new name Generation Glass or where it came from, however, this is the reality of children (and adults) today and living their lives through a glass screen. “They began being born in 2010, the year the iPad was introduced, Instagram was created and “app” was the word of the year, so they have been raised as “screenagers” to a greater extent than the fixed screens of the past could facilitate. For this reason we also call them Generation Glass.” (The New York Times, online).

Kathy Davis described cosmetic surgery as a ‘strategy that enables women to exercise a degree of control over their lives in circumstances where there are very few other opportunities for self-realization’. (Kathy Davis, cosmetic surgery and the eclipse of identity) This is argued against by many theorists; the argument goes further into the idea of self-realization. This cannot be always resolved by an operation or a ‘quick fix’ but it is something deeper within that has to be discovered first. The world of social media has left women (and men) unhappy and unsatisfied with the way that they see themselves and has huge control over determining their happiness. Social media apps such as Instagram are based on posting the highlights of your life and the more ‘likes’ that post obtains, the more ‘popular’ it will become. Without realizing people use social media to show others about their lives but are making themselves subconsciously vulnerable to whether it is good enough or not. Self-realization will then eventually begin to deteriorate as it is controlled by other people and how they judge the best parts of your life in you have chosen to share with them.

“Make-up can become the positive ritual via which women transform themselves daily in preparation for the outside world.” (Biddle Perry & Miller). It is argued that social media has become the ‘make-up’ of today. Women (and men) all over the world apply makeup every day to face the day ahead and feel confident within themselves. They will use it to adjust aspects of their face or draw attention to their best features. Social media is giving men and women that platform also to do so by editing and enhancing apps and posting atheistically pleasing photos in return for likes and compliments. The bombardment of compliments and likes boosts individuals’ self-esteem and can influence how people feel.

“A cosmetic surgery company messaged me offering any treatment I wanted in exchange for social media content, which is obviously extremely generous… However, I can’t get over how damaging this is in the industry and how unsurprising it is that so many girls have taken the offer.” (Olivia Buckland). This is an example of how a young 24-year-old woman has become the object of scrutiny and this is a huge influence on how this woman will now view herself. It is no surprise that the rise of cosmetic procedures is increasing so considerably when the operations are there and so easy for young women (and men) to have. If companies are going out of their way to target young adults and from their social media accounts, begin to assess their photos and bodies and make their own judgment on what they might consider a good operation for them. These people are only human and will of course question it themselves.

Demand is high for young adults, mostly women, to improve their appearance or to remain to look young and youthful. Breast enlargement surgery is the most popular procedure in the industry at the moment with the majority of celebrities in the public eye and over social media having this operation. Cosmetic surgery has evolved over the years into not necessarily a ‘correction’ procedure but a ‘perfection’ procedure. Young girls are claiming to ask for ‘Kylie Jenner’ lips when booking a lip filler appointment. It is not necessarily addressed how problematic it for young adults’ self-esteem it can be to be told they can have surgery to look like their aspired celebrity. In reality, not two people will ever look the same. Men and women can use cosmetic surgery as controlling the way they are viewed by other people. This can be a defense mechanism as they do not want to be viewed as their true self.

“We have programs telling us how to diet, fashion/dress the body, ornament/make-up the body, exercise/train the body, manipulate the body’s tissues through surgery – In short, all programs which instruct us about how the body “should” look.” (Richardson, N (2010) The Freak Body) Richardson agrees we are constantly being told how we should look. Chloe Ferry is a reality star from a very popular show called Geordie Shore, recent stories have claimed that over £50,000 already has been spent on her cosmetic surgery and she is only 23 years old. “Chloe underwent the procedure three weeks ago, and explained: ‘I’ve got a high pain threshold and I’m quite wild… but I can’t sit down properly for the next four weeks and I have a special cushion I have to use.” (MTV). Many would argue that this is completely wrong and Ferry is under fire for constant name abuse. However, when you look at photos of what Ferry looked like before she joined Geordie Shore and ‘the world of social media’ – she is a completely different person. Her entire body and face were under constant attack by ‘fans’ and viewers of the show and the effect it has had has caused an entire body dysmorphia. The way that young girls (and men) are viewing themselves is completely changing and they are seeing somebody possibly so different from the rest of the world.

“I’m concerned with the dramatic rise in the number of Westerners increasingly concerned with and insecure about appearance. I especially want to know what drives people to a personal makeover through cosmetic surgical culture.” The cosmetic surgery industry is talked about and publicized hugely in the UK and America as there are many TV series that originates from the UK and America in which the main stars will have enhanced or changed the way they look considerably. For example in America, Keeping Up With The Kardashians follows the life of the Kardashian and Jenner family in which every member has had a considerable amount of cosmetic surgery. This TV show is watched all over the world. For one family member, Caitlyn Jenner, aged 69 formally Bruce Jenner, her facial exterior has become the object of discipline and control over her whole life. Caitlyn Jenner has transgendered from Bruce to Caitlyn and has been very public about not wanting to do so until her children are old enough to understand. Keeping Up With The Kardashians has 226 episodes and is still ongoing, watched not just on the western side of the world. Cosmetic surgery doesn’t appear to be spoken about so openly in Eastern parts of the world however it is just as popular in some and just as life-threatening. Limb lengthening in India is on the rise and is incredibly painful but is a procedure that people are having in the hope to improve possibly careers or marriages, it can add up to three inches onto someone’s height. Another procedure popular in the Eastern part of the world, especially in Iran, is the nose job. It is known that more than 60% of cosmetic procedures in Iran are nose jobs as women are usually more covered with their dresses, and their facial features can be a way to enhance beauty.

With cosmetic surgery now being given out for free, all classes of individuals are exposed to it. Made in Chelsea is a popular reality TV series in which the stars of the show have not necessarily had huge amounts of cosmetic surgery but a few have had some procedures to enhance their beauty. The majority of the stars on this TV show are from upper-class families and live luxurious lifestyles. When comparing this to reality TV shows from other areas of England, such as The Only Way Is Essex, where the stars are from middle-class families, some lower class, they have very different judgments on their cosmetic procedure decisions. Turner describes the celebrity and the body as ‘A source of gossip, which as itself understood as an important social process through which relationships, identity, and social and cultural norms are debated, evaluated, modified and shared’ (Turner, 2004:24). This is shown in both reality TV programs as the sole reason of the show is to follow the gossip of the individuals lives and to debate, evaluate, modify and share it. The stars of both shows put themselves forward to be the object of scrutiny, discipline, and control. They have their bodies and facial exteriors judged and examined by hundreds and thousands and are heavily influenced by how they should feel about themselves and view themselves by others.

“Cosmetics offer women not only enhancement and the correction of perceived imperfections, but also the promise of social and sexual success and a positive sense of self.” (Biddle Perry & Miller) Biddle Perry & Miller argues here that cosmetics offer women a positive sense of self, this contradicts the argument that cosmetics can influence people and celebrities too much and give them a false sense of happiness to be or look like someone they are not. Davis agrees to an extent with this by saying cosmetic surgery “enables women to exercise a degree of control over their lives”. Both these statements agree that cosmetic surgery and makeup are used to change their lives in a positive way, whether that be through their relationship or social group or the way in which they see themselves. Whilst some argue that your appearance is not what helps you build and grow as a person and in life but what you do and how you act. However, social media is a huge aspect of falsely leading people to believe that how you look determines all your life decisions. The more attractive you appear or the more enhanced your obvious beauty is, the more likes and attention on social media. This leads people to believe that they have control over their lives by controlling the way they look.

“Big Brother is panopticon television in its most visible form… the increasing number of celebrity surveillance magazines work in a similar way” (Storey, 2012: 137/8). Storey agrees with the concept that only the best highlights of celebrities’ lives are exposed. This happens on social media on celebrities’ Instagram pages and also in magazines and on TV. The public only sees what they are edited to see and this gives individual’s a false identity of happiness and what it means to be happy. Everything that is seen on a screen or paper has been tweaked or enhanced in some way to improve its appearance, this being said is the reason why so many celebrities are now fighting against social media such as Instagram and Twitter for people to not believe everything they see or read as it can be very far from the truth.

To conclude, ‘For many women (& increasingly men) every facet of their (facial) exterior can become the object of minute scrutiny, discipline & control’ (Biddle Perry & Miller, 2009: 9). Social media has played a huge part in an example of how many women and men are using their facial exterior to control their lives, social and sexual relationships. Many people, mainly celebrities are also scrutinized, whether that be on social media or in magazines, or on TV shows. The rise of being so judged and criticized is causing people to result to cosmetic surgery to try to become the person they are ‘expected’ to be rather than the person they are. Celebrities continue to post the best moments of their lives on their social media yet still are under constant attack of judgment and comments, from people they don’t know and even from ‘fans’. Cosmetic surgery companies are offering celebrities (and normal people with large followings on social media) free surgery on what they believe the person would want to change or enhance about their body. Creating doubt in the person in their mind which wasn’t there before on whether they need surgery or not. This goes to show just how the body is influencing people hugely on how they view themselves and how they look. People are being told that by looking better they will be viewed differently by people in a positive way, this can teach individuals that it is not acceptable to just be yourself and you should try to enhance your beauty or facial exterior if you can to go further in certain aspects of life. Many though have disagreed, it is argued that make-up and cosmetic surgery create an identity for women (and men) that gives them the confidence to address the day ahead of them. It has been argued that it gives people the confidence to believe in themselves and be able to fulfill their achievements in the ‘outside world’. It is also argued that if people are receiving compliments on the way they look, their makeup, or new beauty enhancement, they will then feel good about themselves and view themselves in a confident positive way. The problem is this can be short-lived as trends and fashions change so quickly and drastically and what may be a popular enhancement now, such as having big and plump lips, may not be desired in the future. Those who are constantly trying to keep up with the trend will end up battling with what they used to look like and now what they want to look like, according to the latest hot trend. Rather than focusing so much on what people would desire to look like, they should be taught how to be happy in their own bodies and accept the way they look, and view it in a happy, positive sense. People can only look like themselves, nobody else, and nobody else can look like them, so that is what should be celebrated – individuality.

As much as the world advocates for “loving yourself” and being happy with who you are, just as you are, realistically speaking, the society we live in, puts great importance on looks and physical appearance. Cosmetic surgery wouldn’t exist if that weren’t the case. In ethics, it is agreed that based on a society’s belief system, we, as people have decided what is to be accepted and what is not. Naturally, in order to survive such a system, you either have to adapt or accept. This is a reason why people care about how others perceive them and are always trying to better themselves based on their society’s standard of what is beautiful, even as far as undergoing surgical procedures. There are many objections as to why people feel cosmetic surgery should not be done but regardless of other people’s opinions, people have the right to do whatever they want with their bodies.

So what might be the reasons for doing cosmetic surgery? To answer that question, we need to first know what cosmetic surgery is and how it differs from regular surgeries. So what exactly is Cosmetic Surgery? According to the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, “Cosmetic surgery is a unique discipline of medicine focused on enhancing appearance through surgical and medical techniques” (AAAA) Unlike regular surgeries, these procedures mainly focus on treating areas that function but are being treated because they lack nice aesthetics. This is actually one of the more obvious reasons why people decide to get these surgeries done. Everyone is insecure about something and some people find that cosmetic surgery is just the answer they have been looking for to combat their insecurities. Some will argue stating that cosmetic surgery has no psychological benefit, that people- those who let their physical outward form affect their mental state of mind– will get cosmetic surgery, but the only thing that has changed is their outside appearance not their issues with self-image which is why it should be deemed as bad. In more cases than not, those who decide to do the surgery know the risks they are putting themselves into and go in having realistic expectations. Also, the fact that cosmetic surgery’s sole purpose is not to deal with the problem of self-image but to change how a person’s physical appearance looks, so whether or not a person’s confidence grows or shrinks is really up to that person. But there have been cases where after undergoing the surgery the patient was left feeling a hundred times better. Take Rebbeca Clark for example, who after a car accident was left with difficulty breathing, scarring, and facial disfigurement but after receiving,”… reconstruction on the left side of her nose and dermabrasion on some of the deep scars on her chin and forehead, followed by fat injections into the scars, an eye lift, facelift and chin lift. She even stated that later the surgery she felt that, “…everyone I came into contact within the department treated me like a person and not like an injury or deformity.” This goes to show that, in some cases, cosmetic surgery not only can improve someone’s mental well-being but can also improve a person’s health. This isn’t the only example of cosmetic surgery improving someone’s health. There have been cases where women who have large breasts experience lower back pain, and after having a breast reduction their pain has been alleviated. Other examples include botox, which has been, “…shown to help with conditions such as chronic migraines, excessive sweating, etc..”

But that’s not to say that there haven’t been cases where people were left feeling dissatisfied with their service and were left feeling like they looked a lot better than when they came in. In those cases, though you have to take into consideration who they had their procedures done with and where. In other words, you get what you paid for. This brings up the reason why many feel that cosmetic surgery should be banned or at least limited. This feels like it could lead to more “botched” surgeries because at the end of the day if people really want something they’re going to find a way to obtain it whether or not it’s safe. Wouldn’t it be better and a lot less dangerous if we kept cosmetic procedures under safer precautions as well as with better equipment and trained professionals?

Another reason why people might disagree with cosmetic surgery is that it can be potentially dangerous and they can have complications during and succeeding the surgery, even with trained hands. There have been cases where silicone in breast implants has leaked, gluteoplasty (also known as a butt lift) has caused skin or fat necrosis, and other complications such as, “…hematoma and bruises, seroma formation, nerve damage causing sensory or motor loss, infection, scarring, and blood loss.” have occurred. You can take medicine that can have those same risks as side effects but since surgeries like these are considered more of a want and not a need the risks can’t be justified. However, in life, there’s risk in literally anything you do, regardless of whether the reason can or can not be justified. In addition, cosmetic surgeries are not what they used to be, there have been many technological medical advances that have caused surgeries, in general, to be safer. Furthermore, those who decide to get whatever procedures are done are aware of the risks, they are not going in blind, so to speak, so it goes to show they are ready to take on that risk if such an occurrence were to happen.

So what are creating these standards that so many people want to adhere to?

Well, in the society we live in being thought of as attractive creates more opportunities for someone, these can be personal and professional. In animals, those who fit societal standards have a higher chance of mating. This goes for humans as well, the more attractive you seem to be perceived as the higher your chance of being in a relationship. In the professional aspect of it, it has been shown by a study conducted by Applied Financial Economics, “ …attractive real estate agents were able to sell properties at a higher price than agents who were perceived as not attractive.”

Cosmetic surgery specifies a surgical treatment for people who wish to enhance their appearance and reach their beauty goals. But it may also be used for medical reasons, such as for people who have had accidents, to reinstate the function of a body part, or to repair scars from surgery.

It assists the person by building self-esteem, confidence, health, and bodily function and providing physical comfort and ease. A cosmetic surgeon certified by the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery treats the person on any part of the face, neck, and body.

Various kinds of cosmetic surgery procedures performed by surgeons are face lifts, liposuction, breast augmentation, hair transplantation, tummy tuck, rhinoplasty, lip augmentation, etc.

The surgery carries some risks and complications for the patients, so it should be discussed with the surgeon and questions should be resolved, because the surgery affects the person personally and professionally.

There are some main pros and cons of cosmetic surgery which need to be undergone thoroughly. Opting for cosmetic surgery is completely one’s choice, but proper contemplation and research about the pros and cons will help the person in making a concrete decision.

Pros of Cosmetic Surgery

1)- Enhanced appearance

Cosmetic surgery takes you from your natural appearance to your desired appearance. One should be sure that there is a desperate need to enhance the look so that once the surgery is done, the person accepts the improved version. The person wishes for this enhanced look in case of congenital defects and psychological issues regarding one’s appearance.

2)- Building self-esteem

It is natural that people are born with congenital disabilities such as cleft palate (difficulty in speech) or have undergone any mishap in their lives such as burns. But this brings a deep effect on them and lowers their self-esteem. Cosmetic surgery helps them to regain their self-esteem.

3)- Improved confidence

Many people face confidence issues because of their appearance which affects their social life and mental health. With cosmetic surgery, it is possible for those people to regain their confidence back and get rid of all insecurities about their physical appearance.

4)- Enhanced physical health

Cosmetic surgery such as rhinoplasty or liposuction helps to improve the physical appearance of the person. This reconstructive surgery helps them to perform activities of daily living.

5)- Psychological benefits

Some people who are not satisfied with their natural appearance become less social due to an unstable state of mind. This leads to mental health problems such as anxiety and depression, etc. But with cosmetic surgery, these problems are either reduced or completely vanished.

6)- Permanent results

One of the advantages of cosmetic surgery is that you will not get back to your natural look. The results are permanent. Only one has to maintain the new appearance in order to get long-lasting results.

7)- Easily accessible

More and more clinics are opened to serve patients with cosmetic surgeries by experienced surgeons.

Cons of Cosmetic Surgery

1)- Expensive

Cosmetic surgeries are expensive and so are not easily accessible to people. One has to acquire huge funds and the insurance won’t cover the procedure, hence resulting in spending lots of money.

2)- Risks and complications

Cosmetic surgery also has the probability of going wrong. Depending on the type and extent of surgery, different risks and complications are there which should be undergone beforehand; otherwise, they can cause serious problems.

3)- Psychological issues post-surgery

If the person is not able to accept the ‘new’ self and dislikes the new appearance then it may cause psychological issues like depression and anxiety.

4)- Right surgeon

There is always fear and pressure in mind to choose the right surgeon who is experienced in his field because the new appearance lies in his hands.

5)- Recovery Time

Recovery time after the surgery is about 2-3 weeks, depending upon the type of surgery. This can be problematic for those who have jobs and have to get back to their normal routine but are not able to due to surgery.

6)- Mistakes can happen

It is possible that mistakes happen during the surgery, which should be taken into consideration as they can bring distressing outcomes. In extreme conditions, mistakes are irreversible and not fixable.

7)- Doesn’t always meet expectations

For some people, expectations are not realistic. So they are not pleased with the results after the surgery. They are not able to adjust to their new look.

8)- Chance of addiction

There is the possibility that people are addicted to cosmetic surgery and hence wish to go for multiple cosmetic surgeries for various disorders. This happens when the person suffers from BDD (Body Dysmorphic Disorder).

All the pros and cons must be kept in mind and hence a decision should be taken.