Probably “Barbie girl” song by the pop group Aqua, wasn’t connected to the world of Cosmetic Plastic Surgery, but definitely the so called imaginary world of Barbie dolls has been often associated to the imaginary, utopian and perfect lifestyle and aesthetic: blond long hairs, amazing body, fancy houses, cars and clothes.
The woman beauty standards have changed many times during the years and if before we wanted to be skinny and slim as Kate Moss and Victoria Beckham, we are now idolizing curves and thickness of Rihanna and Beyoncè.
Definitely these changes are the consequence of a cultural and social evolution and the establishment of movements against the “body shaming” and the introduction of concepts like “self-love”, “acceptance” and “team natural”, embraced from celebrities and becoming an example for everybody.
Meanwhile, some people achieved these beauty features and self love through diet, psychotherapy, nutrition and workouts, others used cosmetic plastic surgery. It is not a secret that many famous people increased their breast size, their butt or flattened their abdomen through it.
If this practice was before more present in the woman world, we are in an era that both men and women hugely benefit from it. But still, women on average use it more.
Is cosmetic plastic surgery just an aesthetic procedure or even healthy beneficial?
“Plastic surgery is a surgical specialty involving the restoration, reconstruction, or alteration of the human body. It can be divided into two main categories: reconstructive surgery and cosmetic surgery. Reconstructive surgery includes craniofacial surgery, hand surgery, microsurgery, and the treatment of burns……cosmetic (or aesthetic) surgery aims at improving the appearance of it”.
The World Health Organization defines health as “a state of complete physical, mental and social well- being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity” and as we know or even may have experienced, we are often not satisfied with our appearance, and in some cases this affects physical and mental health.
Despite worldwide acceptance of body positivity and the inclusivity of size, more and more people around the globe are turning to cosmetic surgery to remove their imperfections and feel better with themselves and with others.
Why do women undergone cosmetic plastic surgery?
Definitely there are social, environmental and psychological reasons. From a Norway study it seems that lower education, poorer body image and “body dysmorphic disorder” – like symptoms could be used to predict which women would consider cosmetic surgery. Also in this same study, a story of bullying was found to be another reason. Social media pressure and low self esteem are very impactive and actual reasons that push women to change some of their features. In a study conducted in 2012 exploring the attitude toward cosmetic surgery, female with low self-esteem, low life satisfaction, low self-rated attractiveness, little religious beliefs and heavy television watchers were those with a greater likelihood of undergoing cosmetic surgery. We are covered everyday by models, personal trainer, fashion/lifestyle and everything you name it, influencers telling us how we should look, how to follow the trends, what is good and bad for us. Other reasons could be history of physical and verbal (just think about Micheal Jackson) violence, leading to a rejection of our body and image and the decision of using cosmetic surgery.
Which are the most common procedures?
Breast augmentation is the most popular among the surgical cosmetic surgery procedures, followed by liposuction, eyelid surgery, rhinoplasty, face lifts and tummy tuck.
The most popular non-surgical cosmetic procedures include: anti-wrinkle injections (done over three million times worldwide every year), fillers, chemical peels, laser hair removal and microdermabrasion.
Are there any risks of Cosmetic Surgery?
As with any surgery, there could be different type of risk and consequences like:
- Increased risk due to its accessibility: many people often undergo cosmetic surgery with non-accredited doctors or nurses due to geographical or costs limitations.
- Developing of seromas: one of the most common risk (15 to 30%) after a tummy tuck
- Surgery complications in people with history of cardiovascular disease, lung disease, diabetes or obesity
- Infections
- Permanent changes in nipple sensation after breast augmentation
What is the Future of Cosmetic Surgery?
Inclusive of a wide range of procedures, cosmetic surgery is slowly becoming increasingly popular and normalized in our society where social media, selfies and technology can be considered some of the driving factors for the increasing popularity of this procedure. Other reasons of this increasing demand and popularity are:
- More visibility: Cosmetic plastic surgery can be seen almost in every channel and different type of screens. We have now many TV shows, reality series and podcast dedicated to this topic. And this, obviously increase the curiosity and the thinking to try it.
- More acceptance: People are much less ashamed and blame people less of doing cosmetic plastic surgery, specially with this new era of “self love” and “self acceptance.”
- More affordability: Before this practice was mainly for and done by wealthy and rich people, and the general population won’t even think about it , considering something not approachable. Today with the more specialist and professionals around the world opening ambulatories and the big demand, the business is more competitive as the prices.
- More technological advances: Technical procedures used during cosmetic procedures continue to become safer and more reliable and no surgical treatments are especially rapidly evolving.
- More health benefit: Maybe plastic surgery might not cure a cancer, but could have a very important physical and psychological impact. Women who choose a breast reduction, for example, often get relief from disc or back problems. And plastic surgery allows people who’ve gone through weight loss surgery to shed extra skin that can cause severe rashes and infections.
- More self-confidence
With all this been said, it is not surprised that cosmetic surgery trend for 2020 sees an increase and its market will continue to grow:
- The global cosmetic surgery market is expected to reach $43.9 billion by 2025. (Daze Digital).
- In the upcoming years, breast augmentation and tummy tucks are expected to be the two most popular cosmetic surgery procedures. (Plastic Surgery Organisation).
- The number of cosmetic procedures is expected to grow to 3,847,929 by 2030. (NCBI).
- More people are looking for a natural look (78%) rather than a sculpted look (15%). (Plastic Surgeon Organisation).
- Greater demand for procedures such as liposuction over the next five years is predicted, due to the increasing obesity levels. (Ibis World).
In conclusion, is cosmetic surgery really health beneficial? Is it good or bad?
There is not an answer to that, obviously. As you could read, there are many factors to be considered and, even if from outside it could be seen a merely aesthetic thing to do, there are many people that their image affects their lives. People that undergo to cosmetic plastic surgery, are people that invest in their own image and health, knowing that there could be side effects, damages or maybe the results won’t be the one they expected. So they know they are taking some risks. They say “You have to love yourself, before you can love someone else” or “ You have to be ok with yourself , before you can be ok with others”, sounds cliché, but it is the simply truth. But we can give few tips and point of view to reflect in order to decide weather or not undergo a cosmetic plastic surgery:
- Find a reputable and trusted doctors: Specially in this sector, we have heard a lot about fake surgeons just taking advantage of this increasing business , damaging people body and health. Always do your research of the hospital or clinic that the surgery is going to be done and of the doctors who will operate you, to make sure it is a professional and he/she competent.
- Be realistic: Plastic surgery is medicine, not magic. Try to be as specific as much you can of what you really want and think about of really what you don’t like and want to improve.
- Ask yourself why: You have to be honest to yourself and happy. You have to make sure you are doing it for yourself and for nobody else.
- Ask for a medical opinion from your General Practitioner (GP): Your GP should be the person that knows your health status better than anyone. He or she could give you advice of the doctors to consult.
Cosmetic Plastic Surgery might be a trend of the moment or not. The most important thing is that anything you decide to do, should be for yourself, health and happiness.
References
2- https://www.verywellhealth.com/most-popular-plastic-surgeries-3157239
3- https://crownvalleycosmeticsurgery.com/men-vs-women-plastic-surgery-statistics/
5- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plastic_surgery
6- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3513261/pdf/cjps20e047.pdf
8- https://www.healthline.com/health-news/i-know-why-more-men-are-getting-plastic-surgery
The Feminist Health CIC 