It’s a simple fact of society today – people are having cosmetic surgery for all the wrong reasons. Cosmetic surgery procedures are becoming increasingly widespread, mainly because they are growing in acceptance and becoming more and more affordable. We see film stars, pop icons and beauty queens going under the knife to achieve what we perceive to be perfection, and the natural assumption that flows from that is that we must all embark on improving the way we look to become more ‘perfect’ as a means of improving our success, happiness and social status.
The Glamour Argument
People always aspire to become more attractive and more physically like their ideal. Cosmetic surgery has the danger of implying hope without consequence – many people feel that by heading down the route of self-improvement through appearance-enhancing treatments, they too can be more respected and more like those that they worship in magazines and on TV. Whilst there is a welcome shift away from the unreal perception of models as perfect women, for most plastic surgery is not the answer to any gripes or dislike as to physical appearance.
The Self-Esteem Argument
Another common reason put forward for pursuing cosmetic surgery is on the grounds of self-esteem. Ninety-nine percent of the population isn’t entirely satisfied with the way they look. For some, that can breed a lack of confidence in social situations or in the workplace. But for even less, that becomes a major psychological barrier. Where minor changes can improve a patient’s quality of life, cosmetic surgery is a sure-fire way to go. However for other factors that are purely aesthetic, it’s important to first of all weigh up the risks of the procedure at hand.
The Truth
Cosmetic surgery isn’t just another way to make yourself feel better or to improve confidence. It’s a vital tool for rebuilding the hopes and dreams of those whose lives have been devastated by horrific accidents and injuries, or for helping those with genuine psychological disturbances arising from particular aspects of their appearance. Of course there is a market for pure vanity surgery, and there’s nothing specifically wrong with that in moderation. However the growing trend towards non-stop self improvement can’t be good for society, and is certainly not good for the image of the medical industry as a whole. We are all beautiful as individuals – cosmetic surgery serves a purpose, but don’t treat it like a fashion accessory.
