As interest in cosmetic procedures continues to grow, it is time for society to move on from the stigma surrounding it. With ever-changing beauty standards and an overabundance of images to compare yourself with on social media, it is becoming increasingly difficult to feel comfortable with what you don’t like. Cosmetic procedures give people the opportunity to feel their best selves, and if changing parts of their appearance gives them control over their confidence, who is anyone to say that is wrong.
In some parts of the country, the stigma about plastic surgery is lesser, and procedures are much more accepted in larger cities like Los Angeles, New York City, and Mami. However, in other areas, people’s opinions are much less supportive of individuals electing to go under the knife, or needle, for enhancing their beauty. You shouldn’t have to feel judged for your decision to undergo cosmetic procedures simply because the area you live in has less exposure to it.
If you’re unsure how you feel about yourself or someone you know getting work done, the best way to understand something is to learn about it. If you can understand the motivation behind getting cosmetic procedures, and what the processes really entail, you’ll be much more equipped to understand someone’s personal decision to do so.
Why Do People Get Plastic Surgery?
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Everyone’s reasoning for getting a cosmetic procedure differs, some reasons are extremely personal and others are based on simply doing what you want. If you have always felt confident in the way you look, it can be difficult to put yourself in the shoes of someone who has not.
Consider someone who has had a nose they didn’t like for their entire life. Children and teens bullied them in school, and everywhere they go it feels like that is the first thing anyone sees. Constantly feeling self-conscious about something you cannot even hide with clothes or makeup can be taxing on someone’s mental health. A rhinoplasty, more commonly known as a nose job, can be a simple solution that will make a world of difference in that person’s life.
For other people, changes in their body can leave them looking different than they used to. Women who have been pregnant or people who have lost a lot of weight can be left with stubborn belly fat and loose skin. Whether their bodies have provided a life or achieved the incredible accomplishment of weight loss, that extra fat and skin can leave them feeling unaccomplished. A procedure like chin liposuction can be an incredible solution that will bring their bodies back to the way they want them to be.
However not all cosmetic surgery has to come from a place of hating the way you look. Some people simply prefer one look over the other. Some lip or chin filler could make them look in the mirror every day loving the way that they look, rather than being just okay with it. Some women dream of having a larger chest, and if a breast augmentation is going to make them love the way their clothes fit even a little bit more, it is worth it for them.
Many surgeons believe that plastic surgery and non-invasive cosmetic procedures have a profound impact on an individual’s quality of life. An InStyle poll conducted in 2021 found that 90% of people who had undergone a cosmetic procedure felt more positive following their treatment. No one should feel ashamed about receiving a procedure that is going to improve their life overall.
Lying About Cosmetic Surgery Does More Harm than Good
As plastic surgery started becoming more and more popular in the ‘60s, ‘70s, and ‘80s, people felt the need to keep the fact that they had work done a secret. The truth is people, especially those with fame and the means to afford it, were having work done all of the time. However, during this time patients and doctors were very secretive about who was getting what done.
Although patients and doctors are much more open about procedures today, many still feel like they need to hide their decision from the rest of the world. The larger issue with lying about what procedures you have had especially for celebrities is that it creates a false reality about beauty. Even today many celebrities will deny having had work done, despite the results being very obvious.
Celebrities lying about plastic surgery reinforces the idea that cosmetic procedures are something to be ashamed of, but if that were true then why are so many people choosing to get one and in many cases multiple procedures.
Not only does the stigma surrounding plastic surgery prevent people from doing what they want with their bodies, but it also keeps them lying about what they have changed about their appearance. For young people especially, looking up to a celebrity who has adjusted her look but claims she hasn’t, creates a false reality about what natural beauty really looks like.
If you’re considering cosmetic or orthopedic surgery, it’s important to choose a reputable and experienced surgeon. Capital Care Surgeons are some of the most qualified and experienced surgeons in the country.
It’s Not Just About How You Look
When people think of plastic surgery they almost always associate it with making themselves look better, however, plastic surgery is more than just enhancing beauty. Some people choose to undergo certain procedures following a change to their body in order to return to a level of normalcy.
For example, a woman who lost her breasts to cancer may choose to have breast reconstruction surgery to feel more comfortable in her daily life. Burn victims may choose plastic surgery to decrease the appearance of their scarring. For these individuals the cosmetic procedures are about more than just the way they look to others, it also offers a way for them to feel more comfortable in their own skin.
The truth about cosmetic procedures is that they are a way for individuals to feel more confident, happy, and comfortable with themselves and their bodies. The idea that “natural is beautiful” can be hard to accept when the beauty standard doesn’t always align with the way that you look. People who choose cosmetic surgery are choosing what is going to help them live a happier life, and there should not be a stigma around making people happy.
