Mental Health Benefits Of Cosmetic Surgery

It would seem to be the case that cosmetic surgery has become widespread globally. In particular, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (2010), more than 1.5 million cosmetic surgical procedures were conducted in America. For this essay, cosmetic surgery or aesthetic surgery can be defined as "a surgery that modifies or improves the appearance of physical feature, irregularity, or defect" (The American Heritage Medical Dictionary, 2007). Cosmetic surgery can be considered to be a way to fulfill people 's expectations of beauty improvement or enhance the quality of life. It is generally accepted that cosmetic surgery is more beneficial than detrimental for a number of reasons. In this essay, both physical beauty and mental health …show more content…
Firstly, an increase in confidence which is a key factor of mental health is a significant psychological benefit of aesthetic surgery. In other words, cosmetic surgery is experienced by consumers as a resolution to their low confidence. After surgical procedures, most of people can take part in social activities confidently without feeling embarrassed by their bodies, some former parts of which may be unusual. For instance, an aesthetic surgical intervention which may repair a child 's birth defect such as cleft palate will help the child 's not only appearance but also verbal communication skill develop normally so that the child can participate in social life without stigma. In addition, cosmetic surgery is believed to be a way to gain happiness. When people can achieve a beauty that they desire to have, it is certainly that they will feel satisfactory. For example, the elderly may become happier when youth appears again in their life after a treatment of reducing wrinkles on skin. In the case of ageing people, cosmetic surgery is considered "as a weapon to 'hygienic ' ageing", and the main reason that the elderly are motivated to choose a surgical intervention is "not to hide their age but to look good for their age" (Kinnunen, 2010). Drawing from the above examples, it is evident that people who elect cosmetic surgery can gain certain …show more content…
However, there are also several possible risks that can not be ignored. Some people have become addicted to cosmetic surgery, so after the first-time procedure, there is an increase in further corrections of appearance. In fact, there are numerous unsuccessful cases when surgery interventions do not improve one 's appearance and make it unnatural or even become 'aesthetic disaster '. According to Goin Mk (1986), cosmetic procedures can alter people 's traits that identify themselves, and this leads to “a loss of identity”. Significantly, it is believed that psychological health risks are more dangerous than physical issues. Patients are claimed to be able to encounter "psychological complications following cosmetic surgery such as anxiety, disappointment, depression and sleep disorders" (Virtual Medical Centre 2010). There is clear argument in favor of negative effects of cosmetic surgery on appearance and mental health.
To sum up all points, it has been clearly shown that cosmetic surgery is more beneficial than detrimental for a number of reasons. Significant support for physical beauty and mental health has been illustrated. It is suggested that a decision of appearance adjustment by cosmetic surgery should be considered carefully. In the future, cosmetic surgery will be chosen by more and more people that desire to improve themselves. Along with the need to aesthetic surgery, it is the key issue to apply