Empowering One's Self Through Cosmetic Procedures

The number of individuals resorting to cosmetic surgery has dramatically increased over the years. In the United States, a study conducted, the Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Research from period 2001 to 2008, revealed an overwhelming 10.2 million surgical and non-surgical procedures done to American people from various age brackets, according to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. The quelling figure may be attributed to the fact that in many developed countries, a session to cosmetic surgeons is becoming a trend in the form of gifts from parents for children who just graduated from high school or college or for those who have done exceedingly well in certain activities.

There is no question that reconstructive surgeries offer people a different dimension of benefits. Today, simple surgical procedures to correct unattractive physical attributes such as a prominent nose, for example which may be a cause of ridicule has become generally acceptable in many developed countries while non-surgical procedures such as dermabrasion and hair removal for example have become ordinary procedures that sometimes are done at home using home kits sold at the market.

What are the factors that brought the statistics to such an incredible rate? What are the reasons why more and more people undergo reconstructive surgeries? Does it have something to do with the global village that we are living in? Is morality an issue associated with cosmetic surgery?

One of the many factors why the statistics on cosmetic surgery has dramatically increased is due to cultural phenomenon popularized by the media. The television and the internet have promoted it using powerful and influential personalities as endorsers of such services and have been selling like hotcakes. Television programs on certain channels focusing on "major make-overs" are being played repeatedly featuring different subjects undergoing facelifts, toenail removal, etc. as an attempt to lure men and women into sampling some of such services. The cultural phenomena, indeed has clearly defined what constitutes a normal appearance and what is not.

Globalization has also empowered the humankind thus have become more vocal and aggressive in achieving what they want in life. Despite many criticisms especially form religious groups, goal-driven men and women indulge in activities that they think promote self-confidence and one of which is the correction of undesirable physical features that will pave way for possible advantages such as work promotion and financial rewards.

There is no doubt that undergoing such procedures has greatly improved body image and to the quality of life in general especially for those who have realistic goals in life. Recent studies revealed that clients who used to socially isolate themselves because of excessive skin hair growth or a distracting protruding facial mole for example, which have been a source of embarrassment since childhood have showed a considerable positive improvements in psychosocial aspect as evidenced by increased socialization among peers.

Indeed one cannot question why many people resort to such procedures. However, a certain degree of self-control should be exercised as many become obsessed in their desire to look perfect and contradict cosmetic surgeons' principles. Just as they say that an excess in anything does more harm than good.