Introduction
Most people in the United States of America and other parts of the world are increasingly concerned with their appearance which has prompted them to resort to cosmetic enhancement. According to a US survey conducted in 1997, approximately 56% and 34% of men and women respectively reported dissatisfaction in their appearance and an almost equal number of these people resorted to cosmetic procedures. The number of persons seeking cosmetic procedures has increased steadily. The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery reports that the number of cosmetic procedures increased by 119% between 1997 and 1999 (Castle, Honigman, and Philips, 2002). Despite the increasing popularity of cosmetic procedures, it is debatable whether cosmetic surgery hinders an individual’s self-esteem. Studies have however shown that cosmetic surgery does not hinder self-esteem since most patients undergoing the procedures are pleased with the outcome and feel better about themselves.
Cosmetic Surgery: Definition and Types
Cosmetic surgery is described as a procedure that changes the body’s apparent form without causing diseases, injury, or congenital deformities. Cosmetic surgery is therefore concerned with maintaining, restoring, and enhancing an individual’s physical appearance. There are various types of cosmetic surgeries, they include, rhinoplasty, breast augmentation, breast reduction face-lift (Casle et al., 2002).
Factors Contributing to the Rising Popularity of Cosmetic Surgery
Castle et al (2002) state that factors such as stress, low self-esteem, conformity and physical injuries have contributed to the rising popularity of cosmetic surgery. Studies have also shown that most individuals seeking cosmetic procedures have undesirable body image which reduces their self-confidence. It is therefore notable that people with weaker body image resort to removing undesirable body images through cosmetic surgeries so as to boost their self-esteem (Farshidfar, Dastjerdi, and Shahabizadeh, 2013).
Understanding Body Image
Body image is generally a mental perception of an individual’s appearance, general attractiveness and beauty. It is more of how a person perceives his or her body’s aesthetic and sexual appeal (Padararu and Rascanu, 2013). Body image being a mental representation of oneself, it does not only influence one's feelings about his or her appearance, but it also influences their behavior, self-esteem, and their psychopathology. According to Padararu and Rascanu, body image is usually as a result of various forces such as diverse experiences, personality, and individual’s cultural and social forces. For instance, the anxiety of body image among females is increased by the sexualization culture. Due to the sexualization culture, women tend to worry more about their body image than men. Studies also show that teenagers of both genders also worry more about their body shape. Due to these worries, both women and teenagers of both genders often encounter the self-image and self-esteem problem (Padararu and Rascanu, 2013). To solve this problem, majority of them boost their appearance through fashion and makeup (Padararu and Rascanu, 2013).
Components of Body Image
The construct of body image has two components namely body image orientation and body image evaluation. Body image orientation is concerned with how important body image is to a person whereas body image evaluation is about the satisfaction a person feels with his or her body image (Von Soest, Kvalem, and Skolleberg, 2009). Soest et al suggest that the combination of low body image evaluation and high body image orientation increase the probabilities of a person undergoing cosmetic surgery. Therefore low body image evaluation and high body image orientation are motivators of cosmetic surgery. Studies show that positive results of a cosmetic surgery consistent with the patient’s expectations tend to stir an improvement in body image evaluation (Von Soest et al., 2009). According to studies, there is a direct correlation between body image evaluation and self-esteem before and after cosmetic surgery. For instance, a study by Soest et al shows that self-esteem is reported to be low when there is a low body image evaluation. The study, however, shows that upon undergoing a cosmetic operation, body image evaluation improves concurrently with an improvement in self-esteem (Von Soest et al., 2009). The study, however, shows that there is no change in body image orientation after the surgery.
Low Self-esteem and Body Image
Low self-esteem is directly related to body image and plastic surgery. Studies have shown that people who opt for cosmetic surgery have low self-esteem. These people are often forced by the obsessive social image to beg for attention. These persons are also not satisfied with themselves and their bodies. They, therefore, opt for cosmetic surgery so as to look better and boost their self-esteem (Padararu and Rascanu, 2013).
Cosmetic Surgery as a Solution
Cosmetic surgery is seen by many as a solution to body problems (Padararu and Rascanu, 2013). According to Padararu and Rascanu, plastic surgery can be used to model the body into a typical or deserved physical shape and therefore solving the body image problem. Cosmetic surgery, therefore, reconciles the body’s physical shape with the individual’s inner self-preference. This is important because it makes the body a unified part of human trinity made up of mind, body, and spirit. Through plastic surgery, the body is able to find inner peace and when a person finds inner peace, his or her self-confidence rises. The rise of self-confidence in a person is an essential component in boosting his or her self-esteem (Padararu and Rascanu, 2013).
Positive Effects of Cosmetic Surgery on Self-esteem
Cosmetic surgery can be used to improve both congenital and physical development deficiencies in a person. According to Padararu and Rascanu (2013), very few women who have undergone cosmetic surgeries have reported dissatisfaction or low self-esteem. For instance, Padararu and Rascanu report that most women who have undergone cosmetic procedures to increase or decrease their breast size have regained their self-esteem and feel positive about their sexuality. Therefore, cosmetic surgery can be credited to bringing individuals both physical improvement and positive psychological benefits as well a positive well-being. The positive wellbeing helps in raising a person’s levels of self-confidence and thus boosting their self-esteem.
Patient Expectations and Satisfaction
Studies also show most patients undergoing cosmetic surgery anticipate positive effects on their self-esteem. Similarly, studies have shown that there is a correlation between satisfaction with own appearance and self-esteem, especially in ladies. It can, therefore, be deduced that patients undergoing cosmetic surgery not only do they expect image improvement but also expect a boost in their self-esteem (Von Soest et al., 2009). This can be proved by a study by Von Soest et al whereby correspondents predicted that cosmetic surgery will improve their body image evaluation, self-esteem and that they will be satisfied with the outcome of the surgery (Von Soest et al., 2009).
The Negative Impact of Cosmetic Surgery on Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) Patients
Studies, however, show that some group of people responds negatively to cosmetic surgery. This group consists of people with a psychiatric disorder called body dysmorphic disorder BDD (Castle et al., 2002). People with this disorder suffer from an obsession about their perceived appearance defect. Such people believe with delusional conviction that they are ugly. Such persons often seek reassurances about their looks from other people so as to alleviate their distress. They also check themselves repeatedly in the mirror. They also try to conceal their perceived defects using clothing, wigs, makeup, and hats. In spite of such people undergoing cosmetic procedures, they, however, report dissatisfaction with the cosmetic surgeries since it does not diminish their concerns about their appearance (Castle et al., 2002). Therefore, in spite of cosmetic surgery being considered vital in improving body image, persons with BDD do not feel any improvement in their body image. Due to the lack of positive improvement in the body image of BDD persons, their self-esteem is likely to be at its lowest (Castle et al., 2002).
Conclusion
In conclusion, most people in the US and various parts of the world are becoming increasingly concerned about their appearance. Studies have shown that women and teenagers of both genders are particularly concerned about their appearances and thus they mostly opt for cosmetic corrections. The concerns have made most people opt for cosmetic surgery. There are various types of cosmetic surgeries; they include breast augmentation, breast reduction and facelift among other procedures. Most people who go for cosmetic surgeries expect to boost their body image. Studies have shown that a positive improvement in body image is accompanied by an improvement in self-esteem. Therefore, cosmetic surgery does not hinder self-esteem since most patients undergoing the procedure report satisfaction on its outcome.
References
Castle, D. J., Honigman, R. J., " Philips, K. A. (2002). Does cosmetic surgery improve psychosocial wellbeing? Medical Journal of Australia, 176(12), 601-604.
Farshidfar, Z., Dastjerdi, R., " Shahabizadeh, F. (2013). Acceptance of Cosmetic Surgery: Body Image, Self Esteem and Conformity. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 84, 238-242. doi:10.1016/j.sbspro.2013.06.542
Păduraru, M. C., " Răşcanu, R. (2013). Body Scheme and Self-Esteem of Plastic Surgery Patients. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 78, 355-359. doi:10.1016/j.sbspro.2013.04.310
Von Soest, T., Kvalem, I., Roald, H., " Skolleborg, K. (2009). The effects of cosmetic surgery on body image, self-esteem, and psychological problems. Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive " Aesthetic Surgery, 62(10), 1238-1244. doi:10.1016/j.bjps.2007.12.093
