The New Face of Beauty:
A look at how the popularity of Plastic Surgery is changing our view of what is beautiful.

Written by: Christen Ange`le Weaver

     For many Americans botulinum toxin injections (otherwise known as Botox injections) are being added to their personal health habits of working out and eating right. Cosmetic surgery is becoming more and more prevalent amongst Americans. After all, the day of just seeking a stylist for beauty help is far gone and the day of the plastic surgeon has arrived. But, with its arrival, is our society’s struggle to redefine beauty.

     Surgeries such as breast augmentation, chemical peels, and tummy tucks are becoming all the more popular amongst almost all generations. Close to half of the procedures performed are on patients between the ages of 35-50. This popularity runs beyond age reducing procedures. From teenagers to baby boomers; Americans just aren’t satisfied. Cosmetic surgery, relatively speaking, is becoming another type of mass consumption that Americans are readily buying into. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) reports that more than 10 million elective cosmetic procedures were performed in 2006, which is a 38% increase from the past 5 years.

    But, why are so many Americans seeking to become “beautiful” in the line at the hospital instead of the mall? Many agree that television is the reason for the enlarging number of annual plastic surgeries performed. Shows such as “I Want a Famous Face,” “Extreme Makeover,” and “The Swan” are all known for promoting plastic surgery to American viewers for after all these shows tell us what true beauty looks like, right? Another cause of Americans turning to cosmetic surgery is celebrities. Many stars have gone under the knife, whether openly, such as Joan Rivers, or more secretively, like Ashley Simpson. Most celebrities have the body types that many people aspire to obtain, and thus what they do, so will most Americans. Other answers to this rising epidemic within American society are the increased affordability and safety of such procedures. The economic growth of the United States (4.4% within the last few years) has attributed to why some Americans can now afford a $6, 000 breast augmentation. Also, new technology plays a large role in the aid of helping to boost the safety of these popular procedures.

     Many people are concerned that the increase in plastic surgery amongst Americans running the risk of deleting the unique physical qualities within us all. Beauty as we know it, is in danger of becoming stagnant, in that if we all order our noses and lips from the Angelina Jolie and Tyson Beckford catalogue where is society’s individuality? We are left with a cloned society. And whose definition of beauty are we aspiring to meet? So, as the advancement of modern medicine leads us down with the road with the ability to perform more ground breaking cosmetic medical procedures, we must ask ourselves:  Is it possible to ever really be satisfied with our looks?

*There are many risks that run with all of these cosmetic procedures, and one should talk to a specialist if/when thinking about undergoing any type of procedure.