Cosmetic surgery is sought out for many reasons, but did you know all 15 of these cause factors? To discover these many reasons people change their appearance, read on…
Cosmetic surgery has become worryingly popular over the past decade. In both 2017 and 2018, there were over 28.3 thousand cosmetic surgeries in the UK alone. This just goes to show the magnitude of the market.
There’s a lot of stigma surrounding cosmetic surgery, in that may people assume cosmetic procedures occur due to vanity. In some cases, that is certainly true, but there are so many more reasons people decide to go up against the knife.
Pressures from social media, a surgery mishap, helping to lose weight, or just low self-esteem are just four of many reasons people get cosmetic surgery. So, whether it be the most far-fetched reasons to get plastic surgery or the down-to-earth reasons we are all exposed to, take a look…
1. Social Media Pressures
Social media has brought with it a lot of stipends. In fact, suicide rates are drastically increasing over the years, and it’s really no surprise when we consider what our younger generations are all exposed to these days.
With the incessant influx of “perfect” bodies and “perfect” lives stamped across our feeds, being stereotypically attractive has become one of the main cause factors of going ahead with a cosmetic procedure. By seeing these ideal bodies every day, our mental health is suffering, and for some, this struggle is enough for them to take action.
2. To Improve Confidence
For some people, cosmetic surgery is all about improving self-esteem. Yes, this may be partly due to the idealised version of peoples’ bodies we see in the media.
However, for a number of people, getting surgery is about feeling comfortable in their skin. Perhaps they’ve had a baby, and their body is not what it once was, or maybe they’ve always felt insecure about a certain feature. Either way, they just want to get back to a version of themselves that will make them the happiest.
3. Other People Having Surgery
Because of the social media and societal pressures to look a certain way, so many people are getting surgery, including celebrities and the general public alike. This makes beauty standards impossibly high for people; anyone without surgery doesn’t conform to this stereotype of beauty. So, in this “fear of missing out” culture, those without surgery then feel as though they need to join the crowd too.
4. Health Reasons
For some people, illnesses and disease, or the threat of these illnesses, can require an alteration in the way a person looks. More specifically, breast cancer, or even just the threat of potentially falling ill to breast cancer, can lead to the removal of breasts.
People going through this type of surgery might choose to have a breast reconstruction, either straight away or later on down the line. This way, they can get back to their usual selves as soon as they feel ready to.
5. To Make Yourself Look Younger
There’s also pressure, especially amongst older women, to look a certain way. Whilst ageing men are deemed to be “silver foxes”, women are seen as looking haggard and tired. This is made no easier when celebrities never seem to age as they waltz down the red carpets.
Media representations of ageing in women leaves real pressure on older women going through this very natural process. So, it’s no wonder they feel as though they must look forever young when, really, we should be embracing the privilege of growing old.
6. To Mimic a Celebrity
Because celebrities are now very much in our line of sight, whether it be through social media or magazines, it can become tricky not to idealise them. Some people end up taking this to the very extreme, and choose cosmetic surgery to mimic their favourite stars.
7. Abnormalities from Birth
Although our modern society now has a much more accepting nature towards anyone with a disability or deformity, this isn’t always the case. In many societies, abnormalities at birth can still be very limiting when it comes to careers, love life, and social life.
What’s more, some abnormalities can cause health issues later on down the line, so cosmetic procedures can provide a normal, healthy life. So, whether it be a cleft lip, a birthmark, or anything in between, this can be a reason to seek cosmetic surgery.
8. Surgery Gone Wrong
In some terrible cases, medical negligence can mean that peoples’ lives are altered forever. If it’s not an internal mishap, which causes severe damage inside someone’s body, it may be external damage which changes the person’ appearance.
Waking up from a surgery to discover your face or body has been changed is both mentally and physically scarring. So, in order to solve the problem, and to piece the victim’s life back together again, cosmetic surgery may be the only solution.
9. To Lose Weight
For some, losing weight is a tough battle that they really struggle with, and sometimes diet and exercise just doesn’t cut it. Whether it be due to a health condition which causes weight gain, or a lifestyle which makes losing weight much harder, it can be a tricky hurdle to jump.
So, sometimes, cosmetic surgery is the answer. This can be achieved through a tummy tuck, where the fat is removed from the area, and the skin is cut away and sewn back into place. It’s pretty invasive, but can help people live a better quality of life.
10. Reconstruction After Massive Weight Loss
Similarly, after massive weight loss, cosmetic surgery can make a person feel whole again. Excessive weight loss can leave the skin to sag, especially around the stomach and breasts. So, cosmetic surgery can fix this so that the new, thinner body can be lived in to its full.
11. Burns or Scarring
Unfortunately, the UK has one of the highest rates of acid attacks in the world, which leaves many victims scarred on the outside and the inside. Burns from fire or acid can be very debilitating, as the person you once looked like has now been washed away. So, cosmetic surgery is a key solution to helping the person live a normal life again.
12. Getting into an Accident
In a similar way, other types of accidents can physically scar a person. For example, car accidents can disfigure a person’s face, and cosmetic surgery is the only way this can be fixed.
13. To Impress a Partner
The sad truth is, many men and women may feel pressured by their partner, or the other people around them, to change their looks. Whether this be to impress someone you’re with, or to change yourself to impress someone you want to be with, there are plenty of causes. For these people, this can seem like the only way to get the attention they crave, or to fix their broken relationship.
14. Wanting to Increase Clothing Options
As we’ve seen already, some people get cosmetic surgery to remove sagging skin or tissue, or to make themselves appear younger. This may not be to do with vanity, but it may be as a way to increase their wardrobe options, and their confidence with it.
Fashion is one of the main ways that people are able to express themselves day in and day out. That said, for some, their body might restrict them from wearing certain clothes which accentuate their personality. So, cosmetic surgery could be a quick fix to allow a person to fit into and suit the wardrobe they so desire.
15. Going into Hiding
Although this is a very extreme situation, and probably only happens in movies, cosmetic surgery may be required if a person is going into hiding. Perhaps they’re in danger from a threatening individual, or maybe they’ve worked as a spy and need to alter their appearance so they’re not recognised. Whatever it may, although it may be a little far-fetched, I don’t doubt that this has happened at least once in our crazy world!
Think You Want to Get Cosmetic Surgery?
So, there we have it; 15 reasons why people may decide to go under the knife. As you can see, it’s not always about vanity, and it can sometimes be to do with medical reasons. A lot of the time, however, cosmetic surgery is spurred by the incessant need to conform to stereotypical ideas of beauty.
Have you ever had cosmetic surgery, or have been thinking about getting it? Perhaps you have your own reasons for doing so, which don’t fit any of the reasonings in the list above? We’d love to hear your thoughts and feelings behind cosmetic surgery in the comments down below, so do share your story if you’d like to get involved.
