There may be times in your life that you need surgery for medical reasons. However, there are also elective forms of surgery that can be beneficial, too. Over the last couple of decades, there’s been a rise in the popularity of cosmetic surgery, due to changing fashions and greater accessibility to procedures.
This doesn’t mean you should rush into making irreversible changes to your appearance. While there are elements of cosmetic procedures that can be enriching, there are also hazards that require careful consideration. Let’s take a moment to explore the subject a little further.
What is Considered Cosmetic Surgery?
The cosmetic surgery industry tends to be subject to some unhelpful stereotypes and assumptions. These aren’t especially good for making balanced decisions about whether or not to engage with it. The first thing you need to understand is that cosmetic surgery is not synonymous with the extreme procedures portrayed in the media.
Indeed, there is a range of common cosmetic procedures that have become more accessible in recent years. There are plastic surgery components, such as breast augmentations and liposuction that involve invasive procedures and can require recovery periods of a few weeks. However, there are also less-invasive cosmetic surgeries — such as dermal fillers and laser hair removal — that can be performed simply and with minimal side effects. Though, in both cases, success can certainly depend on finding an experienced professional.
Alongside these elements, some types of dental treatment can also be considered cosmetic procedures, as they’re not strictly medically necessary. Dental bonding involves using resin to repair cracked or chipped teeth, while veneers can be fitted to cover chips, gaps, and discolorations. Even heading to your dentist or hygienist to have a tooth-whitening session is considered a form of cosmetic intervention.
The point is that such procedures are no longer limited to the ultra-rich or those that seek to make extreme changes to their bodies. Rather, with careful consideration, they can be accessible and empowering ways to make adjustments that improve your quality of life.
What Are the Potential Benefits?
Perhaps the most obvious potential benefit of cosmetic procedures is enhanced physical appearance. However, this isn’t simply a case of bowing to vanity. Making changes can also be an invaluable boost to your body image and self-esteem. Certainly, it’s important not to base your entire self-worth on your physical appearance, but addressing specific elements you feel negatively about may support a wider increase in confidence. In turn, your newfound self-esteem can influence other aspects of your life, such as social interactions and your professional activities.
Another potential benefit is that cosmetic procedures can help correct congenital or acquired conditions. In some cases, accidents, illnesses, or inherited traits may result in superficial physical deformities. While these aren’t necessarily debilitating, they can nonetheless impact your quality of life. Therefore, cosmetic procedures can help to address these and enable you to have a more positive relationship with your body.
It’s also possible for cosmetic procedures to have indirect effects on your well-being. Some people find that making physical adjustments helps motivate them to make other improvements in their lives. For instance, following liposuction, you may adopt healthier nutritional and exercise routines to maintain your appearance.
What Are the Risks?
While there are significant benefits, it’s important not to simply rush into cosmetic procedures. As with any form of intervention, there can also be a range of risks involved. Some of these may result in discomfort, while others have the potential to alter your quality of life. Part of making balanced decisions is having a good understanding of these risks.
One of the risks revolves around introducing non-native substances into your body. For instance, there have been occasional reports of issues, such as silicone contamination during augmentations and other procedures. Unlicensed professionals administering silicone shots have endangered lives and impurities in the silicone may result in infections and burns. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) only approves silicone for medical-grade procedures; however, non-medical procedures may not use materials that are up to the same standards. In this case, the patient must rely on the ethics and professional knowledge of the surgeon performing the procedure to ensure that the materials used are safe.
There are also risks that are inherent in any type of medical procedure. The use of anesthesia is a complex matter that can affect respiratory and other systems if applied incorrectly. Invasive procedures also carry with them the risk of infection. You could find, too, that you acquire more scarring than expected.
These risks are not necessarily reasons to avoid seeking out cosmetic procedures. Rather, they should be motivating factors to ensure that you seek out experienced, ethical, and qualified professionals. Certainly, these surgeons are unlikely to be your least expensive options, but there are reasons behind this. Those who use cheaper materials, less-experienced staff, and cut corners on cleanliness are also those who potentially put you at greater risk. It is vital to research any cosmetic procedure company or professional, both with regard to their qualifications and also verifiable reviews from other patients.
It’s also important to consider how your choices of surgery could impact your personal decisions later down the line. For example, some people who have had breast implants earlier in life regret the decision because there’s the potential to affect one’s ability to breastfeed. Take the time to speak to professionals to gain data that helps you make informed decisions.
Conclusion
Cosmetic procedures have become more popular, with people regularly engaging in common procedures that range from tooth whitening to breast augmentations. There can be significant benefits to these treatments. They can boost your self-esteem and even promote a healthy lifestyle. However, it’s important to consider risks, such as infections and silicone contamination. Before making decisions, it’s important to fully research the professionals you intend to get surgery from.
Photo: Pexels/Anna Shvets
