Introduction
A type of plastic surgery called cosmetic surgery aims to enhance a person’s look. The term “aesthetic surgery” is also used. Liposuction, facelifts, rhinoplasty (nose reshaping), breast augmentation, and reduction are just a few of the operations that might be included in cosmetic surgery. Cosmetic surgery is optional and is not strictly necessary for health reasons. It is frequently desired for cosmetic reasons, such as enhancing physically appealing characteristics. Many believe cosmetic surgery boosts confidence and self-esteem (Swanson, 2019). Asymmetry or some physical abnormalities can be effectively treated with cosmetic surgery. It is crucial to keep in mind, though, that it is not a replacement for appropriate self-care and healthy lifestyle decisions. Before starting the operation, you must review any expectations with your surgeon. Depending on the technique, cosmetic surgery has a variety of hazards. Infection, scarring, and nerve injury are typical complications.
Moreover, general anesthesia, which carries dangers, may be necessary for some surgeries. Before treating, reviewing all potential risks and advantages with your physician is crucial. It is essential to use caution while deciding whether to have cosmetic surgery. It’s vital to do your homework, comprehend the hazards and advantages, and easily locate a skilled surgeon (Swanson, 2019). Ultimately, the decision should be based on what is best for you and your situation. Cosmetic surgery is a rapidly growing field of medicine that alters how people view their physical appearance and how they alter it. With technological advances, cosmetic surgery has become commonplace, often viewed as a way to achieve a desired look or correct perceived flaws. While there is no denying the medical benefits that cosmetic surgery can offer, this has led to a debate about whether or not it should be regulated, particularly regarding the age of those undergoing the procedure (Swanson, 2020). This paper will discuss the history of cosmetic surgery, the potential risks associated with it, the potential benefits it can offer, and the arguments for and against the banning of cosmetic surgery.
History of Cosmetic Surgery
Cosmetic surgery is a surgical operation done on an elective basis to enhance one’s looks. There is proof that it has been used in some capacity since antiquity, with nations like the Ancient Greeks and Egyptians using crude cosmetic surgery. Ancient Egypt and India employed it to restore facial characteristics and enhance the appearance of the skin, and it has been a well-established procedure ever since. Yet, cosmetic surgery did not gain widespread acceptance and professional, ethical practice until the 19th century (Swanson, 2020). The Italian surgeon Gaspare Tagliacozzi created a method for repairing noses using skin from the forehead in the 16th century. In the early 1800s, cosmetic surgery was only performed to correct physical defects or injuries brought on by accidents or other incidents. The “father of American plastic surgery,” John Peter Mettauer, started performing rhinoplasty (nose reshaping) and other surgeries during this time (Swanson, 2020). Francois Chopart, a French surgeon, invented the technique of filling in defects with fat in the 18th century. German physician Karl Ferdinand von Graefe developed the blepharoplasty, or eyelid surgery, procedure in the 19th century. By the turn of the 20th century, the cosmetic surgery had spread and gained acceptance, and operations like brow lifts and facelifts had become increasingly typical.
Anesthesia was first used in cosmetic surgery, enabling more intricate and sophisticated procedures. The American dermatologist John Orlando Roe started popularizing cosmetic surgery in the 20th century. American plastic surgeon John Lewis Smith in the 1930s carried out the first effective facelift in. Throughout the 1930s and 1940s, plastic surgeons began to concentrate on specific treatments, such as liposuction and breast augmentation (Swanson, 2019). The 1950s and 1960s saw a dramatic increase in cosmetic surgery, and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons was founded in 1931. By the 1960s, safer and more effective techniques and technology had been adopted in cosmetic surgery, increasing its availability and decreasing its cost. By the 1970s, cosmetic surgery had become more widespread, and the annual procedure growth had remained stable (Boddy, 2020). Throughout the late 20th and early 21st centuries, cosmetic surgery became increasingly common as more public figures and celebrities openly discussed their procedures. Also new techniques and equipment were also developed, such as laser skin resurfacing, which allowed for more precise and minimally invasive procedures. Nowadays, cosmetic surgery is widely accepted, and various techniques can be applied to improve someone’s appearance. Despite this, there continues to be debate over the efficacy and safety of cosmetic surgery, and many people are calling for more effective regulations and in-depth research on the potential downsides and benefits. With an estimated 20 million treatments performed yearly in the United States, cosmetic surgery has grown in popularity recently (Boddy, 2020). The development of social media, the accessibility of new technologies, and the growing acceptability of cosmetic surgery as a viable choice for altering one’s appearance are a few factors contributing to this trend. The ethics and safety of cosmetic surgery are currently hot topics of discussion (Eagle, 2020). Others argue that it needs to be prohibited entirely or regulated more strictly.
Arguments in support of cosmetic surgery
For many years, there has been a heated discussion about cosmetic surgery, with proponents and opponents of the procedure using a variety of justifications to defend their stances. Supporters of cosmetic surgery often cite factors such as improved body image, increased self-confidence, and the potential to increase their quality of life as critical reasons for undergoing the procedure (Danilla et al., 2019). Additionally, proponents of cosmetic surgery also argue that with technological advancements, the risks associated with cosmetic procedures have decreased significantly over the years, making them much safer (Danilla et al., 2019). Plastic surgery, primarily developed to repair physical appearance flaws, is progressing quickly. This tendency has grown as a result of fashionable and contemporary standards of beauty: images of celebrities on the covers of glossy magazines, where they appear glamorous and beautiful, are pressuring more and more people to get various forms of modifications to look like famous stars, at the expense of their distinctive appearances and even their health.
Although some will contend that a surgeon’s intervention enables people to achieve their ideal image, which boosts confidence and improves social interactions, I think plastic surgery is a risky activity because each person is born with their unique beauty, which is a priceless gift from nature that does not need to be altered. First, plastic surgery is a dangerous treatment for individuals and can have unfavorable outcomes. Many complications from subpar surgery can hurt both physical and emotional health. According to the Socialist Health Association in the UK: “Plastic surgery has dangers, just like any surgical procedure. Some of the hazards include infection, blood clots, and occasionally even scars after the treatment is done”. According to the author, any procedure, including plastic surgery, is dangerous for the patient because it might lead to a rapid decline in health (Boddy, 2020). The results of surgical procedures might include permanent and inevitable scarring, bleeding, infections, and even death. Furthermore, a person may experience stress, melancholy, and tantrums due to unexpected outcomes, which might harm their mental health.
Consequently, altering one’s physical appearance is a serious and dangerous act that may negatively affect one’s mental and physical health. Although plastic surgery has health risks, it also robs you of the distinctiveness and identity that nature has given you. People often visit their Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram pages because social media sites are integrated into our daily lives. Many people want tiny noses, large eye cuts, a sharp chin, small ears, and numerous other adjustments to their appearances because they frequently see publications of popular celebs when visiting pages. All of this pushes people to lie on the operating table and modify the parts of themselves they dislike. The human race has transformed into a work of art with new bodies and faces “. Therefore, as a result of surgical procedures, we resemble sculptures and dolls while maintaining our individuality.
Nonetheless, it is true that people, particularly women, have started to resemble cartoon Barbie dolls (Swanson, 2020). Even though each person has their definition of identity, it has many diverse parts. It is a reality that our identities provide us with distinctive and particular qualities that set us apart from one another. Plastic surgery is a pointless procedure that can make someone look like a traditional doll with large eyes, pouty lips, thin noses, and chins. Plastic surgery is also a pricey operation. Not everyone can make their dreams come true if they lack resources and are in poor economic health. According to the United Kingdom Socialist Health Association: “The price of various plastic surgery procedures varies. Nonetheless, the majority of plastic surgery operations are costly, making it difficult for those without insurance to have them ” (Swanson, 2020). So, even the tiniest and most basic operations come at a high cost that not everyone can pay. Therefore, people take out loans to follow current and stylish beauty trends. Many people are convinced that plastic surgery is the best and simplest approach to improving people’s sense of self-worth and how others perceive them. It is accurate since issues arise for those who have an unpleasant appearance. For instance, people are self-conscious about their appearance and find it challenging to fit in and find work. As a result, many individuals who value appearance opt for plastic surgery. Plastic surgery gives people more self-assurance and self-esteem, which helps them integrate into society. After having plastic surgery, people can relate to others and no longer feel excluded.
Moreover, plastic surgery helps correct human flaws: “Many victims of tragedies like fires or accidents, as well as those afflicted with physical problems, lack confidence in their appearance. As a result, many turn to plastic surgery techniques like reconstructive surgery to try and rectify the flaws ” (Swanson, 2020)). People feel more self-assured and courageous due to the restoration and elimination of flaws, and they no longer give a damn about what other people think. Plastic surgery does not benefit an individual. Instead, it may result in declining health, major illnesses, and sadness. In addition, while plastic makes people gorgeous, they look like dolls and lose their unique and distinctive qualities. Also, this technique wastes money because using that money on other important things would be wiser. In my view, altering one’s look and physical makeup is a hasty choice that might have unfavorable effects.
First and foremost, this process seriously harms our bodily and mental health. Unexpected outcomes during surgery or recovery may result in health issues for the patient. Spending money on expensive surgery might also transform people into real-life sculptures or media dolls. Humans lose their unique traits and characteristics and become identical and similar. It is difficult to escape the passage of time and the hand of nature, no matter how much a person tries to alter his appearance or body to look more beautiful, glamorous, and youthful. Cosmetic surgery is merely an operation that gives you a new appearance for a specific amount of time; it does not aid in social integration, getting to know new people, finding employment, or achieving success. And one must learn to value nature’s gifts, including the traits that make each person exceptional.
Arguments against cosmetic surgery
The media and advertising significantly influence several people’s lives. Researchers think that psychological illnesses and fascination with plastic surgery are related. Everyone has developed a fixation with plastic surgery, not primarily to correct artistic distortions but to achieve greater beauty and perfection. Certain plastic surgery procedures severely and permanently harm patients’ lives. Thus, we should cease having plastic surgery to preserve our natural looks (Boddy, 2020). When you make a procedure that would normally save your life into one that would destroy your shape, you are destroying your shape. Surgery that removes ribs is risky. Surgery to remove one or more ribs is known as rib removal surgery. Each human has 24 ribs (12 pairs). The ribs shield the heart, lungs, and other thoracic internal organs. Rib removal surgery may be carried out for several medical conditions, including Cancer: Cancer spreads to healthy tissues from afflicted tissues. According to the Organization of Medical Discovery in London, a rib with cancer may be removed to stop the disease from spreading to nearby healthy tissues or for open heart surgery, which may necessitate the removal of ribs to provide access to the organ being operated on (Boddy, 2020). Suppose ribs were being removed to achieve a small waist. In 1837, during Queen Victoria’s reign, the notion of a slender waist first emerged. The ideal body type for a Victorian woman had broad hips that emphasized her long, thin torso. Corsets were tightly lashed and extended over the abdomen and toward the hips to attain a low and slender waist. During this time, the corsets gave way to surgery to achieve a thin waist.
Surgery to remove one or more ribs is the medical definition of rib removal. Surgery to remove a rib is complicated. The underlying organs are near the ribs. Organ damage is possible if the procedure is not done properly. While most plastic surgeons can remove ribs, they lack the thoracic surgeons’ training and experience in this area of the body. The procedure, which lasts two to three hours, is done while the patient is unconscious. Several patients experience lasting soreness for up to six weeks after rib removal, which carries a risk of bleeding, damage, or injury to the underlying tissues. The majority of people return to their regular activities, nevertheless, within five weeks. According to orthopedic surgeon Alex Maremaneanu, “Since the ribs do not regrow after removal, rib removal is one of the riskiest surgeries. The effects are long-lasting “. Do you not value your life enough to take all these risks to achieve the perfect shape? Plastic surgery should thus be banned because it poses too great a risk to human life.
Plastic surgery is comparable to a plague that has infected everyone without considering its risks. There are various techniques to change shape with plastic surgery. Comparable to injectable filler, without surgery. It is one of the most well-known methods for altering facial features. Soft tissue or injectable filler is injected beneath the skin to help smooth out facial wrinkles. Dermal fillers are injected under the skin and are soft, gel-like materials. Hyaluronic acids and collagens, derived from pigs, cows, and cadavers or manufactured in a lab, are also used to make fillers. Deep under-eye bags can be eliminated, cheekbones can be raised, lips can be volumized, lip lines can be reduced, and nasolabial folds can be eliminated. Though it appears safe, it is not. The FDA’s database was examined by Rutgers New Jersey Medical School researchers who looked at cases of dermal filler-related problems (Swanson, 2019).
The improper approach to administering a dermal injection can have serious effects, including the loss of skin cells and the bursting of blood vessels around the eyes, which can result in blindness. Due to the high cost of dermal fillers, some doctors buy them on the internet’s gray market for significantly less money. Consumers have been advised not to buy them online because they can be tainted and harmful to their health, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) (Swanson, 2019). Less severe side effects include bruising, redness, swelling, discomfort, infections, and discoloration or changes in pigmentation. And serious adverse effects, such as scarring, blurred vision, partial vision loss, and blindness if the dermal filler is accidentally injected into a blood artery, necessitate immediate medical attention. Needlestick filler is to blame for all of these risks. Plastic surgery should be prohibited as a result.
Being like a Barbie has replaced being a real human being as the obsession and rival of plastic surgery. The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery reports that since 2011, there has been a 41% increase in the number of women in the US between the ages of 19 and 34 who undergo cosmetic surgery. 10% of all Botox users are men, progressively becoming the drug’s users. Because it includes a pure bacterium that freezes muscles, Botox has grown in popularity. By doing this, Botox can assist in reducing the visibility of lines and wrinkles brought on by facial emotions.
Cosmetic surgery is often driven by vanity and can lead to an unhealthy obsession with one’s appearance. Women, in particular, are often pressured to conform to specific beauty standards and may choose to undergo cosmetic surgery to achieve these standards. It can lead to multiple, repeated surgeries to achieve an ideal, ultimately leading to an unhealthy preoccupation with one’s body. Additionally, some doctors may be motivated by money and encourage women to pursue cosmetic surgery even when it is not medically necessary. Cosmetic surgery can also pose serious health risks. Some procedures, such as breast augmentation, can cause complications such as infection, blood clots, and implant rupture (Swanson, 2020). Additionally, certain types of breast implants have been linked to a rare type of cancer known as breast implant-associated anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (Danilla et al., 2019). Moreover, cosmetic surgery can be expensive and not covered by insurance, leading to financial strain.
Ingredients in dermal fillers give fullness to areas that have thinned with age. The cheeks, lips, and area surrounding the mouth will likely thin. Botox blocks nerve signals in the muscles where it is injected, which is how it functions. When such nerve signals are disrupted, the damaged muscle is momentarily paralyzed or locked. Individuals should have reasonable expectations about their abilities and know the hazards of therapies. Botox and filler both have harmful side effects. Plastic surgery should be banned because the harm it causes is significant and long-lasting.
The opposing argument asserts that plastic surgery is a rapid and safe technique to get the desired results, negating the need for diets, medications, or a protracted period. Despite all the side effects, these people have no issues with plastic surgery. They believe that using one needle to alter the face won’t cause any issues, but one needle will always follow another arrow, leading to endless plastic procedures. The impact has both a physical and psychological component. Plastic surgery is sometimes done for perfection, with the premise that patients do not accept themselves. Plastic surgery’s numerous psychological and physical side effects call for its cessation.
Conclusion
Cosmetic surgery is a rapidly growing field of medicine that alters how people view their physical appearance and how they alter it. With technological advances, cosmetic surgery has become commonplace, often viewed as a way to achieve a desired look or correct perceived flaws. While there is no denying the medical benefits that cosmetic surgery can offer, this has led to a debate about whether or not it should be regulated, particularly regarding the age of those undergoing the procedure. This paper will discuss the history of cosmetic surgery, the potential risks associated with it, the potential benefits it can offer, and the arguments for and against the banning of cosmetic surgery. Cosmetic surgery has a long and varied history, gaining popularity in recent decades. While its use has brought about some benefits, it has also posed ethical and safety concerns that should be considered. Therefore, further research is needed to evaluate cosmetic surgery’s potential risks and help to ensure that it is used safely and ethically. Proponents of cosmetic surgery argue that it has benefits that superficially enhance an individual’s appearance. They also insinuate that the surgery can improve their confidence because it alters their attitude. They also argue that plastic surgery helps people feel accepted in society, and they become less inferior on some level.
On the other hand, those opposed to cosmetic surgery urge that plastic surgery is comparable to a plague that has infected everyone without considering its risks. There are various techniques to change shape with plastic surgery. Comparable to injectable filler, without surgery. It is one of the most well-known methods for altering facial features (Boddy, 2020). Soft tissue or injectable filler is injected beneath the skin to help smooth out facial wrinkles. They argue that an improper approach of injection dermal injections has severe effects, including the loss of skin cells and the bursting of blood vessels around the eyes, which can result in blindness. Since dermal fillers are expensive scrupulous doctors purchase cheaper products from the internet at lower cost, putting their patients’ lives at risk.
Cosmetic surgery is also considered driven by vanity and an unhealthy obsession with appearance. Women have been sighted to experience a lot of pressure to conform to particular beauty standards, leading them to seek surgeries to attain the standards. Undergoing numerous cosmetic surgeries alters an individual’s body, which is unhealthy for the body. Doctors driven by money tend to encourage women to undergo the procedures even when they are not medically necessary. Cosmetic surgery can also pose serious health risks. Some procedures, such as breast augmentation, can cause complications such as infection, blood clots, and implant rupture. Additionally, certain types of breast implants have been linked to a rare type of cancer known as breast implant-associated anaplastic large-cell lymphoma. Moreover, cosmetic surgery can be expensive and not covered by insurance, leading to financial strain.
With all the harm and obsession that will result in an Endless Path, plastic surgery should be banned. It’s critical to keep in mind that cosmetic surgery is permanent. If you are unhappy with the surgery, you cannot return to your natural appearance. To resemble your original appearance, you will need to undergo more surgery, or you can try to enhance the results of past plastic surgery. Plastic surgery must immediately end, or we risk losing our natural traits.
Annotated bibliography
Swanson, E. (2020). Evaluating the necessity of capsulectomy in cases of textured breast implant replacement. Annals of Plastic Surgery, 85(6), 691-698.
Swanson’s article explores the need for capsulectomy when textured breast implants must be removed and replaced. This article provides useful details about the risks and complications associated with getting breast implants as a form of cosmetic surgery. It ultimately helps to avoid the complications associated with these procedures, such as lymphoma connected with implants; it may be helpful to weigh the pros and cons of banning cosmetic surgery. The availability of life-changing treatments for patients with breast cancer or other medical conditions may be reduced if a ban is enacted, which might harm the quality of life these people now enjoy. Thus, weighing the pros and disadvantages of banning cosmetic surgery and developing effective regulations to ensure patients’ safety is crucial.
Danilla, S. V., Jara, R. P., Miranda, F., Bencina, F., Aguirre, M., Troncoso, E., … & Albornoz, C. R. (2019). Is banning texturized implants from preventing breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma a rational decision? A meta-analysis and cost-effectiveness study. Aesthetic Surgery Journal, 40(7), 721-731.
The article by Danilla et al. (2020) delineates whether banning texturized breast implants to prevent breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma is a rational decision. The research is conducted through a meta-analysis and cost-effectiveness where the authors found that banning texturized implants would be cost-effective and potentially prevent many BIA-ALCL cases. The article clarifies the potential risks associated with cosmetic surgery and the importance of considering the health impacts of such procedures. The study adds to the growing body of evidence supporting the need for greater regulation and oversight of cosmetic surgery to ensure patient safety in the modern era.
Boddy, J. (2020). Re-thinking the zero-tolerance approach to FGM/C: the debate around female genital cosmetic surgery. Current Sexual Health Reports, 12, 302-313.
Boddy (2020) explores the debate around female genital cosmetic surgery (FGCS) and the idea that the current zero-tolerance approach to female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) may not be the best approach to regulating these procedures. The article raises important questions about the potential benefits and drawbacks of regulating procedures that involve altering female genitalia, which is a subject of discussion under the motif of cosmetic surgery. The article postulates that adding a ban on cosmetic surgery could help prevent harm caused by unregulated and potentially unsafe procedures. Still, it could also limit the choices and autonomy of individuals seeking to modify their bodies. Therefore, any potential ban on cosmetic surgery would need to carefully balance the risks and benefits and consider individual choice, cultural values, and medical necessity.
Swanson, E. (2019). The food and drug administration bans Biocell textured breast implants: lessons for plastic surgeons. Annals of Plastic Surgery, 84(4), 343-345.
Swanson’s article discusses the recent FDA bans on Biocell textured breast implants due to the risk of BIA-ALCL. The author suggests that cosmetic surgeons might gain insight into the risks associated with cosmetic operations and the value of patient safety from this limitation. This article highlights the need for improved transparency and accountability in the cosmetic surgery business and the need to educate patients on the risks and benefits of cosmetic surgery. Despite their widespread usage, even mundane products can be banned if they pose a risk to patient health. This study highlights the need for regulatory oversight to protect the public from potential harm from cosmetic surgery.
Eagle, L., & Hay, R. (2020). Appearances Matter: The Impact of Unattainable Idealizations of an Individual’s Physical Self. The SAGE Handbook of Marketing Ethics, 169.
Eagle and Hay’s study investigates the potential effects of unrealistic idealizations of a person’s physical self, particularly in connection to the marketing and advertising industries (Eagle & Hay, 2020). This article offers some ideas about the potential consequences of unrealistic beauty standards on individuals and society. The article also discusses the potential harm that unachievable beauty standards may do to people’s self-esteem and perceptions of their bodies, which can result in a desire for cosmetic operations to meet these standards. (Eagle & Hay, 2020) indicates that women with breast implants are more likely to have a favorable body image than those without the implant procedure. In this context, any prospective ban on cosmetic surgery must consider these underlying cultural pressures and prejudices and deal with the underlying factors that lead people to want cosmetic operations.
Similarly, it would have to consider these cultural influences and prejudices. The article also raises important ethical issues about promoting and advertising cosmetic procedures, which might influence future regulations or standards for these enterprises. As a result, the decision to forbid cosmetic surgery would need to be carefully considered and evaluated against any potential benefits and drawbacks of the procedure.
References
Boddy, J. (2020). Re-thinking the Zero Tolerance Approach to FGM/C: the Debate Around Female Genital Cosmetic Surgery. Current Sexual Health Reports, 12(4), 302–313. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11930-020-00293-1
Danilla, S. V., Jara, R. P., Miranda, F., Bencina, F., Aguirre, M., Troncoso, E., Erazo, C. A., Andrades, P. R., Sepulveda, S. L., & Albornoz, C. R. (2019). Is Banning Texturized Implants to Prevent Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma a Rational Decision? A Meta-Analysis and Cost-Effectiveness Study. Aesthetic Surgery Journal, 40(7), 721–731. https://doi.org/10.1093/asj/sjz343
Eagle, L. (2020). The SAGE Handbook of Marketing Ethics. The SAGE Handbook of Marketing Ethics, 1–576.
https://www.torrossa.com/gs/resourceProxy?an=5018760&publisher=FZ7200#page=187
Swanson, E. (2019). The Food and Drug Administration Bans Biocell Textured Breast Implants. Annals of Plastic Surgery, 1. https://doi.org/10.1097/sap.0000000000002139
Swanson, E. (2020). Evaluating the Necessity of Capsulectomy in Cases of Textured Breast Implant Replacement. Annals of Plastic Surgery, 85(6), 691–698. https://doi.org/10.1097/sap.0000000000002301
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