Plastic surgery has become one of the most popular beauty treatments in the world. According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, there were 17.1 million surgical and nonsurgical procedures performed in the United States in 2017 alone. This number is only expected to grow in the years to come. So why is plastic surgery so popular? And what impact has it had on the beauty industry?
History of Plastic Surgery
The history of plastic surgery goes back much further than you might think. The first recorded instance of plastic surgery was in India in 600 BC. Sushruta, a physician from that time, is credited with performing the world’s first nose job. He used a skin flap from the cheek to reconstruct a missing nose.
While Plastic Surgery has been around for centuries, it really began to take off in the early 1900s. In 1912, Harold Gillies performed the first successful skin graft. This procedure laid the foundation for modern-day facial reconstruction surgery. Then, in 1931, Jacques Maliniac and Gustave Léon Guillot developed the silicone breast implant. This invention revolutionized breast augmentation surgery and paved the way for the modern plastic surgery industry.
Uses of Plastic Surgery
Cosmetic alterations to the face or body haven’t always been the purpose of plastic surgery. There are medical incidents in which people have required skin grafts or other repairs. After car accidents or major burns, for example, people have often turned to plastic surgeons to help them regain their appearance.
But now, the majority of plastic surgery procedures are performed for cosmetic reasons.
The Impact of Plastic Surgery on The Beauty Industry
Plastic surgery has had a profound impact on the beauty industry. For one, it has made it possible for people to change their appearance in ways that were once impossible. This, in turn, has led to increased pressure on individuals to conform to certain standards of beauty. It has also created a whole new industry devoted to helping people maintain their youthful looks.
Face and body augmentations have become the norm, and are often encouraged and heavily marketed to younger and more impressionable demographics.
Disputes over whether or not cosmetic surgeries have had a positive or negative effect on the beauty industry are fraught with a particular tension. There’s ample support for the beauty trend as well as heavy amounts of pushback.
Some people argue that plastic surgery has added many toxic beauty standards to the industry. They say that it promotes insecurities as well as unrealistic beauty ideals.
On the other hand, others claim that plastic surgery has given people more control over their appearance. They argue that it has made the industry more inclusive and diverse.
The Commercialization of Plastic Surgery
Cosmetic alterations used to be limited to an exclusive group of the wealthy and privileged. But now, its popularity has opened a window to make the industry more accessible. There are “spas” all over the globe where you can walk in and receive services like lip filler, botox, and even surgeries.
This commercialization has led to some people feeling like they need to “keep up with the Joneses” in order to maintain their social status. There’s also been an increase in plastic surgery tourism. This is when people travel to other countries where cosmetic procedures are cheaper and often unregulated.
While plastic surgery may be more accessible than ever before, it’s still a risky and expensive procedure. It’s important to do your research and consult with a qualified professional before making any decisions about altering your appearance.
The rise of social media has also played a role in the popularity of plastic surgery. Celebrities and influencers often share photos and videos of themselves undergoing cosmetic procedures. This helps to normalize the idea of altering one’s appearance and makes people more likely to consider it for themselves.
In some aspects, a doctored face or body is seen as the new norm. You’re given a sideways glance if you maintain the features you were born with.
What’s Next for The Plastic Surgery Industry?
The trajectory is the industry is still up in the air. Movements like “body positivity” and “self-love” have encouraged people to accept themselves for who they are. This could lead to a decrease in the demand for plastic surgery.
But, it’s also possible that these movements will simply result in people feeling more comfortable discussing their cosmetic procedures and sharing photos of them online. Only time will tell what the future holds for the plastic surgery industry.
