In order to understand the relationship between cosmetic surgery and mental health it is important to answer the question, what is cosmetic surgery?
Cosmetic surgery is a type of non-invasive or invasive surgery that is performed to alter a specific body part or change the body shape to improve the looks. It can also be a medically necessary procedure carried out to reconstruct or repair the damage sustained via injuries or vehicular accidents, etc.
People usually visit a cosmetic surgery clinic if they are unhappy with the way they look and want to improve it. For example, individuals may not be happy with the size or shape of their nose and may undergo cosmetic treatment to change it. After undergoing such surgical procedures, people are usually happy with the outcome, which tends to improve the quality of their life. This is why cosmetic surgery is more about the happiness and mental health of a person!
Studies about the link between cosmetic surgery and mental health
- A study reported by Psychology Today showed the relationship between enhancement of mental well-being and visit a cosmetic surgery clinic. The study indicated that people with unrealistic expectations about the outcome of cosmetic treatment often experienced more unhappiness and disappointment than before they went under the knife. It also found that individuals who had a breast reduction or enlargement surgeries had more positive mental health outcomes than those who had facelifts or nose surgery.
- A study by done by Sarwer, working at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine’s Center for Human Appearance as associate professor of psychology, identified that most patients were satisfied with the cosmetic treatment they underwent. They had a better mental image of the body part that was altered as well of their body as a whole and felt less negatively about their bodies when in social environments.
- A few studies have shown that even though the mental satisfaction levels about a visit to a cosmetic surgery clinic were high, results about its effect on the betterment of the quality of life, self-esteem, long-term interpersonal contact, and self-confidence were mixed. But the overwhelming evidence from studies has shown a positive impact of cosmetic surgery on the mental health of a person.
What are cosmetic surgery and its effect on mental health?
- As stated above, plastic surgery or cosmetic surgery is a procedure that a person undergoes to alter and improve the appearance or shape of a body part. Individuals usually opt for cosmetic treatment to feel better about themselves. And as the above studies point out, a visit to a cosmetic surgery clinic does in fact help improve the mental health of a person.
- Women who have undergone breast enhancement surgery after breastfeeding has reported of feeling like a ‘whole woman’ once again. This has improved the quality of their lives as well as enriched the state of their mental health.
- Facelifts and other cosmetic treatment options can help older people get rid of wrinkles, age spots, and other anomalies and end up making them look and feel younger. Feeling youthful during the latter days of life does indeed improve the mental well-being of individuals!
- People who are unhappy with their body tend to have low self-esteem and lack confidence. Undergoing cosmetic surgeries to correct such real or perceived flaws in the body has been found to have enhanced self-confidence and self-image, thereby elevating mental, social, and emotional well-being.
People need to know what is cosmetic surgery and its effects on mental health before opting for it. Cosmetic treatment may or may not yield positive results in people with body dysmorphic disorder or other mental disorders. Visit the nearest cosmetic surgery clinic for more information!
