From dental veneers to breast augmentations to buccal fat removal, it seems no part of the human body is deemed “good enough” anymore. Cultural pressures and advancements in technology have fueled the soaring popularity of cosmetic procedures, reinforcing insecurities and unrealistic expectations.
While versions of cosmetic surgery have existed since ancient times, today’s surge marks a new era for the industry. Unfortunately, this boom is less a celebration of empowerment and more a troubling fixation on unattainable beauty standards.
The Cosmetic Industry’s Renaissance
The prevalence of cosmetic “trends,” meaning changing preferences and popular procedures, makes more people aware of such procedures, driving the industry’s renaissance. Some of the hottest cosmetic trends right now are as follows:
- Buccal Fat Removal (seen in the image above)
- Eye Color Surgery
- Baby Botox
- Body Contouring
- Eye Lifts
- Eyelid Surgery
- Skin Resurfacing
It seems like once one celebrity gets a new procedure, everyone else follows suit, and suddenly, Hollywood is devoid of buccal fat.
Tech Advancements
Technology advancements in this industry can be wonderful and worrisome. On one hand, advancements often make these procedures safer for patients and can also better achieve the desired results. However, advancements can also mean adding one more item to the list of things people can and want to change about themselves.
Some of the newest advancements include:
- Ultherapy
- Photodynamic Therapy (PDT; seen above)
- Non-Surgical Facelift
- Coolaser skin resurfacing
- NeuStem facial contouring
- Stem Cell Exosome Therapy
The role that artificial intelligence will play in the industry is still unclear. However, it’s expected to have a substantial impact.
Cosmetic Surgery Obsessions and Addictions
The cosmetic procedure industry’s renaissance has a lot to do with how people approach cosmetic surgery these days. This isn’t someone getting a facelift every few years or a handful of Botox injections to stay fresh. This is people paying huge sums of money to change everything about their visual appearance.
Furthermore, some treat these often serious procedures like changing their clothes. One season big lips are in, and the next they’re out. One year big butts are hot, and a few years later, slim backsides are the desired figure. People aren’t just changing something to satisfy a deep-seated insecurity; they’re putting strain on their bodies to chase fleeting trends.
For certain patients, cosmetic surgery is not a solution to a singular or stubborn problem, but a way to endlessly experiment with their appearance.
The Unrealistic Expectations Put Out by Society
Where do all these insecurities come from? Once upon a time, people may have envied their peers and acquaintances for having a better figure, a slimmer nose, or a stronger jaw. Now, people have so many more humans to be jealous of.
From actors to influencers to models, the most beautiful people in the world are constantly on display for the world to see. This type of exposure makes practically everyone insecure, even those who might already be considered traditionally attractive.
Hollywood’s Role
Hollywood’s job is to make things look perfect, but this plastic perfection bleeds off the screen. Not only are actors made to look ridiculously perfect in movies and TV, but they also go the extra mile to look like that on the red carpet and in paparazzi shots. Hollywood celebrities will reinvent their whole face and body with plastic surgery, leading people to think they should look like that naturally.
Furthermore, the entertainment industry has turned cosmetic procedures into, well, entertainment. Shows like Nip/Tuck, Botched, Dr. 90210, Skin Decision: Before and After, and Atlanta Plastic captivate people, but often send the wrong message. To be fair, some show the risks of cosmetic procedures, but many make cosmetic procedures seem glamorous and casual.
Social Media’s Impact
Social media is a massive driver of trends and culture, so much of the plastic surgery trends stem from sites like Instagram and TikTok. While seeing a few photos of unrealistically beautiful people won’t cause damage, the constant stream of them can be harmful.
Leslie Fletcher, MSN, RN, and AGNP-BC from the InjectAbility Clinic/InjectAbility Institute, notes the power of social media in this industry, “The use of social media is a breeding ground for appearance comparison behavior which can increase dissatisfaction in treatment results, overall looks, and Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD).”
Body Dysmorphic Disorder
Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) is a serious and somewhat common condition that can play a large role in cosmetic surgery addictions and obsessions. BDD is a mental condition that causes people to become obsessed with their perceived appearance flaws. The condition often causes chronic anxiety, eating disorders, self-isolation, suicidal ideation, poor concentration, and an obsession with changing their appearance.
While this mental disorder is all about self-perception, its modern prevalence is likely linked to the inundation of perfectly symmetrical faces people see every day on their phones, TVs, magazines, and more.
Refreshed vs. Frankensteined
The cosmetic procedure industry is not inherently evil or toxic. These procedures can help patients rid themselves of lifelong or crippling insecurities, allowing them to love themselves more and feel confident in their own skin. Cosmetic procedures can also have medical benefits, such as relieving a deviated septum or back pain from large breasts.
Dr. Jon Mendelsohn, facial plastic surgeon and medical director of Advanced Cosmetic Surgery and Laser Center in Cincinnati, highlights the wonderful things cosmetic procedures can do for people, “For many, the decision to undergo a procedure is deeply personal and rooted in a desire to enhance their quality of life. Whether it’s addressing signs of aging, correcting a feature they’ve always been self-conscious about, or simply wanting to look as energetic as they feel, our goal is to support them in achieving their aesthetic aspirations in a safe, professional, and compassionate manner.”
By no means does all of society need to shun this industry and live with whatever the genetics lottery gave them. However, there is a large difference between fixing a specific problem and morphing into one’s favorite Instagram influencer.
The Onus on Doctors
While people have the right to do what they want with their bodies, doctors in this industry still have a duty to protect their patients, and sometimes that might mean denying them a procedure they want. Cosmetic procedure professionals want to help people feel amazing in their own skin, but must still uphold their responsibility to keep patients safe.
Promising Results
Dr. Mendohlson explains the importance of discussing a patient’s motives and expectations prior to a procedure, “In our practice, we always take the time to ask patients why they are seeking a specific procedure. Understanding their motivations is crucial, as it allows us to tailor the treatment to their unique goals and ensure that they are making an informed decision. This conversation also helps us to manage expectations and ensure that the outcome aligns with their vision.“
Unfortunately, not all cosmetic procedure professionals do their due diligence in this regard. Some may overpromise on results and do nothing to mitigate a patient’s expectations. This can lead to severe disappointment. It’s also possible that when doctors are so willing to perform cosmetic procedures without ever asking the big questions, it causes patients to take a more casual approach to plastic surgery. Helping patients reflect on their choices ensures they think these procedures through and understand their own motivations and desires.
For those seeking cosmetic procedures, it’s best to select a doctor who cares about these things, asking questions such as: how long have you considered this procedure? What are your reasons for seeking this procedure? What are your expectations following the procedure?
Screening for Body Dysmorphic Disorder
Cosmetic procedure professionals must be vigilant when it comes to BDD. Many mental conditions can cause someone to seek to change their appearance, and doctors should be aware of their patients’ conditions, diagnoses, and overall wellness. But this is especially important concerning BDD.
Fletcher and her company take BDD screeningvery seriously, stating, “Aesthetic practitioners need to be highly in-tuned to patient’s pre-existing mental health comorbidities. Research shows that it is highly likely that practitioners are not screening for BDD, or not recognizing BDD until after treatment, leading to unrealistic expectations and an unsatisfied patient.”
The Cost of Cosmetics
Another layer to this topic is the high cost of cosmetic surgery. Dr. Linda Khoshaba, NMD, FABNE, and the founder of Natural Endocrinology Specialists (NES), explains, “Cosmetic procedures aren’t just physically risky—they’re also financially draining. Costs can vary widely depending on the complexity of the surgery, where it’s performed, and who’s doing it.” She breaks down cost factors and concerns further:
Economic Disparities: Cosmetic surgery is expensive, and not everyone can afford it. This creates a divide, reinforcing the idea that beauty is tied to wealth and deepening social inequalities.
Non-Invasive Treatments: Procedures like Botox or fillers can range from $300 to $2,000 per session. These treatments often require regular touch-ups, adding to the overall cost.
Surgical Procedures: More invasive surgeries, such as breast augmentations or facelifts, can cost anywhere from $5,000 to $20,000 or more. This doesn’t include additional expenses like anesthesia, hospital stays, or post-operative care.
Long-Term Financial Commitment: The initial surgery cost is just the beginning. Many people end up paying for follow-up procedures, corrective surgeries, or ongoing treatments to maintain their results.
People see all the Hollywood celebrities get these procedures done left and right, but few realize the exorbitant cost until they’re sitting in the doctor’s office. The high cost can make even simple procedures inaccessible, creating a class gap that further complicates this conversation.
A Cyclical Industry or a Slippery Slope
Fashion is cyclical, with stilettos in one day and block heels in the next. Home design is cyclical, with minimalism and maximalism alternating in popularity. Is the rising popularity of cosmetic procedures just a trend? Is the cosmetic surgery industry another cyclical sector that will cool off and heat up again over time?
Dr. Mendohlson sheds light on this, “Trends in cosmetic procedures and the ‘look’ people desire tend to evolve over time, reflecting broader cultural shifts, technological advancements, and changing beauty standards…This cycle is influenced not only by celebrity culture and media but also by a growing awareness and appreciation of subtle, refined enhancements that maintain facial harmony.”
He goes on to explain, “These trends often reflect the changing ideals of body image and the influence of prominent public figures.” Mendholson cites seeing these kinds of cycles concerning fillers, Brazilian Butt Lifts (BBLs), breast augmentation, buccal fat removal, and more.
Coming Back to Cosmetic Reality
Much of the problems with the current cosmetic industry can be traced back to the inability society has to accept things like imperfect features, unusual appearances, and natural aging.
The instinctual preference for facial symmetry and other traditional beauty traits will likely never go away. But the casualness with which people alter themselves can be reined in.
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