Why cosmetic surgery is becoming more normal: Man's love for illusion

After I wrote my article yesterday, Why hip-hop is so successful: people's love of fictionI had some more thoughts on a very similar topic. Said thoughts revolved around the topic of cosmetic surgery. After some quick research, I found almost shocking figures, as there were around 15% more procedures in 2022 than in the previous year. In my opinion, this is a trend that will continue, albeit not quite as strongly.

In a world characterized by illusions and staging, this is not only reflected in music, as mentioned yesterday, but also in other areas of life. Cosmetic surgery is a topic that is taking on an increasingly present role in today's society. Similar to hip-hop, where the focus is on self-expression and the staging of a certain lifestyle, many people look to cosmetic surgery as a way of achieving an ideal or embodying a certain image of beauty. An image that is usually conveyed by film stars and other celebrities, for whom cosmetic surgery has been the norm for years. Now, however, the "beauty luxury" is spilling over to the general population.

The fascination with illusions that I talked about in yesterday's article, which Robert Greene is also reflected in the way we perceive beauty. The reality of natural beauty is increasingly overshadowed by artificial ideals. Similar to dazzling hip-hop artists who stage a lifestyle that is often characterized by wealth, luxury and quick success, people who undergo cosmetic surgery also strive for a seemingly perfect external appearance. After all, it is much more convenient to have a bit of fat sucked out and injected into your bottom than to watch your diet and exercise regularly.

The society we live in often sets unrealistic standards for beauty. The pressure to meet these standards leads many to consider surgical procedures. These procedures can be used to enhance, correct or alter one's features in order to get closer to a perceived ideal. What surprises me at this point is the often very young age at which the first operations are sought. I still remember my high school days when I had my first contact with cosmetic surgery. A girl from a parallel class had her nose made narrower. Of course, neither I nor anyone else I spoke to about this topic felt that the girl's nose had been conspicuous in any way beforehand. I also have several colleagues at my current workplace who have had their lips injected more than once. Even though I have not had any discussions with others about this, I am of the opinion that there was nothing wrong with the natural lips.

Similar to the dazzling hip-hop artists who feign a life of luxury and abundance, stars often present an image of perfection that in many cases does not correspond to reality. The temptation to give in to pressure and conform to a social ideal of beauty is omnipresent in a world characterized by self-dramatization. Social media plays a central role in distorting the perception of beauty and cosmetic surgery. Platforms such as Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat are full of edited images, filters and beauty editors that convey a distorted image of perfection and beauty. Influencers and celebrities often showcase retouched images and share their experiences of cosmetic surgery, which helps to reinforce unrealistic beauty ideals. This often leads to people setting unrealistic standards for themselves and feeling pressure to conform to an unattainable ideal of beauty. The boundaries between edited images and reality become blurred and this can lead to a distorted self-perception in which authenticity and natural beauty are often lost. It is important to be critical of social media portrayals and realize that many of the images and safety standards presented do not correspond to reality.

I would like to emphasize at this point that cosmetic surgery is not negative per se. For many people, it can be a way to boost self-confidence or to feel good again after an injury or illness. Nevertheless, it is crucial to question the motivations behind such procedures and to be aware of the extent to which societal expectations and the pressure to conform to a certain ideal of beauty play a role. It is also important to note that most cosmetic surgeries achieve a similar result as the safety standards follow a single pattern. So people who undergo surgery "for no reason" are, willingly or not, giving up a large part of their individuality. After all, it is our versatility that distinguishes us humans, and it would be terribly boring if we were all one and the same.

Similar to the Rappers of the logoBy celebrating and celebrating beauty in its diversity and naturalness, we can potentially remove the pressure to conform to an unrealistic ideal. By beginning to accept and celebrate beauty in its diversity and naturalness, we may be able to remove the pressure to conform to an unrealistic ideal. In a society that values illusion and staging, it is up to each individual to find the balance between personal authenticity and societal expectations. Accepting and celebrating individuality and naturalness could be the key to redefining the status of cosmetic surgery in our society and promoting a healthier understanding of beauty.