How Instagram is pushing plastic surgery on young women In today’s society, Instagram has taken a massive role in deciding what it means to be beautiful. The idea of having an hourglass body shape with a narrow waist, a wide bust, and broad hips is the image that has been popularized by certain celebrities and famous websites such as Kim Kardashian, Bernice Burgos, and Fashinova.
Young women starting from age of 13 to 45 are turning to cosmetic surgery to achieve this desired look and as a result, young women are now consumed with having the perfect look and will stop at nothing until they achieve their goal. The downside of this obsession is that lots of young women aren’t taking the proper precautions before getting cosmetic surgery done things like researching doctors for proper credentials, residency, and training experience, because of this many young women are facing death or are left with disfigured faces and bodies.
More often than not plastic surgery and cosmetic surgery are thought to be one in the same. Cosmetic surgery is defined as “any invasive procedure where the primary intention is to achieve what the patient perceives to be a more desirable appearance and where the procedure involves changes to bodily features that have a normal appearance on presentation to the doctor.” (Nicola R. Dean #115).
While Plastic surgery is only necessary when correcting areas like birth disorders such as trauma, burns, and diseases. One example of a cosmetic surgery would be a breast enhancement which contains different procedures depending on what the customer may want, such as a breast augmentation, a breast lift, or breast reduction. Another popular cosmetic surgery is facial contouring which consists of lots of options for the patient to choose from like a rhinoplasty commonly known as a nose job, chin augmentation, or a cheek enhancement and many more.
Some examples of plastic surgery would consist of breast reconstruction, burn repair, cleft palate, and hand surgery. How did cosmetic surgery come about? Plastic surgery dates all the way back from the 6th century in India. According to “The History of Cosmetic Surgery” “Sushruta was the first one to perform skin grafts. He and his disciples used a piece of skin from other parts of the body to graft it on face skin to correct the look of the person.
His way of surgery involved grafting the skin with a small bridge of tissue.”( Randolph. Robinson). All thought of achieving a perfect look wasn’t quite perfected until 1931 as time has moved on and technology has evolved there have been many new developments in cosmetic surgeries.
Because of Instagram and the huge platform that it is has people are able to see and share any kind of content they desire whether its watching cooking videos or posting slim videos. Instagram is used as a place to promote and sell products using famous celebrities to catch the attention of young subscribers. More of than not, these celebrities all have the “perfect look”. The idea of having a slender nose, puckered lips, an hourglass-shaped waist, with a wide bust have left an impress on lots of young women thinking they can do what they see other influencers doing.
Theses unnatural features are mostly achieved from cosmetic surgery. Operations like Brazilian butt lifts, tummy tucks, lip fillers, breast augmentations, and fat transfers are some of the most popular surgeries today amongst young women on social media. Many young women are seeking cosmetic surgery to improve their appearance and aesthetic for social media and are using pictures of other Instagram models for inspiration.
“Moreover, according to 2017 statistics from the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 42% of surgeons report that their patients are seeking aesthetic surgery to improve their appearance on Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook, and other social media channels.”(Dorfman, Robert et al). Being able to promote certain brands like Fashinova, Flat tummy tea, and items like Waste trainers are all the new craze for today’s generation. Although none of these products helped them achieve their “perfect look” being able to profit off their looks is the most important.
Cosmetic surgeons are a also taking to Instagram to promote their business by posting pictures and surgical videos with before and after results of many patients who come and see them. Although this may be used for educational purposes many women are now turning to Instagram to rather than doing reliable research credible doctors. This form of promotion makes it a lot easier for future clients to potentially shop for their favorite doctor based on the number of likes and followers they may have. This leaves an unrealistic view of what surgery is actually like.
Many operations have complications but because the doctors are able to pick and choose what they want their viewers to see it doesn’t the help follower make the right decision when going about finding the right doctor that is fit for them. Another issue with doctors promoting cosmetic surgeries is that they could be posing as a certified cosmetic surgeon leading people to believe that they more than capable and knowledgeable to handle any situation and can be trusted with peoples lives.
The exact cost of cosmetic surgery can vary depending on customers specific needs, desired results, and location. According to Michael Salzhauer aka Dr. Miami website who is famously known for his promoting and posting his surgeries on social media like Snapchat and Instagram listed his 2018 price for different plastic surgeries which included “Brazilian buttlifts $12,995, Breast Augmentation/Implant Exchange $6,495 Breast Lift with implants $9,995, Tummy tuck $8,995, Rhinoplasty $7,495.”(Dr. Miami: Plastic Surgeon).
These cosmetic surgeries aren’t guaranteed to last anyone lifetime. One reason why celebrities have such great results is that they have had many repeated surgical producers to maintain their looks. For example, a Breast augmentation/implant exchange will cost you around $6,495 but after about 12 years the implant will start to harden and a replacement implant will be necessary.
Another reason why celebrities have great looking results is from the help of photoshop. The cost of cosmetic surgery and repeated surgery can be very expensive which often times lead many young women to look for a more affordable yet dangerous approach. Women in the U.S. are quickly turning to the black market to change their appearance.
The most common black market cosmetic surgeries are The type of procedures (n=28) performed were buttocks injections (n=1), face injections (n=7), laser facial procedures (n=2), liposuctions (n=4), and other cosmetic surgeries (n=4). (Mayer, Johnathon E. Md, and David J Goldberg.) These operations are taking place in many different cities and states here in the U.S. With celebrities like Kim Kardashian, Kylie Jenner, and Nicki Minaj who all have very curvaceous bodies and a large backside have led to an increasing amount of women wanting a bigger behind.
For example, Rapper Cardi B shared her experience in an interview with GQ where she revealed that her butt injections cost her $800 and took place in a basement in Queens with no anesthetic. In the interview “Cardi B’s Money Moves” Cardi explains what her procedure was like “They don’t numb your ass with anything, she says. ‘It was the craziest pain ever. I felt like I was gonna pass out. I felt a little dizzy. And it leaks for, like, five days.'(Caity Weaver).
Because black market surgeries are an inexpensive option many women are deciding to risk lives and health just to achieve their perfect body goals. Although rapper Cardi B was very lucky to have survived her traumatic procedures with very minimal complications many women who have sought the same treatment are not. In many cases, women are left with amputated feet and legs because of illegal transactions like these.
Cosmetic surgery is not for everyone. There are many requirements that a patient has to meet to even be considered a great candidate for cosmetic surgery. The first requirement would be your age with parental consent here in the U.S. women are allowed cosmetic surgery at the age of 13. Things like your health and whether or not you weigh enough are taken into. Another requirement would be your ideal shape, many doctors look to see what is it that you want to achieve and why if your expectations aren’t realistic with ill intent many doctors will turn you away.
Doctors often look at your mental health to see if you’re well enough to undergo cosmetic surgery. Most importantly when you find the right doctor for you it is critical that you are open and honest with your doctor about any past surgeries and complications, drugs, and alcohol intake. Maintaining the perfect esthetic like Beyonce can be a full-time job constantly worrying about lighting or having the right angle that enhances what you want your followers to see can be exhausting. Constantly looking at body shapes that are being praised that don’t look like yours can be a little depressing.
Trying to keep up with the latest beauty trends can also be discouraging. Which is why young women are turning to cosmetic surgery to ease a little of their stress. The main point here is not to bash one’s decision when it comes to getting cosmetic surgery but to educate and warn young women about some of the dangers when considering cosmetic surgery. Young women shouldn’t be pressured into fitting a certain image. Everyone should take proper percussion before and after receiving cosmetic surgery.
