Beautification procedures: empowering or a sick symptom of our harmful beauty culture?

Aurica Mosse:

When I was in Ireland for a year abroad I had roommates who would obsess over their appearance to such an extent that they would look up different filters and show me why they felt they needed lip filler. At the age of 13, we were already discussing if we required cosmetic surgery. The normalization of changing one's body for it to look a certain way, just because society has deemed one physical trait more beautiful than another, shocked me.

I would argue that cosmetic surgery does not succeed in empowering people. On the contrary, the normalization of enhancing one’s outer appearance has made people feel more insecure. Worst case scenario, cosmetic surgery doesn’t solve the insecurity but rather leads to desire for more cosmetic surgeries. Ultimately, cosmetic surgery doesn’t address the root of insecurity – i.e. a lack of self-worth – it only changes the surface. The fundamental paradox is that while we are taught to believe that every person is beautiful in their unique way, we undergo cosmetic surgeries to achieve an accepted beauty standard.  Each person is different from the next, yet we try to fit into a bubble of conformity. 

However, I don’t think society should look down on people who have received cosmetic surgery; rather, we should have empathy for the individual and criticize the system. 

The capitalist system in the digital age is no longer about selling products but selling oneself. The rise in cosmetic surgery goes hand in hand with an overall pressure to self-optimize. The way we use social media is a good example of this need of self-optimization, we create this ideal version of ourselves and post that online. This is dangerous as we will never reach the flawless version of ourselves which we create even if we use the help of cosmetic surgery. If we want to break from the current system, we need to disrupt this chain of behaviors. 

Susannah Skinner:

The want to get plastic surgery stems from twisted beauty standards. However, the desire to wear makeup, choose clothing, etc., determines who one finds attractive. Beauty standards are deeply-rooted in our system. I disagree with this system. Beauty standards are horrible and cause self-consciousness and self-loathing. Yet that doesn’t mean that I hate cosmetic procedures. Although it can go wrong, cosmetic procedures can offer comfort to people who have been harassed by these very beauty standards their whole lives. Someone who feels so utterly unconfident and demotivated by their looks might find solace in getting one of these procedures. Often the suggestion given to these people is: “Well you should feel comfortable in your skin, you shouldn’t have to change yourself to feel confident, love yourself!” But quite frankly, it’s not that simple. 

I’m proud of you if you manage to feel amazing in your skin, it is a great feat. Nonetheless, this feat can sometimes only be accomplished by people with the right upbringing, environment, and personality. Telling people to be comfortable in their skin isn’t a solution, on the contrary, it could make them feel even worse. Insecurity is a natural thing, but it can get to a gnawing extent. Simply telling people to “get better” isn’t going to change their mindset or society’s attitude. 

A procedure can empower people if they have been insecure about something throughout their lives. Cosmetic surgery offers the chance to change that insecurity: to feel they can live without that pressure. Of course, informing people of the possibility of procedures going wrong is essential, as is accepting that it might not be everything one imagined. 

If I could make everyone treat each other with kindness and stop judging people by their appearance, I would. Then cosmetic surgery would be a different conversation. However, it’s not, and people shouldn’t have to suffer through societal pressures and then be shamed when they try to change to meet societal demands of them. 

It is empowering to some, and enables them to tap into confidence they never knew was there. It is not ideal and that the system is to blame. Nevertheless, if it makes someone happy, who are we to judge?

In conclusion, we both agree that cosmetic surgery is rooted in toxic beauty standards and that in the end, it’s the system which is at fault and not the individuals. However, If we don’t rebel against the system then how will we ever change it?