Rethinking Cosmetic Surgery

Here are some other thoughts that came to mind after I wrote my  post about whether or not cosmetic procedures deserve an absolute yes or no.

1. The effectiveness of creams and lotions

Most people would rather buy a skin care product instead of going to see a doctor to treat signs of aging.  There many different kinds of products on the market these days. They seem to promise a lot in terms of making our skin look younger.  In the long term of things, do they actually deliver? They will plump up creases in our skin, making lines less apparent.  But do they erase wrinkles all together? Probably not.

Another piece of logic to consider is that they can’t  address sagging skin.  Collagen is the protein that keeps our skin firm. As we age, it deteriorates. For the most part, creams and lotions will not be able to address the breakdown of collagen.

Skin products often prey on the wishful thinking of consumers.   This is due to  skillful marketing as opposed to scientific logic.   A brand may boast about a particular  vitamin or protein.  But other questions remain. Is the amount of the ingredient enough to really make a profound change? Even if the ingredient is needed by our bodies, will it matter if it is applied topically?

As opposed to products, cosmetic procedures actually work with the structure and anatomy of our skin to create real improvements.  These days, there are so many options that are minimally invasive (e.g. dermal injections) with little to no downtime. With these advances, it is now possible to achieve the youthful appearance that we could only yearn for with products alone.

Now I am not saying that all skin care products are crap.  Many of them are useful for prevention and maintenance.  But once the fine and deep lines start to appear, cosmetic procedures offer a more effective course of action.

2. Our self image

Aging is a natural process.  Therefore, should we just be forced to accept the signs of aging and learn to be secure with this? Well, its really up to the individual. But let’s be honest with ourselves. Just about everyone likes and appreciates physical attractiveness. There is absolutely nothing wrong with admitting this.  Studies in psychology show that we are wired to have this inclination. Because this tendency is innate, the image of ourselves that we see in the mirror do affect us at a conscious and subconscious level.  When we look our best, we feel great and our self esteem is high.

This is not to say that cosmetic surgery is the answer to having high self esteem. Think of the person who is obsessed with physical perfection and goes overboard with cosmetic procedures. This, of course is not healthy.

The way we feel about our appearance needs to be balanced with the way we feel about other parts of our lives.

As I mentioned before, cosmetic procedures are now undergoing a new age.  There are many options that are minimally invasive and give very natural looking results.