Cosmetic, Pros and Cons

Know the Pros and Cons of Cosmetic Surgery Before Taking the Step

Image by Anastacia Cooper from Pixabay

We live in an era where physical appearance is highly valued. This is particularly true among young people, who spend more time on social media. As a result, many young people want to change their appearance because they’re unhappy with it, but it’s important to remember that cosmetic surgery is a big step that in most cases, is irreversible. Before deciding to go ahead with cosmetic procedures or enhancements, you should make sure you know the pros and cons of cosmetic surgery before taking the step.

What are the pros of minor cosmetic surgery?

So, what are the pros of undergoing cosmetic surgery procedures?

Improved appearance

The most obvious pro of having cosmetic surgery is the improvement to your physical appearance and typically, the results of surgical enhancements will be permanent.

Increased confidence

Cosmetic surgery can increase your confidence and self-esteem. If there’s a particular aspect of your physical appearance that you’ve been self-conscious of, then having it altered or enhanced through cosmetic surgery can rid you of that anxiety.

Quality of life

Cosmetic surgery can have psychological benefits for many and lead to better relationships with others, improving overall quality of life. In some cases, it can even improve physical health, for example, if an individual undergoes a rhinoplasty that opens airways or has a liposuction procedure that allows a person to be more physically active,  or if excess skin is removed to prevent chafing and rashes.

Readily available

As demand for cosmetic procedures is rising, it is becoming more readily available, with an increased number of cosmetic clinics across the UK and globally.

What are the cons of minor cosmetic surgery?

It’s important to remember that there are cons to undergoing cosmetic surgery too.

The cost

Many cosmetic enhancements and procedures are prohibitively expensive. This means that for people on a low income it might not be an option. It can also lead to people who are desperate for surgery getting into debt in order to have the procedures they want.

Recovery times

Recovery times from cosmetic surgery are varied. For some procedures, the recovery periods can be longer than people might anticipate. With several facial and body surgeries, the final results can take up to 12 months.

Disappointing results

Even if your cosmetic surgery goes well, that doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be pleased with the results. Many people find themselves disappointed with their appearance, even after undergoing painful and expensive procedures. This is especially true if a surgeon doesn’t properly manage a patient’s expectations.

Can be addictive

For some people, cosmetic surgery can become addictive and after having one procedure they will begin thinking about what else they can improve upon. There have been several famous cases of people who have become addicted to cosmetic surgery, and these individuals may suffer from a psychological disorder known as Body Dysmorphic Disorder (or BDD).

Mistakes can happen

As with any type of surgery, mistakes can happen during cosmetic surgery. That’s why it’s important to do your research about the possible risks and choose properly qualified and trained professionals when undergoing any cosmetic procedure.

The end results of cosmetic surgery are usually permanent, meaning that if a mistake is made during your cosmetic procedure, it may not be able to be undone or fixed after the fact, for example, if you suffer nerve damage during a facelift. This kind of mistake can constitute medical negligence, meaning you’re entitled to make a medical negligence claim.

Risks and complications

Even if the procedure itself goes as planned, cosmetic surgery comes with inherent risks and possible complications, such as bad reactions to anaesthesia or other medications, pain and bleeding and the risk of infections.

Before undergoing any kind of cosmetic surgery procedure, it’s important to understand clearly not only what the possible risks are but what the likelihood of each risk is, to give informed consent for the procedure to go ahead.