Selfies Prompt More Americans To Get Plastic Surgery

Just about everyone knows about selfies — and nearly all of us are guilty of taking one or two (or 20+) here and there, even if some of us are less likely to admit it. Is this popular internet phenomena creating an obsession with looks and possibly even driving greater numbers of Americans to undergo botox treatments and rhinoplasty? New reports suggest the answer is yes.

Social Media Makes More Americans Hyper-Aware Of Their Looks
According to The American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS), “procedures such as rhinoplasty, hair transplants and eyelid surgery had all registered increases from 2012 to 2013, with those procedures rising by 10%, 7% and 6%, respectively.” Plastic surgeons, who perform anything from nose jobs to skin cancer tumor removal, have noted an increase in younger patients. Some are encouraging especially young people to come back in a few years, after they have had some time to truly mull over their decision.

Is This Necessarily A Bad Thing?
Cosmetic procedures and plastic surgery come down to one thing: a matter of choice. It is the patient’s choice, and — if he or she believes the treatment will enrich their lives — it’s their face, body, etc. Social media and selfies are not going to go away any time soon, so the heightened focus on pictures is inevitable, no matter what. Moreover, plastic surgeries and cosmetic procedures need to remain readily accessible for everyone, including patients who need them for reconstructive and/or health-related purposes. For instance, every year, more than 4 million cosmetic surgeries entail tumor removal, such as skin cancer extraction. Plastic surgery can also be utilized to help patients’ maintain a sense of normalcy after tragic and traumatic injuries, such as car accidents and severe burns — and even on very young patients to correct birth defects, such as cleft lips.

Whether patients are looking into cosmetic surgery, such as rhinoplasty, facelift surgery, laser blepharoplasty, or tumor extraction, for purely aesthetic reasons or for reasons pertaining to health, all patients have the freedom of making the personal life choices they deem best.