Increasing use of plastic surgery to enhance self-image

INTRODUCTION

We care about our appearance . There is a level of qualitative or quantitative standards we use to judge ourselves . For example , dark or light features , wrinkled , broad or sharp nose , acne or pock among others

Science in the form of plastic surgery , allows us to correct our blemishes

Plastic surgery is a specialty that incorporates cosmetic and reconstructive surgery . It involves techniques like incision , excision chemosurgery , electro surgery , laser surgery , dermabrasion and liposuction

Presently plastic surgery is done on most body parts . For the eyelids reshaping or

applying or permanent eye liner is called blepharoplasty Chemical peeling refers to processes that restore the skin , using agents like salicylic acid

Many plastic surgery methods are still underway . The American population index for the year 2006 , lists about 11 million plastic surgeries done The previous index for year 2002 lists only seven million plastic surgeries

This upward trend in the use of plastic surgery could be due to the reasons below :-

The media

In print and or audio-visual the media reaches over two thirds of the world 's population . With emphasis on the visual media in the form of films , television and images as photographs , this media cuts across the divide existing in between cultures and to some extent literacy levels

Through the media more information is delivered to the public on ground breaking plastic surgery procedure . In most tabloids , including the gutter press , there is always a possibility of finding an advertisement placed on the classified that has to do with penis enlargement (for men , or even liposuction for women

A given medium like a news or even a magazine may target a specific section of society like teenagers , the working class of women . It is possible for this cluster of readers or even viewers to take up what is implied and try to achieve these standards

Also some medium may involve or invite surgeons to give their view on some procedures of plastic surgery . This creates curiosity in the audience , and as the interest generates more thirst for wanting to learn about the surgery , so are the chances one might want to undergo it

The media , in form of reality television shows like The Swan has also packaged plastic surgery as a means of sorting out ' any of those physical challenges that one has had in the past like acne , pointed nose or even wide eyelid contours . As one watches both men and women go through such transformations , its not so hard to want to be the one who was transformed to someone you have dreamt of for long

The internet

Though the internet may also be classified as part of the media , other additional factors give it an edge in the increased use of plastic surgery

The internet is a source of information on plastic surgery . In addition the internet is a channel for response or feedback , for example using e-mail , or chatting

It also provides a system of broadcasting , though virtually , to a great audience . It...