The Dark Side of Cosmetic 'Tweakments'
Zoe Robinson
Botox, dermaplaning, micro needling and filler, all non-invasive cosmetic procedures which can change that little something about ourselves that we want tweaked. Nowadays, due to the overwhelming saturation of so-called ‘perfect’ bodies, it is rare that we feel 100 per cent happy and content with how we look. Non-invasive cosmetic procedures such as botox and filler can give a quick, effective fix to some of our physical aesthetical woes. However, it can be hard to know where to draw a line and stop.
We all know that misery loves company and we, as humans, love to be miserable in our own company. As such, many who seek out cosmetic alterations to ‘fix’ their insecurities, will ultimately find something else to be insecure about after said ‘fix’. This is no big surprise given the influence social media has over us, where there is a filter for everything and even those who have a ‘perfect’ body face scrutiny for it.
Many apps have filters which alter our appearance to whatever we wish, whether that means giving us a smaller nose, bigger eyes, a different waist or smoother skin, there is nothing a filter can’t change. TikTok will auto-apply a beauty filter to your videos without you needing to do anything. We also face an avalanche of edited photos and videos from models and influencers, who while beautiful in real life, are still posting images which are not a true resemblance of their appearance. This is causing a much deeper psychological issue in social media users, who become obsessed with achieving the appearances they see online.
It has been acknowledged for years that social media has an effect on a person's perception of themselves, and can in turn, lead to Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD). Those with BDD often have a warped perception of their body and become obsessive about their perceived flaws. It is estimated that one in 50 of us struggle with BDD. This number is potentially much higher due to many suffering in silence out of fear of being judged, and who will not seek out a diagnosis.
This carries a great danger, as many with BDD will turn to cosmetics to fix their perceived flaws. An estimated 16 to 23 percent of patients who seek cosmetic procedures are suffering with BDD. This disorder can have severe implications on a person's life, as their brain is constantly telling them there is an issue with their appearance. This can lead to isolation, anxiety and depression. Those who do suffer can see cosmetic surgery as a way out. The problem is, surgery often leaves the patient feeling the same or sometimes worse about their appearance. It has been found that fewer than 10 per cent of patients with body dysmorphia are actually satisfied with the results. The procedure can increase the fixation with one's perceived flaws and cause a snowball effect, whereby the patient continues to undergo further treatments to try and achieve their desired look.
Non-invasive cosmetic surgery is now becoming readily available to the public. Highstreet pharmacy Superdrug now offers botox and dermal fillers starting at £99 for over 25s. Given that the usual price for private clinic treatment can range from £150-£450, depending on the area, Superdrug is offering an incredibly appealing price. This has faced criticism due to its free-for-all approach to cosmetic procedures. The low price is also making it more accessible to young adults and students, a demographic which is currently facing a serious mental health crisis. BDD usually begins around age 13, meaning many young adults who have been struggling as teenagers are more likely to turn to cosmetic treatment, due to it being more accessible than mental health services at present.
The government is now planning to intervene by requiring pre-operative mental health screenings, to counteract this free-for-all. It is also hoped that these evaluations will help in diagnosing potential BDD patients, and enable doctors to set realistic expectations. Such expectations include expected disappointment from those with BDD, which could in turn deter their decision. Psychotherapist Dr Belynder Walia tells Cosmopolitan UK we should tread lightly as to not stigmatise those suffering from BDD, or other mental illnesses, as not having autonomy over their body and their appearances.
Ultimately, cosmetic treatments are a private service that can indeed inflate or minimise our features and therefore enhance our natural beauty. With businesses now cashing in on our insecurities there should be greater care taken when providing treatment to avoid a snowball effect, which could lead to a patient becoming obsessive of their flaws and developing BDD. By allowing everyone to receive surgery, many patients could find themselves struggling further with their body image. Even if mental health screenings can improve the outcome of treatments, the continued storm of filters and edits on social media will always provide fuel for developing BDD.
Image curtesy of Pexels licence found here.
Zoe Robinson is a deputy Health and Lifestyle editor at The Scoop and a Law student at Queen’s University Belfast.