How Is Beauty Harmful To Society

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How Is Beauty Harmful To Society?

“According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, almost three million cosmetic procedures were performed in the United States in 1998” (“The Enigma of Beauty”). Studies by psychologists reveled, “men consistently showed a preference for women with larger eyes, fuller lips, and a smaller nose and chin and the classic hourglass-shaped body with a waist-hip ratio of seven to ten” (“The Enigma of Beauty”). But the search for beauty is not cheap; it comes at a high price, sometimes death. So why are many people willing to put themselves through that risk? Beauty can be defined as “the quality or aggregate of qualities in a person or thing that gives pleasure to the senses or pleasurably exalts the mind” (“Beauty”). Today the qualities that “pleasurably exalts the mind” (“Beauty”) are characterized by countless plastic surgeries, such as breast augmentations, liposuction, facelifts, and nose jobs. Every where a person turns these qualities are exemplified. From the advertisements seen on the side of the highway, to magazines and TV commercials. The underlying question is, is society’s definition of beauty harmful?
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, approximately 300,000 women opted to increase their breast size in 2011 ("A Decade of Boosting Breast Size.") Why the sudden 40 percent spike in breast implants (“A Decade of Boosting Breast Size”)? Daniel Harmemesh, a professor at The University of Texas in Austin, mentioned that it is all based on simple economics. Professor Harmemesh stated, “Beautiful people make more money than those viewed by society as less attractive, and it is easier for a good looking person to get a job” (“Beauty Pay’s”). What was once considered clandestine and risky has now become the new way to achieve beauty and success. But not all of the risks have disappeared with the passing of time; in fact, the Federal Drug Administration reported that breast implants are putting women’s lives in danger with the uprising of anaplastic large cell lymphoma (“25 Reasons Not to Get Breast Implants”). There is serious life- threatening and long- term health risks associated with breast implants, such as breast cancer, chronic pain, and mental poisoning due to platinum exposure in implants (“25 Reasons Not to Get Breast Implants”). Are the risks worth it?
Gained a couple of pounds lately? Unhappy with those muffin tops, love handles or stubborn belly fat? No need to worry, liposuction procedures are here to help. Liposuction is a technique in cosmetic surgery for removing the excess fat from under the skim by suction (“Liposuction”). Today, many women have opted for this medical procedure. While some use this procedure to remove excess fat, many women are utilizing liposuction as a mean to enhance the part of the body they are not content with. Others are utilizing the fat removed to enhance other parts of their bodies such as their breast and buttocks (“Fat Grafting Breast Augmentation: A Viable Option?”). According to Lona Sandon, liposuction is actually having a boomerang effect. She went on to mention, “Women who have the popular plastic surgery procedure known as liposuction may be trading one form of fat for another . . . buildup of fat around the internal organs” ("Liposuction Might Have 'Boomerang' Effect."). Is there really a benefit for the four pounds that are extracted from a persons body? Obviously not, but the trends show that these procedures are getting more and more popular.
In 2010, the American Society for Anesthetic Plastic Surgery reported nearly 112,955 facelifts in the US alone (“Face Lift”). Facelifts have become the sixth most popular cosmetic surgery procedure in America (“Face Lift”). Facelifts have become popular to reduce or eliminate wrinkles, tighten sagging skin, and lift the cheeks and jaw lines (“Face Lift Side Effects”). Patients are constantly subjecting themselves to