Plastic surgery is a medical specialty that involves the reconstruction, restoration, or alteration of the human body. The goal of plastic surgery is to improve the function, appearance, or both of a person’s body.

According to a report by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, there were 18 million surgical and minimally invasive cosmetic procedures performed in the United States in 2019, which is an increase of 250% from the year 2000. The report also found that the top five cosmetic surgical procedures in 2019 were breast augmentation, liposuction, eyelid surgery, nose reshaping, and tummy tuck.

In terms of social media and influencer marketing, the use of social media influencers to promote cosmetic procedures has become more prevalent in recent years. Whether it’s simple procedures such as micro needling, or light therapy or Botox, they are all in it. In 2019, the global market for influencer marketing was estimated to be worth $9.7 billion, with a projected growth rate of 32.4% from 2020 to 2027, according to a report by Grand View Research.

While there is no specific data on the market size of the number of influencers getting plastic surgery, it’s clear that the plastic surgery industry as a whole is growing, and that social media and influencer marketing are playing an increasingly significant role in the promotion of these services.

TYPES OF PLASTIC SURGERY, AS WE KNOW IT!

Before you jump into the details of plastic surgery, here are some of the common types of plastic surgery:

• Breast augmentation: This procedure involves the use of implants to increase the size and shape of the breasts.

•Rhinoplasty: Also known as a “nose job,” this procedure involves reshaping the nose for aesthetic or functional reasons.

•Liposuction: This procedure involves removing excess fat from specific areas of the body, such as the abdomen, thighs, and arms.

•Facelift: This procedure involves tightening and smoothing the skin on the face and neck to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and sagging.

•Tummy tuck: This procedure involves removing excess skin and fat from the abdomen and tightening the underlying muscles to create a flatter, more toned appearance.

•Botox and fillers: These non-surgical procedures involve the use of injections to smooth wrinkles, add volume to the face, and enhance facial features.

•Hair transplant: This procedure involves transplanting hair follicles from one part of the body to another to treat hair loss.

•Eyelid surgery: Also known as blepharoplasty, this procedure involves removing excess skin and fat from the eyelids to reduce the appearance of sagging and bags under the eyes.

These are just a few examples of the types of plastic surgery available. And it is important to consult with a qualified plastic surgeon to determine the most appropriate type of surgery.

REASONS WHY IT IS BEING DONE?

Plastic surgery has become an increasingly popular option for people who want to enhance their appearance, correct physical imperfections powered by unrealistic pressure or address medical issues. Here are some reasons why plastic surgery has become a growing trend in recent years:

• Increased social acceptance: As plastic surgery becomes more common and socially accepted, people are more likely to consider it as an option for enhancing their appearance or correcting physical flaws. People have actually started to find women with tweety lips and small noses appealing, a trend that was started by the Kardashian family. From time to time, there’s influencers who use hashtags to promote how being real over being perfect is beautiful. To highlight, this is right after they have skin treatments, Botox, a lip job done, and then propagating this theory to their followers.

• Advancements in technology: The development of new surgical techniques and technologies has made plastic surgery safer, less invasive, and more effective than ever before. This makes it so accessible to people who never had this kind of access before.

•More affordable: With more plastic surgeons and clinics offering competitive pricing and financing options, plastic surgery is becoming more accessible and affordable to a wider range of people. Really; anyone can get it done today.

•Influence of media and celebrities: Media and celebrities have a significant influence on people’s perceptions of beauty and can create a desire for a certain look or appearance that can be achieved through plastic surgery. Instagram being the leading platform on which millennials and gen Z spend most of their time on, it’s so influential in a negative light. A growing number of people are getting it done for vanity over medical reasons. We all know who those “influencers” and celebrities are, but I’m not going to call them out.

• The claim of Improved self-confidence: Many people who undergo plastic surgery report feeling more confident and satisfied with their appearance, which can have a positive impact on their personal and professional lives. Well, sure if they have medical reasons; such as being in an accident and having a deformed face, vs. wanting to look like a Kylie Jenner.

While plastic surgery can be a life-changing option for many people, it’s important to remember that it is a serious medical procedure and should only be considered after careful consideration and research. What looks like, and what is are two very different things.

THE RISE WITH PLASTIC SURGERY AND “INFLUENCERS”

With growing research on the matter, there could be several reasons why nose and lip jobs are popular among influencers and social media personalities. Here are some possible explanations:

• Aesthetic trends: Certain facial features, such as plump lips and a defined nose, have become popular aesthetic trends in recent years. Social media can play a significant role in promoting these trends and creating a desire among influencers to conform to these standards. Filters on social media such as the viral TikTok Bold Glamour filter powered by AI, aren’t helping. The Bold Glamour TikTok filter is honestly scary, with the filter staying on your face even if your hair falls over your face. We are certainly entering the world of artificial, not sure about intelligence here.

• Enhancing appearance: Influencers and social media personalities rely on their appearance to build their brand and gain followers. Nose and lip jobs can enhance their appearance and help them achieve a more aesthetically pleasing look, which can be advantageous in the competitive world of social media. So even though some of them propagate the real over perfect scenario; they aren’t perfect; and they certainly aren’t real. For some of them; it’s a business.

• Unrealistic expectations: Influencers often heavily curate their online presence, carefully selecting and editing images to present a highly polished and idealized version of themselves. This can create unrealistic expectations of what plastic surgery can achieve, leading individuals to believe that they will achieve the same results as their favorite influencers.

• Lack of transparency: While some influencers are open and honest about their plastic surgery experiences, others may not disclose the full extent of their procedures or the potential risks involved. This can create an incomplete or misleading picture of what plastic surgery entails.

•Personal differences: Everyone’s body and goals are unique, and what works for one person may not work for another. It’s important to consult with a qualified plastic surgeon to determine the most appropriate type of surgery for your individual needs and goals. Sometimes this isn’t essential at all, but it’s a result of insecurities and personal goals.

• Pressure to perform: Influencers may feel pressure to present a highly curated and idealized version of themselves in order to maintain their following and attract sponsorships. This can create a disconnect between their online persona and their true self.

• Social media algorithms: Social media algorithms are designed to promote content that is popular and engaging, which can incentivize influencers to post content that is sensationalized or exaggerated in order to generate likes, comments, and shares.

• Lack of accountability: Social media platforms can provide a sense of anonymity and distance that can make it easier to present a false or inauthentic persona. This lack of accountability can make it tempting for influencers to present an image that is more polished or idealized than their real life.

•Cultural pressures: Society often places a high value on physical appearance and material possessions, which can lead influencers to present a lifestyle or appearance that is unrealistic or unattainable. Skin color is one such factor in some societies of the world. Where lighter skin is considered “superior” over dusky or darker tones.

•Competition: With so many influencers vying for attention on social media, it can be tempting to present a persona that stands out and captures attention, even if it is not entirely authentic.

Food for thought: Everyone can be a self proclaimed influencer, and if every other person is a influencer who are they influencing ?

Lots of Love,

Road Dress Travelled x