The Meaning of Beauty Changes over Time - Essay Example

In Majority of Cases Cosmetic Surgery not only improves the external appearance, but also makes the individual more confident and happier The meaningof beauty changes over time, from culture to culture, from geographic location to location. Indeed, beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder. But a fact that has always been proven is that, regardless of age or culture, everyone admires beauty. This explains why attractive people succeed in the world. Beauty is appealing. Good looks give people huge confidence to go out into the world. In the modern age of competition and fast paced lifestyle, being beautiful is one of the contents of an indispensable package that likewise contains the formal education and good breeding. Hence, beauty is regarded by today’s generation as necessary and not a choice. However, not everyone is fortunate to be born with natural external beauty. Nevertheless, the tremendous advancement in the area of medical science has a solution to this problem. Presently, if one has an adequate amount of financial resources one can improve their physical appearance. The method of cosmetic surgery can provide one with an improved external appearance and possibly a better life. Definition of Cosmetic Surgery Cosmetic surgery is a surgical specialty of medical science that deals with a variety of corrective treatments (Gail, 2000). The objective is to enhance ones outward physical appearance by changing particular features. In the 1990s, people could not even think beyond particular kinds of hair transplant or methods of face-lift or lips enhancement. Presently, one can choose from different beautifying procedures that can improve almost all parts of one’s body, beginning from the head to the feet. With the fast paced advancement in this area of medical science it is not beyond the bounds of possibility to acquire the alluring lips of Beyonce, as it is also not impossible to get the buttocks of Jennifer Lopez. With the assistance of certain surgical methods such as Rhinoplasty or nose surgery, Blepharoplasty or eyelid surgery one can become the owner of an enhanced external appearance. Non-facial cosmetic procedures have likewise become important in defining beauty. Liposuction and breast implants are some of the well known cosmetic procedure that promises one to give an improved outward appearance. Other modern procedures likewise include different kinds of facial implants and chemical face peels that help one maintain a youthful appearance or correct hereditary imperfections. Cosmetic surgery beyond Physical Enhancement In present day modern world, a beautiful face is not enough. An attractive face must be matched with a shapely figure. Hence, cosmetic science of today has gone beyond just facial corrections. The bottom line is that self confidence is huge factor of success and a beautiful appearance adds to one’s confidence. That is why there is little reason why one should not grab the chance of correcting the imperfections one is born with. Moreover, present day cosmetic treatments involve less risk, pain and better guarantees of desired results. Preserving an attractive appearance demands hard work. Sometimes one’s diet, exercise and commitment to a healthy lifestyle are not sufficient. Cosmetic surgery procedures can help one be in control of their appearance so they are happy about themselves.     Cosmetic surgery may likewise improve one’s relationship with other people. Healthy relationships can enhance one’s self-esteem and could enable people to experience a better social life. Experiencing confidence in one’s appearance can help in enjoying social situations and develop long term relationships. The person will not be held back because of a low physical image or poor self-esteem.   From enhancing self confidence to decreasing depression, cosmetic surgery may be an important connection to one’s happiness. Although it should not be employed as a ‘short cut’ solution to a problem or issues that may need professional help, it provides an opportunity to improve one’s life.    Scientific Proof of Positive Effects of Cosmetic Surgery Research results from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons Plastic Surgery 2006 conference (Gail, 2000) prove the connection between cosmetic surgery patients and a decreased reliance on antidepressant medicine. Some doctors suggest that certain patients who had went through plastic surgery discontinued taking antidepressants briefly after their treatment. It could be concluded that plastic surgery patients felt better and did not need to continue taking medicine to deal with depression. However, doctors also caution patients not to rely mainly on plastic surgery because they are unhappy with their life. They advise people experiencing huge life changes or other stress in their lives to avoid big changes in their physical appearance until the pressure subsides.     Cosmetic surgery can also increase years to one’s life and improve one’s confidence. When a person consistently feels good about his appearance, it may lower the incidence of depression, because maintaining consistent good amount of self esteem may make a person sense happiness all over. According to Arthur Perry (2007), a research on self-esteem and interpersonal success published in the Psychological Science in the Public Interest indicates that, “Self-esteem has a strong connection to happiness”. The effect of improving one’s self-esteem that it affects other areas of one’s life such as being able to connect more easily with others and enjoying better long term relationships with others.   Whether one is getting a chemical peel or liposuction, beautifying one’s appearance can provide an increase of self confidence. Although strengthening one’s self-image starting from the inside would still be more significant than any outward enhancement, Richard Stark, MD (1985) “If one has a low self-image or is not happy with how they look, cosmetic and reconstructive surgery is their answer. Psychologically, patients get a strong boost from such surgery". An enhancement in physical appearance does affect the perception of other people. Despite what one feel internally, other people use physical appearance to gauge their impression of a person. One’s appearance and presentation communicates many things about the person and his expectations. Some positive psychologists may claim that physical attractiveness does not appear to determine people’s happiness. However, it cannot be denied that attractive people have an objective advantage. Research indicates that attractive people (male and female) are more regarded and treated more positively. They have better chances of getting hired, earn higher incomes, achieve higher marks, have better social skills, and are even less prone to commit crimes. When one is not comfortable about certain features in his/her physical appearance, it can make him/her depressed. Some people feel bad when they attempt to zip up their jeans. Or they do not like how they look in the mirror. For instance, they may have a natural frown on their forehead, although they feel happy inside. That is why they would their physical appearance to reflect their inner beauty. In fact, research indicates that, on average, people who undergo cosmetic surgery were highly satisfied with their procedures. In addition, they also report improvements in the qualities of their lives years after the procedure. People may say that inner beauty is what counts, and one is as gorgeous as he/she feels. This may be true for some. But for most people, it is easier to feel more attractive when they look better physically. And as much as people may hope that physical appearance is not important, experience will prove that it does affect happiness. References Gail, S.. (2000). Cosmetic Surgery: Before, Between and After. California: Melange Unlimited. Perry, A.. (2007). Straight Talk about Cosmetic Surgery. New Haven: Yale University Press. Stark, R.. (1985) Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. New York: Springer. Volume 9, Number 1. Read More