By Xhiljola Nano

There seems to be a constant increase in cosmetic plastic surgery in our world today. The pressure to be perfect and almost plastic looking has increased and people are constantly trying to achieve unrealistic results when it comes to the way they look. Teenagers as young as sixteen-years old are beginning to have plastic surgery done, almost as much as other age groups. Also, even though women outranked men in almost every category when it came to cosmetic surgery, it still does not undermine the fact that cosmetic surgery for men is increasing as well. 

According to plastic surgeon, Frank J. Ferraro, 9% of surgical and non-surgical procedures are now conducted on men. The most common cosmetic surgery procedure done by both men and women under the age of 35 has been Botox injections. In addition, contrary to what many might believe, according to the AAFPRS, only 14% of doctors saw an increase in request for celebrity procedures. 

In a society with celebrities such as Heidi Montag, Megan Fox and Kim Kardashian, it is surprising to see that many people are not personally influenced by the icons they hold to such high regards.

Heidi Montag became known for her famous ten plastic surgeries in one day, completely transforming the way she looks. In several interviews she has said that she has regretted the procedures and does not want to be defined by this choice. However, on the other hand, we have celebrity icon Megan Fox, who has not stopped performing surgical and non-surgical procedures throughout the years.

Unlike Heidi Montag, Megan believes she needs to have these procedures done in order to maintain her beauty. Plastic surgeon Dr. Guida estimates that Megan has had up to $60,000 work of work done from Botox, eyelid surgery, nose job etc.

Last, but not least, Kim Kardashian, an icon idolized by many young girls of our generation looks like a plastic doll. Though she denies having done any surgical cosmetic procedures, the use of Botox, breast augmentation and liposuction is not denied. Unlike the former two celebrities mentioned, Kim seems to have a much more nonchalant feeling about her cosmetic procedures. Just like the differences these celebrities have in their reasons when performing cosmetic surgery, so do regular people.

When questioning a former classmate from college about her beliefs in plastic surgery, she said “If one surgery is what stands between someone and their happiness, then there’s nothing wrong with it.” As sad as it might be to believe, a person’s happiness can be and is often influenced by the way they look. 

On the other hand, many other people just do not think that cosmetic surgery is a big deal and have no problem having procedures done if the need arises. As actor Scarlett Johansson has once said “I definitely believe in plastic surgery. I don’t want to be an old hag. There’s no fun in that.” It seems that sometimes it is just as simple as that.

Whether celebrity procedures are requested by people regularly or not, it still can not be avoided that people are at some level influenced by media. Photoshop has set an unrealistic image about what people should look like and many celebrities are admired and employed simply because of they way they look. The high standards as to which looks are held in our society can not be ignored and that will remain one of the strongest reasons as to why cosmetic procedures of any sort are increasing throughout the years.