Dissatisfaction with the physical appearance is a common concern in both genders alike. Especially, as the quarantine restrictions are lifting and people are returning to the normal modes of social interaction, everyone is now expected to be physically present out there in the real world instead of sitting at their desks and doing their tasks from their computer screens. So, this makes people more conscious than ever about how they look. And in their search for quick solutions regarding their appearances, cosmetic surgery comes up as an easy fix.
The psychology behind the rise of cosmetic surgery
Improved physical appearance is directly proportional to one's self-esteem, no matter how shallow it might seem. As quarantine is coming to an end and everyone is returning to their normal lives, people are more ready than ever to invest in themselves. One easy and permanent solution people often resort to concerning their physical appearances is cosmetic surgery.
Breast augmentation, rhinoplasty, liposuction, face-lifts, laser resurfacing, hair transplants, etc are now more on the rise. Regardless of the reasons, surgical procedures can have lasting impacts on a person's self-esteem, shyness, self-image, and quality of life.
Especially cosmetic dentistry has seen a particular increase in recent times because of all the perfect Hollywood smiles that are often portrayed on advertisements on Television and social media platforms. People compare their dental status with others and often keep staring in the mirror to check their teeth color and try to hide their defects with the help of white fillings, inlays and Onlays, teeth whitening pastes, and different cosmetic treatments.
The majority of dental patients' choices have shifted from maintaining hygiene to improving their physical appearance. Procedures such as Tooth whitening and bonding, veneers, white fillings, laser treatments, dental implants, teeth straightening, etc are now more common than ever.
The Impact of Video Calling on body image
Another factor that might have contributed to this rise in cosmetic surgeries is our increased exposure to the facial features we do not like. As online video call services such as Zoom were the normal mode of communication in quarantine, it made people more conscious of their physical appearance than they were ever before.
Looking at our faces constantly for hours can be stressful and if you are not comfortable about how you appear then the increased emphasis on facial cues and the ability to see oneself can also act as a catalyst in increasing your insecurities. Becoming more conscious about your double chin, dopey smile, or occasional eye rolls can affect our self-confidence and incite more intense doubts about our physical appearances and make you feel as if you need a facial reconstruction to look better.
Media, advertisements, increased self-consciousness due to online video calling platforms, and the need to be presentable and acceptable in society as the pandemic wears off is different factors that can lead people to become more exposed to their insecurities and to help themselves overcome this, they find cosmetic surgery as a quick and easy solution.