Cosmetic Surgery: The Reason Americans Want to Look Perfect

With over 10 billion dollars last year spent by Americans on cosmetic surgery we can’t help but ask why? The answers may vary from person to person but the phenomenon of surgically modifying your appearance continues to grow at an exponential rate in the United States. As Americans we search to find perfection and excellence in everything we do if that includes modifying our natural bodies surgically to achieve a specific look or persona. This is especially true among women because they account for 91% of all cosmetic procedures. So why in such a developed and civilized society are we performing surgeries that the outside world may view as immoral and taboo? The answer is simple. We are a society that relies on the approval of others to truly believe we fit in. This idea is spread across tabloids, reality TV shows, and an ever growing fear of the effects of aging on the human body.

The idea of fitting in amongst the face paced lifestyle and continually evolving style of the American culture is one of the major causes of the success in the cosmetic surgery industry. These procedures are most common among women because as a society we place a deep focus on the beauty of women. With high expectations women often feel they fall short of the status quo and turn to cosmetic surgery to feel more comfortable about their bodies. The top 5 most common cosmetic surgeries are breast augmentation, nasal reshaping, eyelid surgery, liposuction, and facelift procedures. If we have the technology and skill to make someone feel more comfortable people are going to be open and willing to participate in these procedures. Cosmetic surgeons also offer a variety of cosmetic procedures that can be done in a doctor’s office setting. Thes...

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...long period of time. These surgeries allow them to continue to look their best and stay in the industry. If celebrities loose the image they once had they are given up on and a new better looking individual takes their place. In a cut-throat environment like this people will do whatever it takes to gain the competitive edge over everyone else. One of the main reasons celebrities can maintain perfection is the access they have to the top doctors and finances needed to perform these cosmetic procedures. It is not coincidence that the most expensive and skilled cosmetic surgeons are found in places like Beverly Hills, California where celebrities reside. The accessibility and convenience of these surgeries has deemed them socially acceptable and when we see that celebrities are doing these things it becomes that much more intriguing to the average person.