Cosmetic Culture – Is Cosmetic Surgery Becoming The Norm?
Cosmetic surgery used to be for only the rich and famous. Nowadays, a quick like, share and tagging a friend is all it takes to get your hands on a few millilitres of lip filler. It’s clear that cosmetic procedures are becoming evermore accessible, affordable, popular and dare we say… normal?
The rise in demand for cosmetic enhancements goes hand in hand with the strive for perfection. The body image-focused society we live in allows us no room to run and hide from pressures. While our Instagram feeds are fuelled by the idealistic lives of influencers and celebrities, many of us spend six days a week of our summer with a 9pm curfew for Love Island. Even though I’m a fan of the show as much as the next person, the ‘Love Island Effect’ is a concept we cannot ignore. The idea relates to the Social Comparison Theory and the way we feel compelled to compare ourselves to others. Our comparisons now venture far beyond our friends and family, stretching across social media platforms and reality TV.
With our body image insecurity reminders more regular than a work alarm clock, we can’t be blamed for looking for a solution. Interestingly, procedures will soon be offered on the high street. Superdrug will be the first high street pharmacy store to offer botox and derma fillers. As of August 15th, qualified nurses in their Strand store will be performing their botox-based ‘Skin Renew Service’ with prices starting from just £99.00. The service is carried out in a private room and is available for over 25s only. But could this increase in obtainability be taken as encouragement? It can be difficult to say no when beauty standards are leading you to feel progressively inferior. Fortunately, more and more movements are encouraging self-love and acceptance, and beauty brands (many of which we stock here at Oxygen Boutique) are supporting natural beauty.
Regardless of the cosmetic procedure you are interested in, it is important to make sure you are doing it for the right reasons and not due to social pressures. There is nothing wrong with having work done if it makes you feel more comfortable in your own skin, just know you are beautiful with or without enhancement. In the words of RuPaul, ‘If you can’t love yourself, how in the hell are you gonna love somebody else?’
The rise in demand for cosmetic enhancements goes hand in hand with the strive for perfection. The body image-focused society we live in allows us no room to run and hide from pressures. While our Instagram feeds are fuelled by the idealistic lives of influencers and celebrities, many of us spend six days a week of our summer with a 9pm curfew for Love Island. Even though I’m a fan of the show as much as the next person, the ‘Love Island Effect’ is a concept we cannot ignore. The idea relates to the Social Comparison Theory and the way we feel compelled to compare ourselves to others. Our comparisons now venture far beyond our friends and family, stretching across social media platforms and reality TV.
With our body image insecurity reminders more regular than a work alarm clock, we can’t be blamed for looking for a solution. Interestingly, procedures will soon be offered on the high street. Superdrug will be the first high street pharmacy store to offer botox and derma fillers. As of August 15th, qualified nurses in their Strand store will be performing their botox-based ‘Skin Renew Service’ with prices starting from just £99.00. The service is carried out in a private room and is available for over 25s only. But could this increase in obtainability be taken as encouragement? It can be difficult to say no when beauty standards are leading you to feel progressively inferior. Fortunately, more and more movements are encouraging self-love and acceptance, and beauty brands (many of which we stock here at Oxygen Boutique) are supporting natural beauty.
Regardless of the cosmetic procedure you are interested in, it is important to make sure you are doing it for the right reasons and not due to social pressures. There is nothing wrong with having work done if it makes you feel more comfortable in your own skin, just know you are beautiful with or without enhancement. In the words of RuPaul, ‘If you can’t love yourself, how in the hell are you gonna love somebody else?’