Running head: COSMETIC SOLUTIONS 1

Cosmetic Solutions

Jacey Wyatt

James Madison University

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Abstract

This research looks at the works of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, David

Castle, and Dr. Anthony Youn. The main ideas of these three pieces revolve around cosmetic

surgeries and there positive and negative effects. The educational opinions of David Castle and

Dr. Youn go hand and hand as they emphasize the idea that cosmetic surgeries performed on

younger women may do more harm than good. On the other side, the research found by the

American Society of Plastic Surgeons dives into the idea that cosmetic surgeries can help young

females improve their self-content. Despite the countless differences in all three articles the

development remains consistent, the media takes a drastic impact on young girls and can cause

them to feel the need to alter their bodies. This issue is alive and well especially in todays

society therefor the research does not end here.

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The resolution for some females to a cosmetic issue is a cosmetic solution. According to

the American Society of Plastic Surgeons there were a total of 229,000 cosmetic procedures

done to women ages thirteen through nineteen in 2016 (2017). This number in younger women

continues to rise each year. Due to unrealistic images portrayed in the media women have started

going through cosmetic surgeries. With societies beauty standards becoming more and more

unrealistic women feel the need to keep up. Distorted images in the media are causing women to

alter their bodies in artificial ways in order to live up to societies definition of beauty. Women of

all shapes and sizes can relate to this unethical standard of beauty that the media has put before

them, but should they be able to undergo artificial surgeries to fit in?

In Body Dysmorphic Disorder and Cosmetic Surgeries David Castle, discourages

women from getting any type of surgery whether it be plastic or cosmetic. The article relates

cosmetic procedures to psychological disorders. According to David Castle, the highest rates of

body dysmorphic disorder are found among people using cosmetic services like plastic surgeons,

cosmetic dermatologist and cosmetic dentists (David, 2017). With surgical procedures rapidly

increasing amongst young women, professionals suggest that more people must get screened for

body dysmorphic disorder. David suggests that going through procedures is psychologically

unhealthy and it can have a negative impact physically and mentally.

In an interview Dr. Anthony Youn puts an emphasis on body dysmorphic disorder as well

and describes all of its negative impacts. It allows the reader to understand the disorder and how

it comes to surface. Dr. Anthony Youn states, BDD is basically a psychiatric condition that

people have where they look in the mirror and they see something completely different than what

everyone else sees (2011). BDD is a common disorder but it should not be taken lightly. For

example, if a woman were to see a bump on her nose that was truly the size of a freckle, instead
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of seeing it for its true size she would see a bump the size of a quarter. These individuals suffer

from an unhealthy self-perception, they believe nothing on their body is normal.

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons contributed to the research in Teenage Girls

and Plastic Surgeries. This work has a distinct viewpoint compared to the other pieces. With

many young girls feeling a lack of self-confidence, the article gives these girls a way out.

Promoting cosmetic surgery can boost a young females self-esteem says supporters of the

issue (2009). The unhappiness women feel when they see their bodies can be cured by surgical

procedures. Supporters of the article explain that most people undergo plastic surgery simply to

feel normal (2009). People should never be robbed of their own individual rights; if women wish

to change their bodies they have the right to do so. Women are trying to survive in this world just

like everyone else and if that means that they have to go through a few procedures to feel good

about themselves, then why not?

In David Castles piece, he draws attention to how too many young girls are undergoing

cosmetic surgeries too early. Evidence has shown that cosmetic surgeries are not always a good

solution to psychological issues for young women. David claims that, one study found up to

70% of people with body dysmorphic disorder had sought out cosmetic procedures, and half

had received such interventions (David, 2017). The information represented in Castles article is

parallel to Dr. Youns stance in his interview. Dr. Youn examines how when young women alter

their bodies it does not automatically fix any psychological disorder that they may be trying to

overcome. He states that I am not a fan of any type of cosmetic surgery for anybody who is a

minor (2011). Dr. Youn and Castle would agree that cosmetic surgery is a big decision and

should not be a solution to a psychological problem.

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Dr. Youn and The American Society of Plastic Surgeons highlight key points on

womens self-confidence. Dr. Youn agrees that women should do what they feel is right to be

beautiful, but discourages plastic surgery at a young age (2011). The American Society of

Plastic Surgeons claims, teenagers should not be forced to suffer when a simple surgical

procedure can fix virtually any perceived flaw in their appearance (2009). Each piece is trying

to pinpoint the main idea that a woman should never feel less of themselves because of their

looks. Both individuals would recognize that cosmetic surgery should be a long and thoughtful

process, never make this type of decision by impulse.

David Castles work and the research of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons differ

greatly in personal opinion about whether or not the answer to self-fulfillment is cosmetic

surgery. The topic is controversial and both articles stand on opposite sides of the spectrum.

Castle confirms that, the strategy is that cosmetic procedures-by definition-do not solve the

underlying psychological problem (2017). A psychological problem does not automatically

mean a cosmetic solution. On the other side of the spectrum some individuals believe cosmetic

surgeries are a cure. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons states that, defenders wonder

why such teenagers should be forced to suffer when a simple surgical procedure can fix virtually

any perceived flaw in their appearance (2009). Supporters of cosmetic surgeries believe that life

is too short to not feel beautiful in your own skin, so undergoing a surgical procedure can boost

your morale.

In When Wanting Beauty Becomes an Unhealthy Obsession Dr. Youn makes a

compelling point, the reason for all of this cosmetic surgery is the result of the media taking an

impact on womens views (2011). Although Youn clearly states that cosmetic surgery is not for

everyone of all ages it can be justified for certain cases. The American Society of Plastic
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Surgeons makes an argument that since celebrities are undergoing such surgical procedures then

the general public can too. They have claimed that In the popular consciousness, plastic surgery

is most commonly associated with Hollywood celebrities. Magazines such as Us

Weekly and People often point out which singers, actors and socialites have undergone cosmetic

surgery (2011). The main reason women are changing their bodies is to comply with the beauty

standards that celebrities are initiating. Women want to look like other women that are

considered beautiful.

Throughout my extensive research I have learned that the topic of cosmetic surgeries is

justified for some individuals but unethical for others, revolving around age. Regardless the

number of women undergoing physically altering surgeries is continuing to rise. The rapid

increase is solely due to social media and beauty advertisements, creating an unreal perception of

true beauty.

My personal view on my research topic did not change as I found new information. I

believe everyone is beautiful in their own way, just like my mother used to tell me when I was

little It is not just about the beauty thats on the outside, it is about the beauty that lies on the

inside too. Just because celebrities fall under the pressure of changing their appearance does not

mean that we have to do so too. Every woman has the right to alter their body for whatever

reason. However, I find it unethical to change your appearance just because you wish to look like

someone else. Individual cases can very and the justifications can be the cause of numerous

reasons but I would encourage girls who wish to take this route to really question themselves as

to why they are doing this. Is it because it causes you physical pain or are you unhappy with

yourself because you are not fitting into societies standards?

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My first source complimented my pre-established viewpoint. David discourages cosmetic

surgeries in women and presented information on how much the media influences those big life

decisions. David Castle also argues that although women may be facing psychological issues

regarding their appearance, cosmetic surgeries will not benefit them. You can alter your physical

state but it does not necessarily mean your mind set will change as well. The argument the author

presents contributes to my argument by backing it up; as well as giving it compelling evidence to

convince readers that cosmetic surgery is very unnecessary.

David and Dr. Youns opinions had many similarities, both reinforcing and influencing

my viewpoint. David believes that women should feel beautiful and exceptional in their own

skin. As Doctor Youn goes more in depth with disorders that women are facing he also makes a

good point about how women should really embrace their diversity and appearance. It would be

a very boring world if all women looked the same. Being different should never be translated

into being unattractive. These articles compliment my argument greatly by reiterating the fact

that women do not have to undergo surgeries to become beautiful. We are all created to be

different and we should embrace that difference, that is what true beauty is all about.

The work done by the American Society of Cosmetic Surgeons, has an opposite

viewpoint compared to my own. Although, I did become more knowledgeable on the fact that

depending on the individual cosmetic surgery may improve self-esteem. The author emphasized

that if young girls are struggling to love themselves mentally a quick fix to that would be to

change yourself physically. As a result, I really believe all three articles have valid points, it just

depends on what is best for the individual. Instead of this article contributing to my argument, it

challenged it. The document gave me another viewpoint allowing me to see the other side. I
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found it very interesting to see how one could defend and justify cosmetic surgeries for younger

girls.

This topic really interests me and I would find it compelling to research the issue in the

next few years, to observe the increase or decrease in younger girls undergoing surgeries. I

would predict that the rates of cosmetic surgeries will continue to rise dramatically because of

the impact that social media has on my generation. My research on this controversy is not over.
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References

Castle, D. J. (2017). Body dysmorphic disorder and cosmetic surgery: are surgeons too quick to

nip and tuck? In Opposing Viewpoints Online Collection. Detroit: Gale. Retrieved from

http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/QXFQCU919629584/OVIC?u=viva_jmu&xid=fcc70

232

Teenage girls and plastic surgeries. (2009, July 10). Issues and Controversies, Retrieved from

http://icof.infobaselearning.com/articles/families-and-youth/teenage-girls-and-plastic-

surgery.aspx?sr=1&tab=1&hd=2134.

When wanting beauty becomes an unhealthy obsession. (2011, Aug 22). Opposing Viewpoints in

Context, Retrieved From

link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A264943663/OVIC?u=viva_jmu&xid=77bb8555.