A Look At Cosmetic Surgery Around The World
A Look At Cosmetic Surgery Around The World
Correcting your facial structure or mending your figure by means of cosmetic surgery is an urban fad. But is it really? Let’s take a look at cosmetic surgery around the world and its history. Tracing down the origins of plastic surgery, it is revealed that the roots of plastic surgery are as old as 4000 years in India, all the way back to the Indus River Civilization. In fact, the word ‘plastic’ in plastic surgery is commonly understood as an artificial material. When it really stands for the Greek word ‘plastikos’, meaning ‘to mould’ or ‘to give form’.
‘The first plastic surgery procedures recorded in history date back to ancient India.’
Sushruta Samhita
Techniques used by Sushruta, an Indian physicist and also regarded as the ‘father of surgery’, such as using skin grafts; are still used by modern-day surgeons worldwide. He is the one who wrote the Sushruta Samhita – an ancient book of plastic surgery that consists of three kinds of skin grafts and reconstruction of the nose.
The image-obsessed culture
If looks were held high back then there should be no surprise that people value their appearance even today. The image-obsessed culture makes it harder to be content in your own skin. As a result, more and more people are making an ‘informed individual choice’ of going under the knife.
Technological advances in medical science, have given a boost to the popularity of plastic and cosmetic surgeries by making them easily accessible. Amongst the various types of plastic surgeries, the topmost cosmetic surgery procedures undertaken by people worldwide are; breast augmentation, liposuction, nose reshaping, tummy tuck, and eyelid surgery.
A report published by Medzino highlights the popularity of various cosmetic surgeries across the globe in a fun, interactive way.
Plastic surgery of the world
Image Source – Medzino
As the above illustration shows plastic surgery accounts for 15.6% of all other types of cosmetic surgeries. Unsurprisingly, breast implants and other types of breast augmentations surgeries are the most widely practised surgeries across the world. There seems to exist a correlation between cosmetic surgeries and social and cultural trends in various countries across the globe.
Most popular surgeries
Image Source – Medzino
If anything can be taken away from this illustration; it is the fact that America is the world leader even when it comes to cosmetic surgeries. Partly due to the cheaper cost of cosmetic procedures in South America. Also partly because of the Hollywood inspired notion that – bigger is always better. Explaining why breast augmentation surgeries are the highest in America.
Japanese are not far behind with massive per capita cosmetic surgery operations carried out per year. Eyelid surgeries in Japan are an indication of how badly Japanese people want to westernize their appearance. Again, Hollywood and its celebrities are the major influence working behind the scenes there.
To make some real sense out of the report, what Medzino did was create an interactive Tableau backed world map. Which lets you navigate the globe on your fingertips. As you move from one geography to another; the rate of popularity of a particular cosmetic surgery is highlighted in that area. This way you can identify some hidden patterns which were not mentioned in the report.
Men vs Women
Another interesting side of the report is the section that compares cosmetic surgery trends based on gender. Reportedly, men and women are spending equal time and money on their personal appearance now more than ever. It is worthwhile to note that women are still ahead of men when it comes to the number of procedures they undergo. Women have had tailored surgeries specific to their needs which are not applicable to men. Men outweigh women when it comes to surgeries beyond gender constraints. With a whopping margin of 85% and 86% respectively; men are far more actively going for liposuction and tummy tucks than women.
Find more information about the findings from the report here.
As much as it seems like the best way to get your looks corrected or your features highlighted; cosmetic surgery, like everything else, comes with its pros and cons. It may go wrong and if it cannot be undone; you may have to live with it for the rest of your life. Consulting your doc about the risks, side-effects and allergies; will help you decide if you really want to go for it. Your best bet is to do your due diligence and then make your mind up about it.
Featured photo by Pexels
