From Botox to nose jobs: How cosmetic surgery became a Hollywood obsession

In the dazzling world of celebrities, looking flawless while the camera is rolling can either make or break someone's career, and cosmetic surgery has served both as a means to reinvention and a source of controversy.

 The subject of surgery has seamlessly transitioned into a domestic conversation, with public figures using these procedures to transform not only their own identities, but worldwide standards of beauty.

From taboo to trendsetting

In the past, people kept secrets far better. In her biography The Secret Life of Marilyn Monroe, the author writes how Monroe made a number of modifications to herself, including a refined nose and slimmer jaw. These subtle changes speculated to have taken place to emote natural beauty and were encapsulated away from the public eye.

Now, dominating headlines instead is Kylie Jenner who not only used lip fillers but later also rinsed and repeated, spawning further increase in plastic surgeries worldwide. 

Cardi B also openly acknowledged undergoing these surgeries, like illegal butt implants and breast augmentation before ultimately removing them for health reasons.

Alongside transforming the perceptions of personal enhancements, cosmetic procedures emerged as a cultural importance due to the stigma rebutted by these stars.

Redefining beauty standards

Some celebrities have not only accepted cosmetic procedures but have also pioneered what is deemed attractive in contemporary society. 

It is believed Kim Kardashian was the first to popularize the curvy hourglass figure; she is rumored to have undergone a series of body contouring procedures, including a Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL), which she has never corroborated. Kardashian’s influence on culture and society was so significant that today  BBL is considered one of the most popular surgeries.

It is believed that top model Bella Hadid underwent cosmetic surgery at fifteen, although she has claimed that she had a nose job before the age of fourteen.

Although she later regretted the decision, the phrase “I wish I kept the nose of my ancestors” became iconic. Hadid’s metamorphosis became the archetype of the modern ‘Instagram face’ with chiseled cheeks, lifted eyes, and nuanced features.

Now, people mummify themselves so intensely following trends on social media that they can be seen rushing into plastic surgery clinics demanding “Kylie Jenner lips” or “Bella Hadid eyes.”

Mental health, identity, and hidden costs

It is extremely rare for cosmetic surgery to be superficial. For countless prominent public figures, cosmetic surgery today is a reflection of self-image turmoil, an identity crisis, and the suffocating scrutiny that often comes with fame.

Fillers seem to have their fair share of notoriety, as actress Courteney Cox explained her apologies towards a more natural look signifying the overuse of facial fillers in an attempt to look youthful. “You don’t realize that you look a little off, so then you keep doing more,” reflecting the regret that often accompanies fixation.

Even modern-day icons aren’t shielded. Michael Jackson’s extensive surgeries, especially his nose and jawline surgery, became tragic trophies in the battle with self-inflicted trauma and an identity crisis. 

Fame often enhances body dysmorphia, revealing how body modification surgically policed beauty with these example.

Surgery gone wrong: The plague of regrets

Not every cosmetic enhancement ends on a positive note. Tara Reid enduringly suffered from the side effects of her liposuction and breast augmentations, which had made her career at stake due to the skin deformities. She long after expressed, “My stomach became the most ripple, bulgy thing.”

Actor Mickey Rourke was considered a sex symbol at one point until he had to take several surgeries post boxing injuries. Sadly, his sex symbol status got destroyed post heavy boxing inflicted surgeries because of how un-reclaimable they made his face. Rourke later admitted, "I went to the wrong guy to put my face back together."

On the other hand, Donda West,  mother of American rapper Kanye West suffered plastic surgery complication and  passed away in 2007.

Impact on society

When it comes to surgeries, people are constantly encouraged by the people that have the most influence over their everyday lives, including editable pics taken through sophisticated social media filters. The gap between pictured reality and plastic surgeries seems to become more distant every day.

The fact that  women are also offered plastic surgeries makes it extremely alarming. Procedures such as fat buccal removal (endorsed by Chrissy Teigen) is on the rise and risk-free Botox is on the rise — which is also inflicted by social media influencers taking pictures in their early twenties.