Work

Does cosmetic surgery improve psychosocial wellbeing?

Year: 2002

Type: article

Abstract: Both men and women are becoming increasingly concerned about their physical appearance and are seeking cosmetic enhancement. Most studies report that people are generally happy with the outcome of cosmetic procedures, but little rigorous evaluation has been done. More extensive ("type change") procedures (eg, rhinoplasty) appear to require greater psychological adjustment by the patient than "restorative" procedures (eg, face-lift). Patients who have unrealistic expectations of outcome are more likely to be dissatisfied with cosmetic procedures. Some people are never satisfied with cosmetic interventions, despite good procedural outcomes. Some of these have a psychiatric disorder called "body dysmorphic disorder".

Source: The Medical Journal of Australia

DOI: 10.5694/j.1326-5377.2002.tb04593.x

Authors: David J Castle, Roberta J Honigman, Katharine A Phillips

Institutions: Mental Health Research Institute, The University of Melbourne, Brown University, Butler Hospital

Language: English

Topic: Body Image and Dysmorphia Studies

Subfield: Clinical Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funder: National Institute of Mental Health