Costhetics reports the news, even when it’s not good. In this post, we examine the consequences of the world’s growing obsession with physical perfection and the sometimes too-high price that people pay for it.
Cosmetic Con:“She Was Thinking About Letting Someone Else Have It…”
In October 2014, beauty queen Catherine Cando Cornejo was looking ahead to a brighter and slimmer future. Just 19 years old, she had won a major pageant in Ecuado and a prize package that included free cosmetic enhancement. Cornejohad not previously considered making alterations to her stunning body, but she was convinced to make her tiny waist even slimmer with the help of liposuction. As reported in the New York Post:
“The doctor insisted on several occasions . . . and convinced her to undergo surgery. She was thinking about letting someone else have it as a freebie, but eventually she agreed to have it just to get him off her back.” – Daniel Zavala Cornejo, brother
Three months later in January of 2015, Cornejo checked into a hospital. Ten hours later, her family was notified that she had died of cardiac arrest. However, further investigation revealed that the young woman had died of cerebral oedema, likely due to problems with anaesthesia.
The doctor who treated her has been charged with medical malpractice. If convicted, he will spend no more than three years in prison.
Costhetics News: BBC Says 50% of Twenty-something’s Are Nipped/Tucked
In Seoul, Korea, visible signs of ageing may be out, but visible signs of cosmetic enhancement are a badge of pride. In fact, one former President had double-eyelid surgery while he was still in office.
It is estimated that 20-30% of women in Seoul have had cosmetic surgery. Surprisingly, that number goes even higher when the age of the patient is lower:
“By conservative estimates, 50% of South Korean women in their 20s have had some form of cosmetic surgery” – BBC
What drives the obsession with appearance?
In contrast to Western cultures, external factors such as clothes, gestures, and especially appearance, are more prized than internal factors such as thoughts and feelings. This mind-set can be attributed, in part, to Confucianism, which teaches that
“…behaviour toward others is all-important….In Korea, we don’t care what you think about yourself. Other people’s evaluations of you matter more.” – Eunkook Mark Suh, psychology professor, Yonsei University, in Seoul
The competitive nature of appearance is pushing young women to change their appearance even when they don’t want to. As one Korean college student said, “When you’re nineteen, all the girls get plastic surgery, so if you don’t do it, after a few years, your friends will all look better, but you will look like your unimproved you.”
Why Costhetics Remains “Pro” Professional Cosmetic Enhancement
We say “Go for it” to anyone who wants to take advantage of proven products and procedures. Cosmetic enhancement can be a wonderful way to feel more attractive, competitive at work and in love, less self-conscious and more self-confident. We are grateful to all the professionals – dermatologists, injectors, skin care specialists, etc. – who have dedicated themselves to helping others achieve their personal best.
We passionately believe that cosmetic surgery and aesthetic enhancement are valuable solutions for people who want to improve their appearance. We also believe (just as passionately) that it is important to make improvements on the inside. Self-love can act as a bottomless fountain of youth, while self-loathing and self-doubt can lead to disaster.
We love you just the way you are. You should love yourself that way, too.