Plastic surgery is more popular than ever thanks to photoshopped images of young women portrayed in magazines, commercials and television. An increased desire to look a certain way can have an unhealthy impact on self-esteem and self-worth. However, small changes in our appearance can help us feel confident. What happens when the desire to look perfect becomes an obsession? Plastic surgery addiction occurs when one procedure turns into another and soon, you no longer even look like yourself.

This blog covers the rising popularity of plastic surgery, factors that can lead to obsession, the risks involved and the impact it has on your mental and physical health.

Overview of Plastic Surgery Addiction and Body Dysmorphia

Plastic surgery addiction is often linked to a mental health condition known as body dysmorphic disorder (BDD). BDD is an obsessive-compulsive disease that causes an individual to constantly think about their flaws or personal defects. These imperfections may even be minor or nonexistent to others. People with BDD tend to struggle to accept their natural looks and may even fixate on perceived flaws in specific areas of the body, such as their stomach, nose or skin. This focus can lead some to seek ways to fix themselves with plastic surgery. Unfortunately, the satisfaction from one procedure is often temporary and is followed by the desire to fix another part of the body, which can lead to plastic surgery addiction.

Psychological Factors That Contribute to Addiction

There are two main forms of addiction: substance use disorders and behavioral addictions. Both types involve a strong mental or emotional dependency on something. In the case of plastic surgery, the addiction stems from the intense desire to achieve a perfect look or appearance. Just like someone with a drug or alcohol addiction, those with a behavioral addiction spend excessive amounts of time thinking about the emotional or psychological effects of a specific activity.

Almost everyone has the desire to look and feel better about themselves, but there are deeper issues that can turn this desire into an addiction. These include:

  • Comparing yourself with others. Celebrities and social media make it easy to compare yourself with the perfect versions of people online. This is because most pictures of celebrities use heavy filters and are professionally edited to look flawless. Insecurities can make some people pursue plastic surgery to look just as good.
  • Low self-esteem. Some people with low self-esteem will do anything to feel better about themselves. Plastic surgery may provide feelings of self-acceptance and satisfaction, even if it’s just temporary.
  • Seeking approval from others. Individuals who look a certain way or fit society’s norms of good looks tend to get more attention and validation than those who don’t. Some people will seek plastic surgery to receive attention and validation for themselves. Once that acceptance wears off and others stop noticing your looks, you may schedule more procedures to gain those feelings again.
  • Mental health conditions. Your mental health can have a direct impact on your personality and addictive behaviors. Conditions such as depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder and anxiety sometimes occur alongside plastic surgery addiction, which can make it much harder for an individual to recognize that their addiction is unhealthy.
  • Perfectionists. Perfectionists are people who feel everything must be perfect for them to be happy. Those with perfectionist tendencies may never feel good enough, no matter how much plastic surgery they have. So, they continue having one procedure after another.

Signs of Unhealthy Dependence on Cosmetic Procedures

Plastic surgery can be extremely beneficial for some, but when the activity begins to impact their everyday life, it may be time to seek professional help. If someone you love exhibits any of the following signs, it may be an indication they have an addiction.

  • Frequent procedures. An individual who’s addicted to plastic surgery may schedule multiple procedures at once or have work done frequently.
  • Constant feelings of insecurity. In spite of having multiple procedures, the person is rarely happy with their appearance and thinks having more surgery will solve the problem.
  • Inability to stop seeking treatments. The person insists on having a new procedure, even if their physician advises against it. Sometimes, they’ll go to several different doctors to achieve their goals.
  • Impulsive behaviors. The individual makes a sudden decision to have a new procedure.
  • Financial consequences. Most insurance companies won’t cover cosmetic surgery, so the individual will have to pay the bill on their own. Someone with a plastic surgery addiction may find themselves overextended with bills and struggling with money.
  • Actions interfere with everyday life. If someone’s addiction to their appearance starts affecting their job, relationships and other areas of their life, it may be time to intervene.

Consequences for Mental and Physical Health

In many cases, plastic surgery can have a positive effect on your mental well-being. Some individuals report reduced anxiety and depression, lower levels of dysmorphia and a higher quality of life. However, these people generally go in with the expectation of improving one area of their body they aren’t happy with, such as disfiguration.

Plastic surgery can also have some negative consequences that may lead to health problems and additional mental issues, including:

  • Excessive scarring
  • Infection
  • Delayed healing
  • Nerve damage
  • Formation of hematomas or seromas
  • Allergic reactions
  • Persistent pain and discomfort

Seeking Help

Just like someone struggling with a substance abuse problem, those with an addiction to surgery should seek help, whether it’s professional help or support from family and friends. Sometimes the addiction requires several methods for recovery:

  • Counseling and therapy. Talking to a mental health provider can help you get to the bottom of your BDD. Talk therapy, or cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), is very effective at treating plastic surgery addiction.
  • Support groups. Whether it’s online or in person, addiction support groups let you talk about your experience in a safe place with others who understand. You’ll learn how others cope with addiction.
  • Family and friends. Having a strong support system is one of the best ways to cope with any addiction. Loved ones can encourage self-acceptance and let you know when your behavior is damaging.

For more resources for someone addicted to plastic surgery, contact Sunlight Recovery to see how our treatment programs can help. We offer several mental health treatment options to help you on the road to recovery.