Is Plastic Surgery a Feminist Statement?

In the past, plastic surgery was often viewed as a way for women to adhere to unrealistic standards of beauty.

However, changing attitudes and reduced stigma have prompted many women to consider cosmetic treatments as means of reconciling their looks with how they feel on the inside.

In fact, a number of female patients and aesthetic experts believe that plastic surgery can help women increase their self-esteem and improve their quality of life.  Some are even proposing that it’s a form of female empowerment.

So, is plastic surgery a feminist statement? Here’s what you need to know.

How Can Plastic Surgery Empower Women?

Rather than confine women to certain stereotypes, plastic surgery can provide a sense of liberation.

This is especially true as female patients become empowered to address aesthetic concerns that are causing a disconnect between their outer appearance and inner emotions and beliefs.

Therefore, whether it’s Botox to decrease wrinkles or a breast augmentation to address shape concerns, personal-care and improvement can be a freeing experience.

Plastic surgery can also help women feel more like their true selves, and many report that they’ve become more authentic and open in their relation to others after a cosmetic enhancement.

From a Feminist Perspective: What Are the Benefits of Plastic Surgery?

In addition to empowerment, plastic surgery can also lead to increased confidence and an enhanced image that has far-reaching effects for women.

To start, researchers have found that surgical and non-invasive procedures can improve self-esteem and elevate a woman’s professional standing with greater job satisfaction and career success.

Additionally, cosmetic treatments can have a positive effect on a woman’s quality of life and personal interactions, while limiting social phobias, anxiety, and depression.

Plastic Surgery Should Be an Informed and Personal Choice

American feminist Gloria Steinem has encouraged women to accept their bodies on their own terms. Therefore, the decision to undergo plastic surgery should be one that a patient deliberately makes because it feels right for her.

And because the body can be an expression and an extension of one’s self, women should seek personal satisfaction if and when they choose to undergo plastic surgery.

To learn more about plastic surgery and if it may be right for you, please call or fill out the contact form to request your complimentary consultation with Dr. Kelly Bolden at Cultura.