Are celebrities getting too much plastic surgery?

While plastic surgery is a personal choice, normalising it - particularly among young and impressionable audiences - can influence how others view themselves and their appearance. Cosmetic surgery should ideally be about enhancing your natural features, allowing you to still look like yourself rather than creating an entirely different image.

Some before and after plastic surgery celebrities have sparked public concern by appearing dramatically different from their original look. Charlotte Crosby is often cited as looking unrecognisable compared to her early career, while Katie Price frequently appears in the media for the extensive procedures she’s had. Khloe Kardashian is another example, with many observers commenting that her transformation is so extreme she no longer resembles her former self.

These high-profile cases often fuel debate around the impact of celebrity influence, body image and the long-term emotional effects of multiple cosmetic procedures.

Social media and plastic surgery

Social media can create pressure on individuals to conform to the unrealistic ideals of beauty or attractiveness. This can lead to some pursuing treatments in order to “fit in” with others or achieve a certain desired look. 

Stars like Cardi B have amassed huge audiences by sharing details of their lives on social media. Hundreds of millions of Instagram followers have watched her quest to achieve her desired body image, starting with breast augmentation as a teenager and moving onto illegal butt injections. She isn't alone. Hundreds and thousands of other celebrities and influencers offer their growing audiences on social media sites like Instagram, TikTok and YouTube exposure to information about different cosmetic treatments. Many don't just promote their own personal transformations, they also endorse particular cosmetic surgery brands and services.

What impact does this have on people's perception of plastic surgery, and how they perceive their own body image? For many, cosmetic treatments will help to improve how they see themselves. But for others, the desire to have multiple plastic surgeries, and even minimally invasive procedures like dermal fillers, laser treatments and lip injections at such a young age puts them at risk of regret.

​Without proper regulations and oversight, cosmetic surgery becomes more accessible to individuals who may be ill-prepared or unsuitable for such procedures. On top of this, price competition between practitioners has the potential to result in substandard treatment and medical care being offered at lower prices, making the likes of brow lifts, dermal fillers and chin implants more affordable for many.

Although the Department of Social Care has consulted on how it can strengthen licensing for non-invasive cosmetic procedures in recent years, we are still waiting for more stringent and considered regulations regarding who can offer these services.

Potential complications with accessible plastic surgery

​In the United Kingdom, the increasing accessibility of cosmetic surgery has raised significant concerns regarding the standards of safety and efficacy within the industry. The absence of stringent regulations has allowed individuals without appropriate medical training to offer treatments such as Botox and dermal fillers, leading to a rise in botched procedures and adverse health outcomes. ​

While many of these procedures are elective, they can still have serious psychological implications if not performed properly, or if the patient is not adequately prepared for them. If you are considering cosmetic procedures, always consult a board-certified surgeon who is familiar with the latest techniques and standards before making any decisions. 

Access to cosmetic surgery can also lead to a distorted view of natural beauty and body image. While social media has been largely credited with providing people more access to cosmetic treatments, it has also been blamed for promoting unrealistic expectations regarding appearance. As more people begin pursuing these treatments without fully considering their implications or researching all of their options, it increases the risk of unnecessary surgeries and an unhealthy fixation on physical appearance. 

Unfortunately, not every cosmetic surgeon will be capable of providing safe or high-quality treatments. Unscrupulous providers use social media as a way to attract vulnerable patients who are desperate for an instantaneous fix or transformation. Despite warnings from medical professionals, some patients may still be tempted to take this risk just to achieve the same results they see others getting on their social feeds.

Are celebrities to blame? 

Celebrities who endorse and talk about plastic surgery and other cosmetic procedures no doubt have a big influence on the people who follow them. Taking cues from celebrity culture can be fun, but when it comes to making decisions about health care or cosmetic surgery specifically, you should always use caution and make your own informed decisions instead of relying solely on external influences. It is critical to remember that everyone’s body is unique, so what works for someone may not necessarily work for someone else.

However, celebrities and influencers on their own can't take all the blame. Our government, and we as a society, must step up to do more to protect and educate people.

We need government bodies and medical professionals to step up and implement more stringent measures that safeguard individuals opting for such procedures. This includes enforcing comprehensive regulations to make sure that only qualified practitioners can perform cosmetic surgeries. Campaigns like "Think Over Before You Make Over" by the British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons provide clear advice to help individuals make informed decisions about cosmetic surgery.

By coming together to prioritise education, regulation and personal responsibility, we can create a culture where people make decisions about cosmetic surgery with care and consideration.