As many people as there are who follow the proper menus for their well being and image, there are women and men who choose other methods to give themselves an attractive image.

In the past two decades, there has been a turnaround in the number of people who seek and undergo cosmetic surgery. The dominating trend for global cosmetic surgery is run by affordability. Prices aboard for common and special aesthetic surgical procedures - liposuction, breast augmentation, face-lift, tummy-tuck, rhinoplasty and laser hair removal are less expensive compared to the cost of having the same procedures done in the United States and in the United Kingdom. As well, agggressive marketing strategies executed by off shore plastic surgeons and their clinics that persuade more people to fly to other countries for any cosmetic operations more tempting.

(The media has a hand in this “going under the knife” trend too. They often portray celebrities who had opted to have some kind of cosmetic procedure done in a glamorous light so that people want to be viewed in comparison to their favorite celebrity. While other celebrities sport new cosmetic surgeries all the time, the rest of the world often thinks that most of these people are beautiful and happy because of their surgeries.)

Of course, if you can afford the makeover and prefer to go under the knife, like everything else in life, go for it with caution. Because, no matter the initial patient-surgeon consultation, surgeons cannot (despite their expertise in the field) make guarantees. Realistically, there are no guarantees on how you will look after surgery, neither on how skillful the surgeon may be.

A photograph of how a potential candidate may look after surgery cannot take into account the unpredictability of how the skin will react and heal. As in any surgical procedure, there is the possibility that complications may arise once the procedure is complete. During the patient-surgeon consultation, he or she cannot guarantee beforehand your skin’s reception to the surgery, the healing and the pain. That is, will the surgeon satisfy the customer’s expectations? How many hours must be spent in the doctor’s waiting room? How many weeks will it take to recover from the surgical procedure?

There are also psychological issues that patients deal with relating to cosmetic surgery. Yet, despite these physical and psychological risks, people are still searching for ways to change and/or enhance their physical features today. Perhaps because of the enticing advances in technology and promotions, even if it’s at the risk of people’s health and mental state. (The media – newspapers, television, magazines and movies – continues to play a huge role in influencing our society to change their appearance, even if on occasion, the media will report/publish the horrors and consequences of cosmetic surgery.

When ideals of attractiveness and health practices differ, and the importance put on appearance as a motivating factor, women and men will suffer. To be obsessed with “good looks” is a preoccupation that has nothing to do with health and style. Character is far more essential than listening to glamourous stars and reading advertisements that insist on reminding us that the signs of aging are undesirable and can be eliminated with a knife. Cosmetic surgery carries an enormous price tag that is not for everyone.

Natural beauty and healthier looking skin depends on our daily habits, how we treat ourselves and our bodies. Natural beauty experts believe that skin care is “holistic.” If you really want to have healthier skin, looking and feeling better about yourself, it all starts with becoming aware of what you are doing to your skin and what you are putting into your body every day.

Most people practice proper diet and exercise, cultivating positive thoughts about their health so that they can age gracefully. Many women and men believe that smart therapy will provide them with what it takes to help them to look and feel good. They can become slim by exercising. They can become physically attractive by taking care of themselves. The healthier our diet is, the better we will appear. Because whatever we may decide real attractivemeness means to us, may not be attractive in the year 2015. But what will be considered attractive years past are to be young at heart and to age gracefully. Anything is possible if you believe in body and mind that it is possible.

References
www.lookingyourbest.com/articles, www.plasticsurgery.org/public_education, www.columbianplasticsurgery.com, www.metro.co.uk/new/articles (9-22-08 - “How Amazing They Look Natural,”) www.beautycareweb.com (Natural Beauty is still the Best,) www.blogtoplist.com (10-31-08 – Blog about cosmetic surgery)
www.trumpuniversity.com (10-1-08 – Laidoff? Cosmetic Surgery byDonald J. Trump – “There have been all sorts of studies that attractive people tend to earn more money and are promoted more than their less attractive peers. But I’m not sure that’s a good enough reason to get a nose job or liposuction. I guess if it’s something you want to do, then by all means, do it. But I think a new nose job or less wrinkly eyes aren’t going to get you a good job. It’s all about your track record and what you can do. Not how you look. I’d suggest working on your resume not your face.”