Contemporary cosmetic surgery: the potential risks and relevance for practice

Area of Science:

• Medical ethics
• Plastic surgery
• Public health

Background:

• Cosmetic surgery is a rapidly growing global industry.
• Feminist critiques highlight issues of identity, normality, and societal pressures.
• Inadequate risk information for patients leads to severe health complications and increased costs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To critically review the risks associated with cosmetic surgery.
• To explore the implications of these risks for clinical practice.

Main Methods:

• A critical review of literature published between 1982 and 2009.
• Searches were conducted using CINAHL, Medline, and BNI databases.
• Included empirical studies, opinion papers, policy documents, textbooks, and websites.

Main Results:

• Consumer risks are influenced by regulatory issues, medicalization, ageism, ethnic prejudice, and media influence.
• While the UK has improved clinical standards, global awareness of socio-cultural pressures on consumers remains low.
• Inadequate provision of risk information contributes to severe complications.

Conclusions:

• Enhancing risk information for patients is essential to prevent adverse outcomes.
• Health professionals must prioritize patient rights, autonomy, and rigorous screening.
• Developing knowledge of relational autonomy and alternative interventions is recommended.