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Minimally Invasive Injectable Cosmetic Procedures Increase Feelings of Authenticity
Michael J Martinez1, Michael W White2, Erica R Bailey3
1The Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York.
Background:
Minimally invasive cosmetic dermatology procedures continue to be increasingly popular; however, the extant literature has poorly documented the psychological antecedents of interest in cosmetic procedures and their psychological consequences.
Objective:
To better inform dermatologists on their patients' motivations for cosmetic enhancement.
Materials And Methods:
In a general population survey, an online representative sample of 984 Americans reported the extent to which they feel authentic using the validated authenticity scale and whether they were interested in undergoing a cosmetic procedure. In a prospective dermatology office survey, 102 participants reported their feelings of authenticity immediately before and 2 weeks after receiving a minimally invasive injectable cosmetic procedure.
Results:
In the general population survey, participants interested in cosmetic procedures felt significantly less authentic than participants who were not interested ( p = .003). In the prospective dermatology office survey, participants felt significantly more authentic 2 weeks after their minimally invasive injectable cosmetic procedure than before ( p = .018).
Conclusion:
Lower feelings of authenticity are associated with interest in cosmetic procedures. Participants felt more authentic 2 weeks after receiving a minimally invasive injectable cosmetic procedure. Cosmetic procedures may present patients with an opportunity to feel more like their real, genuine selves.
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