Selfies to scalpels: Gen Z leads the way in India's cosmetic surgery boom

Increasing popularity of newer procedures like body contouring, face sculpting and nose job are gaining popularity among young Indians. Image Courtesy: Instagram

Face and body sculpting procedures are on the rise among young adults. According to the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, liposuction was the most popular cosmetic surgical procedure in 2021, with more than 1.9 million procedures and a 24.8 per cent increase, overtaking breast augmentation by a substantial margin.

A growing fascination for plastic surgery has taken over Gen Z and millennials. Amongst all the women who opted for breast implants in 2022, 70 per cent of them fell in the age group of 21 to 30, informs Dr Varun Dixit, the plastic surgeon at P D Hinduja Hospital and Medical Research Center, Khar, Mumbai. Additionally, 50 per cent of the total female chunk opting for rhinoplasty and liposuction also fell in the same age bracket.

It brings us to the question, why are young adults choosing to undergo the knife? City-based cosmetic dermatologist Dr. Rashmi Shetty from Ra Skin & Aesthetics shares, "With sculpted looks hijacking universal beauty standards, young adults are giving in to the temptation of cosmetic surgeries to enhance their appearance."

Why is cosmetic surgery booming among young adults?

We are constantly under the tight lens of self-scrutiny. Medical research reveals that a majority of women are unhappy with the size of their breasts and almost 47 per cent of them wanted larger breasts for a more proportionate body. Alternatively, India ranked fourth in the world with 8,00,000+ rhinoplasty surgeries performed annually. Rhinoplasty addresses issues such as a prominent hump on the nose, a drooping or bulbous tip, a crooked nose, or asymmetry.

City-based textile designer, Sabrina (name changed) informs Mid-day about her experience with breast augmentation. "I was 22 when I signed up for a ‘boobjob'. With an A-cup and a strong pear shape - big butt, heavy thighs, tiny waist, I was tired of feeling undeveloped, like a woman in a child's body. I was tired of not filling out dresses and bathing suits. This gave me a major insecurity and I wanted to feel more proportioned."

"Post the surgery, I have a renewed confidence. I am now a large D cup, and they fit right on my frame, giving me a more balanced figure. It was never to impress anyone else but just to enhance my appearance." It qualifies for mention that breast augmentation remains the most common surgical procedure for women, as per the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.

A striking phenomenon, known as "Lockdown Face" found its place in the glossary of cosmetic surgeries. It refers to how people were forced to see themselves on laptop screens in online video conferences during the lockdown imposed by Covid-19. The more they stared, the more they became aware of fine lines, asymmetrical features, sagging skin, etc. This led to an unprecedented spike of 200 per cent cases seeking facial transformations worldwide. Globally, surgeons began to address this rise as a "Zoom boom."

This need to attain aesthetic facial and bodily appearance is further fuelled by public figures. People in showbiz resort to surgical knives capitulating to the ever-growing pressure on appearance as well as personal beauty choices. With millions of followers, the onslaught of social media moulds Gen Z and millennials' attitudes to reassess their looks and align them with globally accepted beauty standards.

The renowned cosmetic surgeon from the U.K., Julian De Silva used a digital face-mapping technique - Golden Ratio theory to identify the facial symmetry of popular female figures. Post his calculations, Bella Hadid, the iconic American supermodel, emerged at the top with 94.3 per cent facial symmetry. He crowned her for being the most beautiful woman in the world. However, it must be mentioned that the symmetry partially arose from rhinoplasty (nasal bone correction) which Bella underwent at the age of 14, along with Buccal Fat Removal (non-invasive surgery to remove cheek fat).

This rising focus on facial symmetry is also fuelled by aesthetic culture. Gen Z has an affinity for aesthetics, says Mumbai-based image consultant - Saumya Jain. Because this generation struggles a lot with identity, appearance plays a big role in how they perceive themselves. Associating with a certain set of ‘aesthetics' may induce a sense of belonging which can further enhance their confidence. Additionally, opting for cosmetic surgeries helps them correct perceived flaws and boost self-esteem.

Gen Z embraces cosmetic surgery for self-expression and identity

Younger adults also place great importance on self-expression and individuality. For some individuals, plastic surgery can be seen as a form of self-expression or a way to align their physical appearance with their inner identity. It allows them to shape their bodies in a way that they feel represents their authentic selves, adds Jain.

Cosmetic surgery procedures have become more accessible and acceptable throughout the world. In South Korea, it is common for parents to gift their children a blepharoplasty as a graduation gift. Blepharoplasty is a cosmetic surgery meant to remove excess skin from the eyelids. One study found that 80 per cent of job recruiters in South Korea cited that physical appearance was an important factor in screening candidates

Once in a while, Shetty receives mothers who approach her clinic with teens as young as 13 seeking dermal fillers in their lips, chin and cheeks. "However, what these mothers request me to do is advise their teens against it. For a while, I used to put my foot down and just say no. But teens are known to want what they want and if not me, they would seek it elsewhere which has led me to spend more time correcting them." Gen Z and millennials are seeking higher cheekbones, hollow mid-cheeks and a longer chin, adds Shetty.

The taboo around cosmetic surgery

Cosmetic surgery can be a topic that is surrounded by various societal taboos and stigmas. Indian society has often associated surgical beauty enhancements with vanity and unrealistic beauty standards. More stigmas include issues of self-acceptance and concerns about safety and ethics. But the question arises, how legitimate is the taboo around plastic surgery?

Dr Yash Mehta, a facial plastic surgeon who practices at Bandra opines that self-investment and better awareness among Gen Z and millennials is turning cosmetic surgery more acceptable in Indian society. Social taboos are evolving as beauty transparency carves its niche in the wellness industry. Also, rising financial independence among young adults is enabling them to challenge traditional beauty norms and redefine their own standards of attractiveness.

Now rising is a generation that is renewed, fabulous and unapologetic about going under the knife. Dr Nilesh G Satbhai, the plastic surgeon from Global Hospital, Mumbai, echoes that this generation is hyper-aware of their deep-seated traumas, self-image issues and is willing to work on their shortcomings. "With surgical expertise and medical safety increasing, the millennials and Gen Z wants to make the most of this opportunity and get their demands met."

Tackling the taboo around cosmetic surgery is now easier than before. It is no longer a shameful secret or a ‘hush-hush' affair that was once associated with celebrities only. A better understanding of the procedures and more predictable outcomes have enabled common people to seek beauty implants. And, if it gives one the agency to develop body confidence and enables self-expression, who is society to veto this personal choice?

Cosmetic surgery is here to stay; here's why

Cosmetologist and surgeon Dr Debraj Shome says that cosmetic surgeries will become affordable in the future and more people will be able to attain it in a cost-effective manner. Advancements in technology and surgical techniques is enhancing the demand of cosmetic surgeries. A wider range of non-invasive procedures like fillers, botox and even plastic surgeries are already affordable, less invasive and more socially accepted.

Increasing popularity of newer procedures like body contouring after massive weight loss, female genital cosmetic surgery and face sculpting have sparked a surge in the number of people seeking those transformations, informs Dixit. This democratization of cosmetic surgeries will contribute to Gen Z's increased interest in and willingness to undergo plastic surgery.

In India, the cost of a nose job can range between Rs 70,000 to Rs 1,50,000. The price of breast augmentation ranges between INR 75,000 to INR 2,50,000. The average cost of liposuction in India ranges between INR 50,000 to INR 2,00,000. What needs to be noted is that the average cost of any cosmetic surgical treatment or procedure in India is 10-12 times lesser than in the West. This gives rise to medical tourism in India.

India: A hotspot for cosmetic surgery

According to the National Institute of Health, the medical tourism industry was expected to grow at an astronomical 200 per cent touching a corpus of Rs 900 crore by 2020. Hair transplant is estimated to be a 700 crore rupees business in India already. India is becoming the desired destination for cosmetic surgery, informs Dixit.

The standard of medical treatment in India is increasing rapidly. Indian doctors are delivering competent results at a much more affordable cost and more predictable outcomes. Organisations like the Association of Plastic Surgeons of India are fostering and co-ordinating training in plastic surgery, advising both undergraduate and post-graduate teaching programs for plastic surgery in India.

The cosmetic surgery market is booming in India, says Shome. "In India, we have skilled expertise, quality, ethical clinical practices, reliable morphing technology and better infrastructure to help one achieve the desired look." With support from strong and stable national policies, cosmetic treatments in India will further become more affordable.

What are the medical advancements needed for smoother cosmetic surgeries?

Advances in instrumentation, safer medications and the influence of AI will have a great impact on the way we practice, shares Satbhai. It is important for the treating surgeons to upgrade and educate themselves and also affiliate with the authorised medical bodies in order to practice ethical medicine.

Dixit mentions that the availability of medicines that would facilitate and accelerate healing would be a game-changer. However, he admits that it is too futuristic. Another important advancement in this field would be better scar management, especially measures to control increased pigmentation in scars. He also opines that professional training for cosmetic surgery should start right in the medical college at graduation level.

While Mehta believes that more research in stem cells, advances in AI are required to pave the way for smoother cosmetic surgeries; additionally, constant refinement in terms of instruments used and holistic approaches in the recovery process like following anti-inflammatory and antioxidant diets, hyperbaric oxygen chambers, etc. will also help in improvising the practice.

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