Plastic Surgery Trends

Our Addiction to Plastic Surgery is about More Than Looking Good

By
Relationship Advice Expert April Masini

A good friend of mine, who is Asian, recently had surgery that changed her eyelids. It was a personal decision and not one I feel comfortable about, but I'm frankly a little shaken up by the entire thing. What would cause a woman to change a part of themselves that is such a large part of her identity? I feel like plastic surgery has gotten a little out of control recently.

Is there any explanation for this phenomenon, or is it just a product of advancements in cosmetic surgery that make it as easy to change your appearance with lasers as it has been traditionally with makeup? What's the deal?

Signed,

Au Naturale

Dear Au Naturale,

Plastic surgery has gone on for years, but you're right in noticing that the incidences of surgery have increased in recent years. The trend of Westernizing what are traditional considered to be ethnic features, such as your friend's eyes, is on the rise.

The Latest Plastic Surgery Trends

Asians seeking to minimize their ethnic look and mainstream their features are not new. Many people with ethnic noses have been having rhinoplasty, and women with smaller buttocks have been having implants in their butt to get a J.Lo look. People who have normally small breasts want to look big busted and have implants, while others who want to look more svelte have breast reduction.

What's the Reasoning Behind It?

As a relationship expert, I can tell you that there are a lot of relationship dynamics that are troubling people and changing the American family and the face of our nation’s home life. These problems don’t start between two people. They start within a single person.

When someone is at peace with who they are — inside, outside and understands their own limits and assets, only they are they able to be in a relationship with another person with little risk of dysfunction. But most people who write me are troubled within, and that inner turmoil affects their relationships.

Of course, people change; circumstances change; health changes; and we are not robots, so even inner peace can be fleeting, and inner and outer health is a process, not a finished product when it comes to humans.

Until that time, people will try to change their relationships, themselves, and their bodies. Asians wanting eyelid surgery are no different from African Americans who want their hair dyed blonde or people with ethnic noses who want button noses.

And … it’s not going to stop any time soon.

Newsflash!

There are, for the first time in U.S. history, more singles than marrieds when adults are counted! The marriage industry is booming — not quite as quickly as is the divorce industry. Which means….dating is here to stay, and romance is on the rise for 2007. But with technology making your picture available more often in more places — through phone, e-mail, You Tube, i-Chat and other vehicles — appearance and physical presentation is going to be where the emphasis for 2007 is. No surprise for fans of plastic surgery shows, but be prepared for all kinds of changes to face and body in 2007. Look your best in 2007 — you’re going to be seen in more places than ever!

And what you consider looking your best is in the eyes you see looking back at you in the mirror!

For a much more cost-effective and less painful solution than plastic surgery, check out Think and Date Like a Man. It will boost your confidence in both dating and life and give you practical tips for fulfillment.

April Masini -- nicknamed "the new millennium's Dear Abby" by the media, is author of the best-selling books Date Out Of Your League and Think & Date Like A Man, the two (just released) step-by-step dating and relationship manuals, Ideas for a Fun Date and Romantic Date Ideas, and the critically acclaimed dating and relationship online magazine www.AskApril.com.

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