The cost for cosmetic surgeries start from Rs. 800 per session going up to a maximum of Rs. 40,000 to Rs. 50,000. But cost is not an issue as people are ready to spend to get the desired look. Both boys and girls opt for pre-wedding cosmetic makeovers.

Beauty is a preconceived notion created by our society, built up by our film industry or perhaps it is vice versa. Slim, fair and an hourglass figure is what we consider to be beautiful. The irony is that most actresses have to work really hard to maintain their looks and body, and stay in shape because it is not always about acting skills.

Nowadays girls also want to get into this bracket of beauty and are opting for cosmetic surgery. Earlier this type of surgery was done only by people from the film industry or those from the elite class and by those who have met with accidents due to which they have disfiguring injuries or marks on their faces. But now cosmetic surgery is becoming more common — people don’t mind going under the knife to get their desired look.

According to a study done by the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS) in 2015, India has acquired fourth position in the total number of procedures done among the nine countries well-known for cosmetic surgery. The most popular surgical procedures are liposuction, rhinoplasty, abdominoplasty and eyelid surgery. Some of the popular non-surgical procedures are hair removal, botulinum toxin, chemical peel, hyaluronic acid and non-surgical fat reduction.

In Coimbatore, the trend of cosmetic surgery is definitely catching up with the younger generation. From the age 21 and above people are getting such surgeries done to enhance their looks. Skin lightening treatment is the most common non-surgical procedure which both boys and girls are getting done perhaps because of the belief ‘Fair is beautiful’. Boys commonly opt for hair transplant treatment. Most girls seem to be insecure about their complexion. The surgical procedures seem to be still making their way into society as very few people get breast augmentation, breast lift, facial implant among others.

Earlier girls used to get beauty treatments after they get engaged, to prepare for the wedding day. But now both girls and boys go in for such treatments before marriage proposals start trickling in. Most of the treatments take about 3-6 months, comprising one sitting every 15 days.

The cost for such surgeries starts from Rs. 800 per session going up to a maximum of Rs. 40,000 to Rs. 50,000. Cost is not an issue as people are ready to spend to get the desired look.

Dr M.Kumaresan, Assistant Professor of Dermatology, PSG Hospitals, says, “The current scenario is that people don’t mind spending a huge amount to enhance their looks. Some of the cases are genuine enough but some are based on how the patients feel about themselves. In some cases, the parents are not willing to spend so much on such treatments as they think their child looks perfect.

Later they do surrender to their child’s wishes. Overall such treatments might not have a drastic change but they do infuse confidence in them which in turn changes their overall attitude and personality.”

He adds, “We do come across some cases in which the person is not happy within and wants to get such treatments done just for the sake of it, or someone who doesn’t know what result they will reap from such changes. For such patients, we recommend counselling. But even then if they think that a treatment will bring a change in them and their outlook towards life, we go for it.”