Extended Qualification Project – 5000 Word Essay
Question - Evaluate the media's impact on modern
cosmetic procedures?
The media can be defined as a platform that has the power to influence an
individual’s beliefs, attitudes and behaviour, (Arias, 2019)
Contents
Introduction ............................................................................................................. 1-2
The media’s role in glamourizing modern cosmetic
procedures………………………………………….…2-3
Discovering the reality of lip
fillers………………………………………………………………………………………….3-6
Comprehending the Risks and Media Influences surrounding Sunbed
Use………………………….….6-8
The Profound Influence of Cosmetic Dental
Trends……………………………………………………………...8-10
Conclusion……………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…….….…..10-11
Bibliography……………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……….….13-19
,Introduction
The term Cosmetic Surgery can be defined as any invasive procedure which has the intention to
achieve what the patient perceives to be a more desirable appearance, (Nicola Dean, 2018).
Cosmetic surgery is an individual’s choice to undergo an operation or invasive medical
procedure to enhance their physical appearance for a cosmetic rather than a medical reason.
(Royal College of surgeons of England, 2016). The media can be defined as a platform that has
the power to influence an individual’s beliefs, attitudes and behaviour, (Arias, 2019). Cosmetic
procedures have been influenced highly by many media platforms. One example is the rising
popularity of Hollywood. This is due to Hollywood representing ideological beauty standards
both off and on screen. The influence of celebrities resorting to cosmetic procedures is a key
factor for the vast number of individuals replicating in their footsteps, (Wilson, 2023). This
exemplifies the pressure the media enforces on the population to adhere to an ideological
appearance which can be deemed as quintessential by society. Beauty and skincare have
become one of the top 5 most viewed TikTok categories with a total of 21.8 billion views.
Medical professionals have been seen to utilize TikTok as a marketing and educational tool, to
promote cosmetic products, (Om, et al, 2021). This alludes to the notion that TikTok is evolving
into an app which is influencing individuals to engross themselves in certain activities, such as
undergoing cosmetic surgery. It is also apparent that reality TV shows, such as Love Island, have
motivated the prevalence of cosmetic procedures. According to the Aesthetic Skin Clinic, Love
Island has obtained immense media attention due to its depiction of an attractive young cast of
adults for the show. Critics have argued that this sets irrational beauty standards for the
younger generation, (Aesthetic Skin Clinic, 2023). Also, before contestants returned to the new
Love Island All-Stars series, it has been noted that the contestants have splurged a large
amount of money; so that they can rejuvenate their appearance before making a second
appearance on the reality TV show. (Soen, 2024). This creates popularity in cosmetic
procedures, as well as depicting the media’s pressure for these Islanders to feel the need to
adapt their appearance before going back onto public television, which reflects society’s
judgmental attributes and stereotypical desired appearances. Another focus that will be
, evaluated within this essay will include the impact which Disney Princesses have had on young
children. According to a study published in Child Development by Professor Sarah M. Coyne,
parents benefit from relying on Disney movies, but researchers have begun to examine the true
effects that Disney princesses are having on children; one of them being body- image,
(Yakubovsky et al, 2021). YouTube can also be a major tool for drive-in cosmetic
procedures. According to the Aesthetic Journal, it is evident that YouTube is being utilized
immensely as an educational tool for patients to learn and get a better insight about their
cosmetic treatment, (Ward,et al, 2019). Along with these media aspects within my essay, I
will predominantly use examples of lip fillers, sunbeds and teeth cosmetics.
The media’s role in glamourizing modern cosmetic procedures
Many media platforms depict unrealistic advertisements for clothing, beauty products,
social media influencers, celebrity culture, film and the television industry. These platform
advertisements can be regarded as a form of disseminating images of “perfection,” which
inescapably cause many individuals to feel uncomfortable about their appearances not
being sufficient for the standards set by society. With the UK’s portrayal of ‘perfect’ images
released by the media, there is a profound impact on the perception of what can be
deemed as ‘normal’ and desirable, which ultimately creates unrealistic beauty ideals,
(King, 2021). This can expose that the media plays a huge part in individuals enhancing
their natural appearance due to the pressure from societal norms and values. Cosmetic
surgery can be seen as increasingly available to individuals of many age groups, including
teenagers. According to the journalist Alissa Quart (2003), “Teenagers now alter their
bodies extremely proudly.” She further reports that the number of cosmetic surgeries on
teens aged 18 and under rose nearly to 22%. A reason for this is due to the dolls that
children grow up around; for example, many dolls such as Barbie have led to the desire to
emulate her appearance. Cindy Jackson, an American talk show celebrity, had more than
20 surgical procedures to resemble Barbie, (Blair et al, 2005). This culminates that the
media portrayal of childhood figures (in this case Barbie) can have a dismissive effect on
society, as many will be constantly exposed to the perfection of these characters and will
perhaps want to emulate them by undertaking cosmetic procedures. Another example of
childhood upbringing leading to an increase in cosmetic surgery can be depicted in Disney
Princess movies. For many, this early depiction of Disney Princesses can be viewed as a
leading factor in lower body self-esteem. Usually, cosmetic surgery has been typically
associated with middle-aged patients, however, there has been a shift towards the
younger demographic. An example of this can be noticed in the movie Cinderella. The
narrative consists of Cinderella receiving a magical transformation from her fairy
Question - Evaluate the media's impact on modern
cosmetic procedures?
The media can be defined as a platform that has the power to influence an
individual’s beliefs, attitudes and behaviour, (Arias, 2019)
Contents
Introduction ............................................................................................................. 1-2
The media’s role in glamourizing modern cosmetic
procedures………………………………………….…2-3
Discovering the reality of lip
fillers………………………………………………………………………………………….3-6
Comprehending the Risks and Media Influences surrounding Sunbed
Use………………………….….6-8
The Profound Influence of Cosmetic Dental
Trends……………………………………………………………...8-10
Conclusion……………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…….….…..10-11
Bibliography……………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……….….13-19
,Introduction
The term Cosmetic Surgery can be defined as any invasive procedure which has the intention to
achieve what the patient perceives to be a more desirable appearance, (Nicola Dean, 2018).
Cosmetic surgery is an individual’s choice to undergo an operation or invasive medical
procedure to enhance their physical appearance for a cosmetic rather than a medical reason.
(Royal College of surgeons of England, 2016). The media can be defined as a platform that has
the power to influence an individual’s beliefs, attitudes and behaviour, (Arias, 2019). Cosmetic
procedures have been influenced highly by many media platforms. One example is the rising
popularity of Hollywood. This is due to Hollywood representing ideological beauty standards
both off and on screen. The influence of celebrities resorting to cosmetic procedures is a key
factor for the vast number of individuals replicating in their footsteps, (Wilson, 2023). This
exemplifies the pressure the media enforces on the population to adhere to an ideological
appearance which can be deemed as quintessential by society. Beauty and skincare have
become one of the top 5 most viewed TikTok categories with a total of 21.8 billion views.
Medical professionals have been seen to utilize TikTok as a marketing and educational tool, to
promote cosmetic products, (Om, et al, 2021). This alludes to the notion that TikTok is evolving
into an app which is influencing individuals to engross themselves in certain activities, such as
undergoing cosmetic surgery. It is also apparent that reality TV shows, such as Love Island, have
motivated the prevalence of cosmetic procedures. According to the Aesthetic Skin Clinic, Love
Island has obtained immense media attention due to its depiction of an attractive young cast of
adults for the show. Critics have argued that this sets irrational beauty standards for the
younger generation, (Aesthetic Skin Clinic, 2023). Also, before contestants returned to the new
Love Island All-Stars series, it has been noted that the contestants have splurged a large
amount of money; so that they can rejuvenate their appearance before making a second
appearance on the reality TV show. (Soen, 2024). This creates popularity in cosmetic
procedures, as well as depicting the media’s pressure for these Islanders to feel the need to
adapt their appearance before going back onto public television, which reflects society’s
judgmental attributes and stereotypical desired appearances. Another focus that will be
, evaluated within this essay will include the impact which Disney Princesses have had on young
children. According to a study published in Child Development by Professor Sarah M. Coyne,
parents benefit from relying on Disney movies, but researchers have begun to examine the true
effects that Disney princesses are having on children; one of them being body- image,
(Yakubovsky et al, 2021). YouTube can also be a major tool for drive-in cosmetic
procedures. According to the Aesthetic Journal, it is evident that YouTube is being utilized
immensely as an educational tool for patients to learn and get a better insight about their
cosmetic treatment, (Ward,et al, 2019). Along with these media aspects within my essay, I
will predominantly use examples of lip fillers, sunbeds and teeth cosmetics.
The media’s role in glamourizing modern cosmetic procedures
Many media platforms depict unrealistic advertisements for clothing, beauty products,
social media influencers, celebrity culture, film and the television industry. These platform
advertisements can be regarded as a form of disseminating images of “perfection,” which
inescapably cause many individuals to feel uncomfortable about their appearances not
being sufficient for the standards set by society. With the UK’s portrayal of ‘perfect’ images
released by the media, there is a profound impact on the perception of what can be
deemed as ‘normal’ and desirable, which ultimately creates unrealistic beauty ideals,
(King, 2021). This can expose that the media plays a huge part in individuals enhancing
their natural appearance due to the pressure from societal norms and values. Cosmetic
surgery can be seen as increasingly available to individuals of many age groups, including
teenagers. According to the journalist Alissa Quart (2003), “Teenagers now alter their
bodies extremely proudly.” She further reports that the number of cosmetic surgeries on
teens aged 18 and under rose nearly to 22%. A reason for this is due to the dolls that
children grow up around; for example, many dolls such as Barbie have led to the desire to
emulate her appearance. Cindy Jackson, an American talk show celebrity, had more than
20 surgical procedures to resemble Barbie, (Blair et al, 2005). This culminates that the
media portrayal of childhood figures (in this case Barbie) can have a dismissive effect on
society, as many will be constantly exposed to the perfection of these characters and will
perhaps want to emulate them by undertaking cosmetic procedures. Another example of
childhood upbringing leading to an increase in cosmetic surgery can be depicted in Disney
Princess movies. For many, this early depiction of Disney Princesses can be viewed as a
leading factor in lower body self-esteem. Usually, cosmetic surgery has been typically
associated with middle-aged patients, however, there has been a shift towards the
younger demographic. An example of this can be noticed in the movie Cinderella. The
narrative consists of Cinderella receiving a magical transformation from her fairy
