Looks matter, but at what cost, ask doctors

Chennai: Low self-esteem issues for Santhosh. K (name changed) sprung with hair loss. Seeking counselling and after being robbed by numerous advertisements of products assuring hair growth in a fortnight’s time, he chose hair transplantation. Initial appointments of Vaishnavi.

A with her cosmetologist involved bouts of crying. What started as her friends’ remarks in jest had now become a reason for indifference from her husband. Tired of his behavior and wanting his attention, she decided to go in for breast augmentation.

India stands fourth globally in the number of procedures (surgical and non-surgical) carried out last year with a total of 9,35,487 procedures done, according to the 2015 survey of International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS) on Aesthetic/Cosmetic Procedures. Cosmetologists and counselors say a majority of these cases are not due to personal interests but because of pressure from family or friends.

“There has been a steep increase in the number of people coming to me for hair transplant, breast augmentation, laser hair removal, skin tightening and lightening. Most women who opt for breast augmentation are sad as husbands don’t give them attention after marriage and those who come before marriage are those who don’t want issues in their married life,” said Dr Ratnavel G.R., a cosmetologist at Stanley Medical Hospital.

According to the ISAPS report of compiled data from 1,398 plastic surgeons from countries that provided data for a sufficient survey response, USA had the largest number (14,14,335) of surgical and non-surgical procedures carried out globally last year. Following it are Brazil, South Korea and India.

Dr Ratnavel tells his patients to opt for cosmetic procedures only if they feel the need for those, and not due to pressure from others. “Since most of the procedures have become non-invasive, patients require a sitting every year or every six months.”

Since the time he joined this profession 17 years ago, there has been a three times increase in the number of people opting for such procedures. “Even if people lack the money for it, they don’t mind going to any extent for it,” he said.