Beautiful scars

Author: (USA) Virginia L. Bram
Translator: Hu Yanping, et al. / Country: United States
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-01-01
Features: When did cosmetic surgery become a mainstream industry and a topic of everyday conversation? Virginia L. Bram describes the anthropological state of cosmetic surgery, provides a sharp analysis of beauty and feminism, and thoroughly examines the social conditions and norms that form the culture of plastic surgery, which is thought-provoking. The book explores the ideas and practices that shape this culture. Bram investigates the rise of cosmetic surgery and its tendency to become a (celebrity) industry, thereby exploring the growing pressure on people to emulate the flat (two-dimensional) idols of the majority. When did cosmetic surgery become a mainstream industry and a topic of everyday conversation? Virginia L. Bram describes the anthropological state of cosmetic surgery, provides a sharp analysis of beauty and feminism, and thoroughly examines the social conditions and norms that form the culture of plastic surgery, which is thought-provoking. From multiple perspectives, ranging from cosmetic surgery patients to feminist critics, she explores how the physical malleability of the body has been transformed into a decisive factor in contemporary identity. Bram argues that cosmetic surgery has become a persistent social industry with strong allure and control, and this phenomenon certainly has multifaceted reasons. Some come from practical purposes: the interests of plastic surgeons, the increasing need for staff to maintain a youthful appearance, and philosophical beliefs such as the idea that spending money can buy a brand-new body and that appearance can change one's life. The Beautiful Scars explores the ideas and practices that shape this culture. Bram investigates the rise of cosmetic surgery and its tendency to become a (celebrity) industry, thereby exploring the growing pressure on people to emulate the flat (two-dimensional) idols of the majority. The book delves into personal experiences and observations, conversations with patients and surgeons, literary works, and cultural shifts, revealing how plastic surgery has become a condition of identity in contemporary culture. If your perspective aligns with his or you conform to his views, that moment can become a critical turning point for undergoing cosmetic surgery. He presents himself as an aesthetic expert, capable of uncovering the deep secrets of the face—the latent beauty. The scenario he describes is what your transformed appearance will become; it is difficult to resist his professional expertise. If your parents are particularly critical, you are especially at risk, as your emotions will be more thoroughly transferred, and your needs may become a form of pleading. Several years later, when a second surgeon performed nose surgery on me, he casually mentioned (implanting a piece of cartilage to support the weak chin). For 27 years, I had never realized that my chin was too small. However, in the years following that surgeon's impromptu observation, I considered getting a chin injection. The influence of plastic surgeons on a person's image has been extreme in my case. Nevertheless, I want to say that any person who undergoes cosmetic surgery relies, to some extent, on the surgeon's opinion. I didn't just compare my nose to that of the model celebrity; in my mind, my entire face seemed to be out of place. Showing me her photo was a clever trick. It created a chain of what I call migratory desires. My nose represents my entire face—the face I might have after cosmetic surgery (the perfect face). I wanted not only her post-surgery nose but also her pre-surgery face. The cosmetic surgery on her nose had nothing to do with the fantasy of having a supermodel's face. However, seeing her pre- and post-surgery photos misled patients, as our attention naturally focused on her entire image rather than the specific changes. Many plastic surgeons discourage showing before-and-after photos because they can raise patients' expectations before surgery and infringe on the privacy of patients who have already undergone procedures. No cosmetic surgery is the same. Human tissues, bone structures, and healing mechanisms vary. Those greedy plastic surgeons show patients photos, adding to their burden, as these photos are tempting. This model's photo made it almost impossible for me to separate her nose from her entire face. Her face seemed to predict my future worth: perfect, one in a million. The original nose of that model had a round head, which was later replaced with a refined pointed tip. There were some irregularities on it, and that was exactly what I envied—the very feature that highlighted the nose's elegance. However, I soon noticed that those folds were just a bizarre imitation of a "breadbag" nose. Natural noses don't have such cracks. He proudly showed us a magazine that detailed the model's various features. The description of her nose was that the (sculpting were too heavy), and the surgeon's ambition was too strong. Later, I learned that the model's nose surgery was considered a disaster in the field of plastic surgery and was infamous. I was only 18 years old at the time and easily fooled by a smooth-talking, heartless guy. These people target those young women who are on the cusp of university and are constantly wondering, "What image will we have in people's eyes?" This is a constant torment. "Can we find a partner?" "Which level do we belong to?" Top-tier. He made a promise. Just like that model. Look at her. That is you in the future. It was so convincing, like a magic trick with playing cards. P8-9