While one can argue whether it is right or wrong on moral grounds, our society does tend to value and favor good-looking people, according to an article from CBS News. At the same time, we may discriminate, on a subconscious level at least, against people who have unfavorable appearances. For this reason, many people choose plastic surgery as a way of advancing their career prospects.
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Working women choosing plastic surgery
A recent ABC News report, reveals that many middle-aged women are choosing plastic surgery in order to remain competitive in a workforce that values youthful looks. For example, 47-year-old actress and real estate agent Suzanne Armstrong decided to have various procedures that would help reverse signs of aging. "I like to look natural," she said. "It's OK if I age. It's OK if I have wrinkles. I just would like to look healthy."
Armstrong is certainly not alone in her desire to reverse or slow the aging process. The popularity of BOTOX and laser treatments continues to climb in the population in general. These procedures can reduce wrinkles and sagging.
Other women along with professional men decide on radical plastic surgery that can change one's appearance including fattening up lips and changing the shape of one's nose or chin. Movie stars have used plastic surgery for decades to improve their appearance and now we can see that this practice is spreading among professionals in middle-class America.
Tattoo removal
ABC 10 News in San Francisco reported that a program sponsored by the San Pablo Economic Development Corp. in Northern California provides low-cost tattoo removal to help younger people become more job-ready. A recent Harris Poll revealed that tattoos can create a barrier to gaining employment according to surveyed job experts.
Some employers even ban visible tattoos as part of their dress codes. However, it is more likely that employers will reject applicants at the hiring stage if they notice any tattoos. Generally, depending on the size and complexity, it can take between six to 10 sessions to remove a tattoo.
The process involves using an expensive laser machine to zap the ink used by tattoo artists.
Common Aesthetic Procedures for Career Advancement
Here are some of the plastic surgery and other options that career people are choosing to stay competitive in the work marketplace.
- Eyelid surgery ? Also called blepharoplasty, this procedure removes the sagging skin on the upper or lower eyelid.
- Breast enhancement ? Surgery to increase, reduce, lift or reshape the breasts.
- Liposuction ? Removes accumulated fat and cellulite from areas like the abdomen, thighs, neck and love handles.
- Face lift ? A procedure to reduce wrinkles by removing excess skin from the face.
- Nose job? Also called rhinoplasty, this procedure reshapes the nose.
- Chin surgery ? A surgical procedure that inserts an implant to reshape the chin, usually to add more definition.
- Chemical peel ? A procedure that helps remove scars, wrinkles, pock marks and acne.
- Filler injections ? A non-invasive procedure that involves injecting fillers like collagen and hyaluronic acid to reduce wrinkles or to provide augmentation. Botox injections use a neurotoxic protein known as botulinum toxin to remove wrinkles. Lip enhancement generally involves the use of filler injections.
- Skin tightening laser treatment ? This procedure involves using a laser to remove wrinkles and to encourage new collagen growth.
- Hair removal ? Laser and other treatments to remove excess hair from the face or body.
- Hair Replacement ? For middle aged men, hair loss can be a huge blow to self esteem... there are new technologies available for hair transplant and replacement.
Plastic surgery improves self-confidence
In the corporate world, almost any little thing can create barriers in your quest for success. Many workers are choosing plastic surgery not only to compete with younger people but also because they see others in their office with cosmetic enhancements.
Image is so much a part of climbing the corporate ladder that one can easily be left behind by not investing in one's looks . Indeed, according to a report from the American Academy of Facial and Plastic Reconstructive Surgery, about two-thirds of its members reported patients that asked for plastic surgery to stay competitive in their careers.
Some procedures can be rather expensive with hair transplant surgery costing as much as $35,000 in some cases. However, many other options are affordable for average working people. Simple teeth whitening, for example, is an affordable way of improving one's appearance per a US News report. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, many men choose eyelid surgery or eye lifts to give them a fresher more youthful appearance.
In many instances, professionals are looking at plastic surgery as no different than investing in professional working attire or in a car that projects proper status. Many people in corporate America also pay large sums of money for coaching in social skills and proper etiquette. In the end, they are looking for a type of "return on investment" that will more than pay for cost of the investment.
Most jobs will never require an employee to have any kind of procedure performed, however, there may be times when it just may be the necessary edge to stay abreast of the competition.
By: Keith Veseleny
