The Plastic Surgery Myth

The Dove soap company conducted a survey last year that yielded some surprising results. You can read the full article here: http://www.dove.com/real_beauty/news.asp?id=454 The article begins: New research, released today by the Dove beauty brand, reveals that women are frustrated with the gap that exists between their definition of beauty and society's. The Dove Report: Challenging Beauty finds the majority of women (90%) in the United States are somewhat to very satisfied with their looks. In fact, nearly half of the women surveyed (44%) are more comfortable with their looks today than they were ten years ago. Women are comfortable with their appearance and do not feel compelled to change their looks. These findings provide a thought-provoking contrast to America's seeming obsession with makeovers and cosmetic procedures. We who have facial deformities understand that there is a difference between cosmetic surgery and reconstructive surgery. In our case, reconstruction is necessary, whereas cosmetic is superfluous. But, psychologically, this survey has profound effects on our perceptions. Many times, we feel ugly and inferior simply because we don't look the way we are told we are supposed to look, but according to this survey, that standard is a myth. This news should encourage us and free us from debilitating self-pity and shame.