The rise of cosmetic procedures: The role of body esteem, social comparison, gender and social media use

Abstract

Cosmetic procedures are growing rapidly in popularity each year. The aim of the current study was to investigate whether body-esteem, social comparison, gender and social media addiction were predictors of wanting a cosmetic procedure. One hundred and fifty-six participants filled out a questionnaire. The study was of a quantitative correlational design. Statistically reliable scales were used. Participants were asked how likely they would be to undergo a cosmetic procedure. Results indicate that low body-esteem, negative social comparison and high social media addiction predicted higher levels of a desire for a cosmetic procedure. Additionally, females were more likely to want a cosmetic procedure than males, on average, and females with low body-esteem were more likely to have negative social comparison. This study suggests that there may be underlying influences as to why people undergo cosmetic procedures, theoretical implications are discussed within.