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The pursuit of eternal youth is not new to the world. However, is it worth letting go of each person's individuality?

In the U.S., 38.6 percent of people who undergo cosmetic surgery are aged between 38 and 50. Due to the suspected influence of Hollywood, it is no surprise that as people approach middle age, they want to make themselves feel more young.

Body image and mental health

We each indeed have the empowering freedom to make our choices and do what we want with our bodies -- get a facelift, a simple lip filler, or any kind of cosmetic reconstruction. However, studies found that celebrities and influencers on social media have now normalized plastic surgery to a level that impacts the mental health of their followers. Because many social media users tend to compare themselves with the people they follow, they end up wanting to follow an "ideal" beauty standard.

In one study, poor body image was linked to increased symptoms of depression, anxiety and eating disorders. This was also found to be coupled with feelings of shame. Social media has led people to compare their bodies with what they see online as the ideal figure. Consultant psychologist and The Chelsea Psychology Clinic co-founder Elena Touroni explains that body types are mostly dependent on genetics, so people need to change their mindset when it comes to their ideal figures.

The body positivity movement

While social media has been repeatedly criticized for its negative effects on mental health, it also has a good side. The online body positivity movement, for example, has been instrumental in pushing people to accept themselves and do what they think is best for their bodies. The movement prioritizes having a healthy lifestyle instead of setting goals to copy influencer body figures.