strongest argument 2

My second strongest argument is that television and the media have exploited cosmetic surgery. The resulting social pressure is also putting forth a bad influence. Such TV shows like MTV’s I Want a Famous Face (in which boys are reconstructed to look like handsome male celebrities so that they can get girls’ approvals) and Fox’s The Swan can be to blame. Many fear that these shows may be making people unrealistic both about what surgery can accomplish and also about the very real dangers of going under the knife. Many viewers are greatly misinformed, and do not have straight perceptions about the reality of cosmetic surgery. It is not nearly as glamorous as it is portrayed on television. The impact of Hollywood on society is great. Cosmetic surgery has become commonplace. In a world of tucking, lifting, and implanting, too many people feel the need to make themselves into human Barbie dolls. Especially in Hollywood and the posh Beverly Hills, there is a certain pressure to comply to undergoing cosmetic procedures- be it Botox or breast augmentations. 20 years ago, now plastic surgery addict Steve Erhardt took on a job with a celebrity stylist. He recalls seeing the cosmetic work “up close in [his] chair. Everyone was so beautiful. [He] wanted to be beautiful too." Since acquiring this job, he has endured 30 surgeries, and admits to going in to get more work done particularly when he is feeling down. Many people who are influenced by TV shows such as Extreme Makeover are not aware of the realities of plastic surgery, and may go into plastic surgery without a clear understanding of what it’s really about. Board-certified New York plastic surgeon Dr. Robert Bernard says, "People don't realize that those on the show are pre-selected, and in excellent health. They are analyzed by the best plastic surgeons in the country to ensure their transformation can look like a home run." Dr. Bernard also mentions how they work with dermatologists, cosmetic dentists, and hair stylists in addition to surgical procedures. Overall, the media has given many people unrealistic perceptions of cosmetic surgery, and combined with its resulting social pressures, it has greatly impacted today’s culture.