Plastic Perfection?
by Mark H. Levine
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When the doctor’s needle pierces the wrinkles tucked neatly into the corners of their eyes, most Botox patients cringe. The injection, which feels like a mild bee sting, squirts Botulinum toxin type A (a safe variety of the most poisonous substance known to science) directly into the tiny muscles surrounding their eyes. Within minutes, the poison paralyzes their facial muscles, preventing the muscles from contracting and causing wrinkles. The result is younger-looking skin and patients who feel better about themselves. “Feeling good about the way they look is high on the list of priorities for many Americans,” says Dr. Robert Bernard, president of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS).

SEEKING PERFECTION

Statistics support Dr. Bernard’s observation. Hoping to make themselves more attractive, more than eight million Americans underwent plastic surgery and other non-surgical procedures, such as Botox, last year—a 20 percent increase since 2002. Although aging baby boomers accounted for most of those cosmetic procedures, the number of teenagers who sought plastic perfection in 2003 climbed to 223,594—a dramatic increase from 1997, when 59,890 teens scheduled cosmetic surgery.

MEDIA MANIPULATION?

Controversial television shows such as “Extreme Makeover,” “The Swan” and “I Want a Famous Face” are partially responsible for the newfound interest in and widespread acceptance of plastic surgery. Supporters claim that these reality shows help people by promoting plastic surgery, which enables people to feel more confident about their appearances. Matt, a teen who appeared on “I Want a Famous Face,” echoed this attitude during an interview with Teen Newsweek: “If any part of you drains your self-esteem, then why live like that?... There is something you can do.” Critics, on the other hand, point out that reality TV shows raise unrealistic expectations about the effects of cosmetic surgery. “To believe that surgery can change who you are, only leads to disappointment,” says Dr. Bernard.

THE JEWISH VIEW

It’s hard to claim that good looks are irrelevant, especially in today’s environment where the media relentlessly market beauty as an ideal, and where everyone sees that society rewards handsome people. Given the social and professional advantages of being attractive, it is easy to understand the popular pursuit of beauty. Jewish values, however, can provide an alternative perspective on beauty and its relationship to self-esteem. Judaism recognizes that physical beauty is appealing, even as it acknowledges that beauty is also tied to personality (people who smile often are perceived as more beautiful). Pirkei Avot 6:8 identifies beauty as a worthwhile trait: “Beauty, strength, wealth, honor, wisdom, old age, and children befit the righteous.” Rather than tie our sense of self-worth to our physical appearance, Judaism encourages us to recognize that we have been created b’tzelem elokim, in the image of God (Bereishit 1:27), with the variety of human appearances all being a reflection of the Creator. Judaism recognizes physical beauty, like beauty in nature, as a reflection of God’s hand in creation and thus worthy of the following blessing: Praised are You God, Who has created beauty such as this in Your world. Instead of pursuing physical beauty, we should recognize that each of our bodies is a beautiful, unique gift from God.