Cosmetic surgery is an elective surgery that is carried out for the purpose of improving one's looks. The surgery usually does not carry any medical or health benefits. All that one would gain from undergoing the surgery, are being exposed to all the attached risks. Not forgetting, obtaining what they perceive to be, better looks. It is then assumed by many that people who choose to have cosmetic surgery, are vain. They exceptionally aimed for enhanced looks, more than what they are entitled to, by age or genetics.

Vanity is associated with being self-absorbed. For a vain person, the purpose of having better looks, would be to gain admiratic and positive attention from the people around them.

However, many fail to consider that our looks have a very significant impact on many other aspects of our lives. They also did not realise that vanity may not be the purpose behind having cosmetic surgery for many.

Cosmetic surgery could improve the way one interacts with and vice versa. Every human being, is born looking differently. While beauty is very much in the eye of the proverbial beholder, certain features of individuals are universally considered to be unattractive. Below are two quoted examples:

- an excessive amount of fat or hair,

- perhaps the way a certain body part is shaped

The two above-mentioned matter are both ideas which are further established by the media. Much as we may not like to acknowledge it, there are unattractive individuals among us, which exists in the society. Research being carried out by psychologists, reflects that attractive people, do receive preferential treatment over unattractive people, even in areas where looks do not play any factor.

In a study shown on the "Discovery Channel", young children were shown pictures of two different categories group of people. The first group, shows pictures of well-groomed and attractive models, while the second shows historically, significant figures known for their contributions to Man. Figures such as world leaders, saints and scientists. When asked, which group of people were "kinder" and "smarter", the children, almost, always instinctively chose the models. This proves that, it is in our intricate human nature, that we infer a lot about a person, from their outer appearance. The better a person looks, the better we assume all aspects of that person are. By aspects, I am refering to character, intelligence and moral values. Thus, when a person, undergoes cosmetic surgery, and attains better looks, they are likely to be better treated by others, especially when socialising or in the workplace.

Cosmetic surgery can also help people with very low self-esteem. People who are, or who perceive themselves to be unattractive, may find it harder to interact with others, and socialise. This is because, they may feel that their looks, draw them negative attention from others, whether self-imagined or not. When such people, undergo cosmetic surgery, they are allowed to change things about their appearance that they dislike and feel better about themselves. This point is further exemplified by the existence of a psychological disorder known as "Body Dysmorphic Disorder". It is where a person finds a part of their body, highly repulsive and difficult for other people to look at, despite there, not being any obvious physical deformity. While counselling and not surgery is the answer for these people, it does reflect on the kind of thought patterns human beings are prove to having. People who are insecure about their looks, can probably relate to a person with the disorder, albeit on a much smaller scale. They may feel that their looks, make them dislikeable to others, and feel that there's a need for change.

Lastly, people in certain industries, such as the modelling or acting industry, many undergo cosmetic surgery, out of necessity. These people are often hired based on how they look. The better they look, the better their job prospects will be. Thus, by undergoing surgery, they will be able to remain as favourable candidates for casting roles and modelling jobs.

The truth is, attractive people do get more out of life than unattractive people. Cosmetic surgery may be carried out to improve a number of aspects on one's life. What I meant by aspects on this context, are social interaction, self-esteem and profession. It is therefore untrue that cosmetic surgery serves only the needs of the vain.