The Impact of Kim Kardashian on the World of Plastic Surgery

by April Maguire

Like it or not, we live in a world where the Kardashians are a household name. When you step back and think about it, it's truly remarkable the empire that the family has cultivated in just a decade's time. While Kim and her family have, for better or worse, left an indelible mark on the world of pop culture, it's actually the world of plastic surgery that the Kardashians may have helped to change the most.

Perhaps it's not a coincidence that the rise of Kim Kardashian mirrored the rise of social media. In fact, it's safe to say that a figure such as Kim – who is notoriously famous simply for being famous – could not exist without the social media platforms through which she harnesses her brand. Above all else, that brand is seemingly built upon two fundamental ideas: living a fabulous lifestyle and shameless, unabashed openness.

Naturally, part of Kim's incredible lifestyle is, well, looking incredible. To that end, Kim often talks about her exercise regimen as well as the beauty products that she personally uses. But she has also been consistently open about undergoing cosmetic enhancement, routinely allowing herself to be filmed receiving Botox injections as well as dermal laser treatments.

While Kim Kardashian may not have been the first celebrity to unabashedly admit to getting cosmetic enhancement, she certainly took her honesty about the practice to a new level. Subsequently, other members of her family followed suit, openly discussing their own forays into plastic surgery.

Most notably, Kim's younger sister Kylie has admitted to getting lip injections. Yet despite this admission, Kylie still makes millions of dollars a year selling her own line of lip kits, which feature lipsticks, glosses and liners so that everyday people can hope to replicate the look of Kylie's amazing lips. To some, that may sound hypocritical, but that strange dichotomy actually represents the fundamental change that the Kardashians have helped bring to the practice of cosmetic enhancement.

Put simply, Kim Kardashian and her family helped to normalize plastic surgery. It didn't need to be a dirty little secret, relegated to rumors and innuendo. It could be celebrated and embraced as a natural part of helping anyone look the way that they want to look. Suddenly, cosmetic enhancement was more analogous to makeup than to major surgery. It was a tool that any woman, or man for that matter, should feel free to use to correct insecurities.

So regardless of how you feel about the Kardashians, there is no denying the impact they've had on the world plastic surgery. Cosmetic enhancement is more popular than ever before, with more people undergoing procedures every single year. And there are no signs that that popularity is going to wane anytime soon.

If you or someone you know would like to learn more about plastic surgery, please feel free to schedule a consultation or contact one of our representatives today!