Cosmetic surgery. A right to health or a luxury?

Abstract

People have struggled over time to obtain rights. When we mention the subject of cosmetic surgeries, most tend to associate them rather with a lack of their need among people, considering them a whim and not a right. The present study aims to synthesize information from the literature on cosmetic surgery (what are the mechanisms underlying the choice to follow such a procedure, what are the sources that influence body perception and this decision, the associated risks, psychological aspects that accompanying this decision, the sources of information as well as the attitudes of the community towards those who resort to cosmetic surgery), arguing that they represent a human right. However, the study reveals the need to enact laws to protect patients from malpraxis.

Keywords

• cosmetic surgery
• human rights
• health
• legislation
• psychological aspects