Sexual Attractiveness: Can cosmetic surgery help?

People seek to improve their appearance for many reasons. Most commonly they want to improve the way they look in the mirror, to please themselves. Many times they also want to change the impression they give to others. I have one patient, the president of a company that employs many women, including his wife. He regularly gets Botox for his frown lines because, as he says "I look so mean when I frown".

Many people get Botox (Botox link) or have fillers (Fillers link)  to reward themselves or to pick themselves up when they feel down. Some studies suggest that Botox injections may alleviate depression (Botox and depression link) . This may very well apply to fillers as well.
When there is an important event such as a family get together or wedding, or a school reunion, people will often have procedures performed so they will look better. We have seen numerous instances where people were preparing to meet and date old aquaintences, and they took steps in advance to improve their appearances. In addition to Botox and fillers, people have had MACS-lifts (MACS-Lift Link) , laserpeels (MicrolaserPeel Link) and even full face resurfacing (Resurfacing link) . People who are undergoing changes in their life, a divorce or a new job, will frequently take steps to look better.
Sexual attractiveness is a complex issue, and depends on personality as well as appearance. Nevertheless there are studies, particularly with regard to breast implants, where people report that having the procedure has improved the quality of their lives (Breast Implant Satisfaction) . This is certainly the case with other procedures as well. There is universal agreement that appropriate use of Botox and fillers can make people look more approachable, and the recent progress in facial sculpting with fillers (Facial Sculpting Link) allows people to quickly and easily appear more youthful. Although definitive studies have not been performed, we have had repeated reports from patients that after having these procedures people spontaneously  tell them how good they look, and younger individuals of the opposite sex not infrequently ask them out on dates. As an example we had a patient who was a nurse in her 40s who was asked out by a patient n his early twenties. When she told him her age, and that she was a grandmother, he replied that he had guessed that she was in her early 30s.
In conclusion, although there is not definitive information, there is little question that many cosmetic procedures make people look more approachable and attractive. All other things being equal, this is likely to have a positive effect in a variety of social interactions.

Gerald N. Bock MD
Stockton CA
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