Love them or hate them, it’s undeniable that the Kardashian-Jenner clan are a huge part of today’s celebrity culture. They dominate the news, social media, and are even partly-responsible for the increased popularity of cosmetic surgery procedures such as the Brazilian Butt Lift. The continual presence of this TV family has led a generation of social media savvy young people to succumb to what some analysts have referred to as ‘The Kardashian Effect’.

What is The Kardashian Effect?

The Kardashian Effect is an unofficial term for the rise in the number of young people seeking non-invasive plastic surgery treatments, especially in America. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) has noticed an increase in the number of people under the age of 30 spending money on fillers such as Juvderm and Botox.

There has been a 40% increase in the number of non-invasive procedures performed on 20-29 year olds since 2010; in America in 2015, 170,000 of these non-invasive procedures were performed. Some cosmetic surgeons believe this rise is a direct result of the increasing popularity of medi-spas, where young people can undergo standard relaxation treatments, such as mud baths, have beauty treatments, such as eyebrow threading, and also have Botox as part of the package.

While the rise of these spas definitely feeds into this trend, I don’t think it’s where the problem starts, rather it comes from the look-driven nature of social media. The Kardashians are well-known for flaunting their beauty on Instagram, but what many young people don’t realise is that these pictures have been heavily influenced and edited with Photoshop, as well as Instagram’s own filtering tools. That’s not to say that these people aren’t beautiful, but rather it would be impossible for me to replicate these photos with plastic surgery because they are so heavily doctored. However, this strive for perfection is definitely a symptom of a culture which gives the illusion of exposing all, and that is a culture that Generation Y has grown up in, hence The Kardashian Effect.

Are young people placing too much stock in plastic surgery?

As a plastic surgeon, it would be hypocritical of me to say that no young people should undergo treatment, and I believe that starting a Botox regime at a young age can help prevent wrinkles in the future, but what I would recommend is that all young people understand that moderation is key. I believe that small tweaks are much better than complete overhauls, because every person is beautiful, and treatments should complement an individual’s beauty. What may work for Kim Kardashian may not suit another person.

I do believe that millennial culture is too looks-driven, meaning young people often never become comfortable in their own skin, which is a sad reality.

There are now fears that this culture will seep into and become worse with the next generation, Generation Z, and in fact, there’s evidence of this: in America in 2015, the number of 13-19 year olds having dermal fillers increased 9% compared to 2014.

I believe that more needs to be done to make this industry safer for patients, and while measures have been implemented in the UK to achieve this, no such legislation exists in America. Under-18s are able to have plastic surgery treatments as long as they have parental consent.

If you are considering plastic surgery, it is important to do your research, and understand for whom you’re having work done and why. I can also confirm whether you’re a suitable candidate for surgery after our initial consultation. For more information about the procedures offered here at Harley Street Aesthetics, get in touch today.