In a city as vibrant as Lagos, the quest for beauty often spreads into discussions, and quite palpably, cosmetic surgeons operational wards. Fueled by its popularity and flaunts, the Brazilian Butt Lift surgery, commonly known as “BBL,” is a form of surgical cosmetic procedure for beauty enhancement that is changing trends in beauty standards today.
While the BBL has gained a high profile, it serves as more than just a cosmetic enhancement; it includes a complex web of beliefs, influence, and most importantly, our self-esteem. As this trend grows, it drives a deep question: how does it affect our self-esteem?
The Culture of Beauty in Lagos
Beauty is not only just a personal quest in Lagos and beyond, but it also serves as a social currency. The city is a cultural blend where beauty trends, fashion, entertainment, and wealth are often in sync with self-worth. From billboards to influencers, the epitome of attraction and beauty standards are defined narrowly with slim waists, clear skin, and curvy body shapes. This pressure has caused rapid demand for BBL.
Psychologists studied that social media plays a major role in shaping the beauty standards of today, influencing their mental image of who they aspire to be, their “ideal selves.” On social media platforms, Lagosians, especially women, flaunt and celebrate before-and-after BBL pictures of their physical appearance, thereby influencing others.
The Psychology Behind The BBL Frenzy
The psychological desire of beauty has its origin in the human need to be accepted. Naturally, we humans are social beings, and how we are seen by others defines our self-worth in most cases. In this sense, the BBL is more than just a cosmetic procedure—it is a key to self-acceptance, social mobility, and status desirability.
However, the desire and pursuit for a “perfect” body is not something new. Historically, societies have always defined the standards of beauty. But with the rise of social media, the need for instant action has been idealized. Research shows that digital affirmations can activate the secretion of dopamine, a hormone that strengthens the connection between beauty and self-esteem.
For many women in Lagos, getting a BBL can be an empowering process in a world where beauty often equals power. But the pursuit of these ideals might also come with some feelings of insecurity. Women who do not meet the “ideal” beauty standards of society may struggle with low self-esteem, unworthiness, or even respect. This can create a risky cycle where the quest and desire of beauty become a continuous and even harmful pursuit.
Beauty Vs Self-Esteem
Undoubtedly, BBL cosmetic surgeries can cause a positive transformation and boost self-esteem in the short term, but the long-term psychological effects are not so positive in most cases. A woman who undergoes BBL may feel temporarily empowered and experience an increase in self-esteem as she garners compliments and admiration. However, such external validation can be temporal. When physical appearance becomes the main source of one’s self-worth; it can create a fragile state of selfhood, one that is dependent on people’s perception rather than an internal sense of value.
The pressure to maintain the “perfect” or “ideal” body can be exhausting mentally. After spending thousands on a procedure, the fear of weight gain, postoperative complications, or societal rejection can completely overshadow any positive feeling. The quest for beauty becomes a continuous cycle of striving for perfection, only to be met with more unattainable standards and further aspirations.
Moreover, the effects of this frenzy ripple through society. The effects of the BBL frenzy spark discussions around self-acceptance and beauty standards, leading to divisive debates—those who condemn cosmetic enhancement often do so with a veneer of ethical superiority while supporters argue for bodily autonomy. Yet a shared vulnerability lies beneath these discussions. So, how do we navigate through this precarious situation?
Redefining Beauty Standards
To inspire change, we must foster discussions around beauty that transcend mere aesthetics. Writer and Vogue editor Chioma Nnadi recommends an inclusive approach; she says, “We ought to celebrate diversity not only in shapes and sizes but in experiences and expressions of beauty.” This sentiment resonates in redefining beauty standards, promoting body positivity, and encouraging individuals to embrace their true identities.
Education and awareness are equally important. Understanding the effects of social media influence on body image is important in addressing the harmful influence of curated lives on the general populace. Encouraging critical thinking of the reality behind the images we consume helps promote a healthier self-perception. Instead of imitating ideals, young women should be empowered by their unique individualities and identities—with curves or without. As we navigate the culture of beauty, let’s celebrate individual journeys—one that resonates with natural self-esteem rooted in acceptance and love rather than societal standards.
Conclusively, the BBL frenzy in Lagos is merely a reflection of a wider societal narrative that continues to shape our notions of self-worth and physical appearance. While the allure of a more “acceptable” and “ideal” appearance can be convincing, it is important to recognize the psychological effects emerging from these choices and always remember that true beauty is not confined to any surgical cosmetic procedure but it insists on self-acceptance, authenticity, intelligence, confidence, and self-love.
As the BBL frenzy goes on in Lagos, perhaps it is worth asking: How can we reshape our understanding of beauty to include the external and, primarily, the internal, where self-esteem is genuinely built from within, not from the surgeon’s scalpel?
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