Hi there, I'm Rose Kerr from ABC Radio National's All In The Mind team, stepping in for Sana Qadar this month.

Although we usually talk about the inner workings of the human brain, I recently had the chance to examine what's on the outside — our appearance. More specifically, our relationship with cosmetic procedures.

It might sound a bit frivolous but it's a topic that touches on so many aspects of our psychology, including body image, self-esteem, and how we relate to each other. 

It's also becoming increasingly common, especially when you look at non-surgical treatments like botox or fillers.

Being in my early 30s and having a reasonable interest in celebrities and trends, I wasn't surprised to hear of how cosmetic procedures are on the rise, but what did surprise me is the stigma that still exists for people who get work done.

Research has shown that women who are perceived as considering plastic surgery are seen as less warm, moral and human, when compared to those not considering surgery. But this trend was lessened when the woman in question was considered conventionally unattractive.

So when you combine this with the potential of pretty privilege — the idea that being attractive helps you get further ahead in life — you reveal a seemingly unwinnable game. 

Being good looking is aspirational, but if you're doing it through surgery, it's frowned upon. This can lead to stigma or judgement from other people as well as internalised stigma where people feel like they need to justify their choices in some way.

From my perspective, there is no wrong or right choice about cosmetic procedures (even if I personally find needles scary) but I have found investigating why we as humans are interested in changing our faces has been incredibly interesting. I hope you do too!

Just before I go, I also wanted to let you know of a new four-part series we've been working on called Forensic that unpacks the psychological tools used to solve crimes. Definitely one for any fans of true crime, police dramas or detective mysteries.

And don't forget to check out some of the other stories in this newsletter from across the ABC.

Rose

P.S. If you have other topics you'd like to hear more about on All In The Mind, or you want to suggest a guest expert for Mind Hacks, send us an email.

And if you — or someone you know — find any of the themes we touch on in this newsletter difficult, please reach out to services such as Lifeline 13 11 14, Beyond Blue 1300 22 46 36 or the Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800.

All In The Mind is an exploration of the mental: the mind, brain and behaviour. It airs on Sundays at 1pm and is repeated on Mondays at 11am and Fridays at 2.30am on ABC Radio National. Listen for free on the ABC listen app.

You can find more mental-health-related content on ABC iview, and head to our dedicated page for articles.

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