Breast Augmentation + Liposuction: Venezuelans commonly borrow for plastic surgery.
Venezuelans commonly borrow for plastic surgery.
In the subway you can see ads for clinics that offer credit for plastic surgery, Thermage, Fraxel, laser hair removal, breast augmentation, laser treatments and Botox treatments, and that women who work use their vacation bonuses and borrow from their work savings accounts. The cosmetic surgery and medical spa industry will make sure that cosmetic work remains within reach to ensure a steady flow of income.
THE NEED TO BE BEAUTIFUL
Despite the hefty price tag, the choice to get plastic surgery, Botox, or laser treaments is not considered a luxury for some Venezuelans.
"We need to be beautiful," said Patino.
Competition among women, by far the biggest consumers of plastic surgery in Venezuela, to look their best is fierce, and social pressure to get work done is high.
"Socially, there is a lot of demand, especially from men, to have a good body," said Prem Pratita, a 27-year-old who had a breast augmentation a few weeks ago.
In this image-conscious country, famous for beauty queens who win record numbers of international pageant titles, the idea of getting cosmetic surgery is instilled at a young age.
Patino recalls how, as a child, her mother and aunt dreamt of surgery to get rid of wrinkles. Now, with a child of her own, the subject is already on the table.
"I told my husband, 'Look honey, if she has your nose, she's going to get plastic surgery,'" said Patino.
Some young women even describe moving up a few cup sizes through plastic surgery as a rite of passage.
"It's a transformation from being a girl to being a woman," said Pratita, who said she was one of the last in her circle of friends to have the procedure.
"Everybody has a breast augmentation. Three or four of every seven women have one," said plastic surgeon Angel Pena, who likens his surgery to body decoration practiced for centuries.
"By nature, human beings have the desire to look better ... this desire is timeless and it's a desire that doesn't depend on your economic situation ... it's not that frivolous."
Comments [0]