When it comes to the world’s most popular cosmetic surgery procedures, the breast augmentation has always been up there with the best of them, and during the 90s and early 00s, it became the go-to treatment for women who were looking to enhance their figures.
In an era when larger breasts and waif-like waists and hips were considered the pinnacle of beauty, the chance to enhance cleavage in a more permanent way and ultimately, no longer having to rely on a push-up ‘Wonderbra’ to do the job for them was an attractive prospect for many. At a time when cosmetic surgery was still relatively uncommon, revolutionary new techniques in this particular procedure propelled it directly into the limelight, paving the way for the explosion of advanced cosmetic surgery techniques we know today.
But as societal beauty ideals continue to evolve, and body positivity movements gather momentum across the globe, it seems our attitudes to what we consider to be beautiful is changing – after all, isn’t every body type worthy of love and appreciation?
And if this is the case, are cosmetic surgery procedures like the breast augmentation really still popular in 2023 – or has their moment in the spotlight been well and truly consigned to the history books?
Surprisingly, online searches for ‘trusted boob job provider’ and related terms remain high in 2023, albeit perhaps not as high as in their heyday. Here, we take a look at how they have found a new place in today’s ever-changing modern world.
The body positivity movement effect
In recent years, there has been a noticeable shift in beauty ideals, first with the emphasis on curves shifting away from the breast area and onto the buttocks instead, with procedures like the Brazilian butt lift eclipsing the ‘original’ cosmetic procedure of choice as women have increasingly sought to emulate the likes of Kim Kardashian, J-Lo, and other high-profile celebrities and influencers who have been naturally blessed in the derriere department.
But whilst ‘butt fever’ is still very much alive and well, a different take on the concept of beauty is turning these somewhat dated ideals on their head, placing an emphasis instead on loving the skin you’re in and embracing natural beauty, flaws and all.
This shift, which has been largely driven by social media, has, in turn, changed the way we perceive our bodies and meant that more women are choosing to remain unchanged, no longer feeling the need to go under the knife in search of a much-needed confidence boost. Instead, it seems we’re going all in on celebrating diversity and natural beauty in all its glory, redefining it to encompass all manner of shapes and sizes, which many feel can only be a good thing.
This has, of course, meant that cosmetic procedures like the so-called ‘boob job’ have to some degree, fallen out of favour amongst the masses – but does this mean they have been ‘cancelled’ all together?
Finding their place
In a word, no. Breast augmentations might no longer be the go-to for the woman who is eager to conform to societal norms and beauty ideals, but that doesn’t mean they are no longer seen as essential procedures for some.
While originally, they may have become popular for their size-enhancing capabilities, the breast augmentation offers many other benefits than just a more voluminous bust, although this, in itself, can provide a much-needed boost in confidence for some women.
The motivations for seeking breast augmentation in 2023 are many, and range from correcting asymmetry and restoring lost volume post-pregnancy or after extreme weight loss, to forming part of reconstructive surgery following a mastectomy. These are important and timeless applications that go beyond vanity and can empower women by enabling them to take back control of their bodies and reclaim their feminine power, so it’s unlikely that the demand for them in contexts such as these will fade anytime soon.
Perhaps one day, breast augmentations will be eclipsed by more advanced and less invasive alternatives, but while techniques are continuing to evolve rapidly in the background, we’re not quite there yet. There are, however, now some interesting non-surgical alternatives gaining attention, and as the range of options available continues to expand and results improve, this could be the direction we are heading in.
The promise of minimal downtime, a quick recovery and no scarring is, of course, an appealing prospect, and eventually, such techniques might provide the same impressive and long-lasting results that breast augmentations can – but for now, women are continuing to seek them out regardless of changing beauty standards because of their long history, track record and quick results.
