Can Beauty Be Defined

What is Beauty?

Is it appropriate for an individual or a group of individuals to determine what is beautiful and what is not.

The classic definition of beauty is a quality that gives pleasure to the mind or senses and is associated with such properties as harmony of form or color, excellence of artistry, truthfulness, and originality.

As the saying goes, "beauty is in the eye of the beholder." This statement resonates how our own beauty and of those around us is of partly of perception. This concept of personal beauty is critical in plastic surgery that every patient's point of view is heard.

Society has a clearer definition of what is beautiful and what is not. Some studies have examined this question (Altering first impressions in facial plastic surgery, Aesthetic Plast Surg 2004 28(5):301-6). Amazingly, they found that patients who were postoperative cosmetic were graded more attractive, better in social skills, more successful in dating, more athletic, and more financially successful. Many other studies have found attractive individuals receive better judgement, treatment and behavior.

The amazing concept about plastic surgery is that individuals can change the way others perceive them and more importantly they way others perceive themselves.