In recent years, the popularity of non-surgical cosmetic procedures has grown significantly due to their non-invasive nature and the immediate results they provide. Such procedures include injections of substances like Botox and fillers, as well as non-invasive treatments like laser therapy and chemical peels {11–12}.
College students are a particularly relevant group to consider in the context of non-surgical cosmetic procedures, given their inclination towards enhancing their appearance and maintaining a youthful look. This discourse seeks to investigate the level of awareness of non-surgical cosmetic procedures among university students, with a particular focus on the potential influence of factors such as gender, age, academic specialization, academic year, economic status, and social status. Moreover, this discussion aims to compare the differences between individuals who have undergone non-surgical cosmetic procedures and those who have not.
Previous research has demonstrated that women are more inclined to undergo non-surgical cosmetic procedures than men, with societal expectations regarding the maintenance of a youthful appearance and adherence to beauty standards being potential contributing factors (11). Nonetheless, there has been an increase in the number of men expressing interest in such procedures, particularly in the context of facial rejuvenation injections (11). Consistent with these findings, our study reports that female participants were more likely to have knowledge of and undergo non-surgical cosmetic procedures, representing 75% of the survey sample.
While non-surgical cosmetic procedures are commonly performed on individuals between the ages of 35 and 50 (12), younger individuals, including college students, are increasingly interested in such procedures as a preventive measure to maintain their youthful appearance. In terms of the impact of academic specialization and year, prior research has demonstrated that medical and dental students exhibit greater knowledge of and interest in non-surgical cosmetic procedures than students in other disciplines (13). Moreover, older students tend to exhibit greater knowledge of and interest in such procedures than younger students (13). Our study findings align with these previous results, as we observed that students in medical and business administration faculties were more likely to have undergone non-surgical cosmetic procedures, with demand being higher among students in their third to sixth years of study.
Non-surgical cosmetic procedures can be expensive, potentially limiting access for individuals with lower economic status (Rohrich et al., 2018). Conversely, individuals with higher social status may have greater access to these procedures due to their affordability and desire to maintain a certain image (12). Our study results align with these findings. Previous research has shown that individuals who have undergone non-surgical cosmetic procedures are more likely to be female, older adults with higher levels of income and education (Kochhar et al., 2019). Additionally, those who have undergone such procedures are more likely to exhibit positive attitudes towards them and report improvements in self-esteem and confidence (11).
Research indicates that the majority of college students who have undergone non-surgical cosmetic procedures are females aged between 18 and 24 (14). Such students often report experiencing enhanced confidence and self-esteem following the procedure (15). However, there are concerns regarding the safety and efficacy of these procedures, particularly when performed by untrained or unlicensed practitioners (American Society of Plastic Surgeons, 2019) (13). Conversely, students who have not undergone non-surgical cosmetic procedures may have varying reasons for avoiding them. Some may express concerns about potential side effects or risks associated with the procedures (14), while others may prefer a more natural approach to self-care and beauty (15–16).
The popularity of non-surgical cosmetic procedures among university students, particularly in medical and dental specialties, is on the rise. Women are more inclined than men to undergo these procedures, and individuals with higher economic status and education levels are more likely to have experience with them. Those who have undergone these procedures have reported improvements in self-esteem and confidence. Given these trends, it is crucial for healthcare professionals to remain informed about non-surgical cosmetic procedures and to provide accurate information to patients.