How to Approach Someone Who’s Overdoing it on Cosmetic Surgery
Nowadays, it’s common for people to get a facelift, have their lips plumped, or erase their facial lines. These procedures can often result in an improvement in their appearance and give them a boost of confidence. So, what happens when your best friend’s latest cosmetic procedure makes you want to give her the side eye? Here are some ideas that may help you when you have to practice tough love.
When Should You Say Something?
It’s understandable that your friend may have gotten caught up in the cosmetic surgery craze and want to try it for themselves. After all, according to Fortune Business Insights, over 13 million cosmetic procedures have been done in the U.S., and almost 3.5 million of those were done to erase facial lines. Perhaps your friend has had a previous procedure which she believes has improved her looks.
If you feel your friend has had one facelift too many, what should you do? Ultimately, it’s their body and their mental health. They may honestly think their new procedure looks good. But, sometimes, it may seem apparent to those who love your friend that the work they’ve done was a detriment rather than an improvement.
Show Them Your Care and Concern
When you decide to talk to your friend, keep your words gentle, but stay honest. Don’t express any judgment about their thought process. If your friend senses your judgment, they could become defensive and angry about their choice. Stress how much you care about them; you’re not against cosmetic surgery, but feel they may have gone too far.
How to Answer Their Questions with Loving Answers
Sometimes, people will have cosmetic work done on their faces or bodies and think no one will notice. Instead of beginning your comments with ‘Oh, no! What did you do?’ it’s preferable to ask, “Did you have some work done?” This can temporarily preserve their illusion that it’s “not that noticeable.” Try to find something in their new look that you like before kindly suggesting they may want to prioritize their inner beauty in the future.
Some who get cosmetic surgery may feel unsure of how they feel about the results. They may want reassurance and ask you how they look. As much as you may want to let them feel better, this can be your opportunity to share your truth. Let them know you can empathize with wanting to feel more attractive, but their smile may feel too tight for a while.
Ask Your Friend What’s Going On
If your kind and subtle approaches don’t seem to be getting through, you may need to switch tactics. You may need to ask them directly about what’s going on. They may be battling relationship problems and trying to win someone back. According to U.S. News, 20% of patients ask to resemble a celebrity when they are having cosmetic surgery.
Remember to point out any improvements their cosmetic work has made, in addition to stressing your concerns. After all, according to a Healthline study, almost 66% of people who used Juvederm on their faces were satisfied with its results. Over 70% who used Juvederm on their eyes were pleased with their results. Your concern for them may be sincere, but once you share it, the decision will be theirs.
So, should you say something to your friend? It’s better to share your concern than to let it cause an emotional rift between you. If you show your friend your loving intentions, they may be able to see their cosmetic changes through new eyes. Most of all, always keep your love for your friend as your biggest priority.