| Abstract: |
Facial aesthetic procedures, including botulinum toxin injections, dermal fillers, chemical peels, and laser dermatology, have moved from niche indulgence to mainstream healthcare practice over the past two decades. This shift raises a question that clinical literature has answered unevenly: do these interventions genuinely improve psychological wellbeing, or do they merely offer transient satisfaction layered over unresolved body-image concerns? This review synthesizes findings from 30 peer-reviewed studies published between 2005 and 2024, examining the relationship between facial aesthetic treatment and outcomes across depression, anxiety, self-esteem, body dysmorphic tendencies, and quality-of-life indices. The survey draws on cohort studies, randomized trials, cross-sectional surveys, and several meta-analyses to map where consensus exists and where it breaks down. Findings suggest a consistent short-to-medium-term improvement in self-reported satisfaction and social confidence following non-invasive procedures, particularly among patients without diagnosed psychiatric comorbidities. However, the literature also reveals a persistent subgroup estimated at 7 to 15 percent of cosmetic patients across studies presenting with body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), for whom treatment outcomes are poor or actively harmful, regardless of technical success. Measurement inconsistency across studies, heavy reliance on non-validated satisfaction scales, and near-total absence of long-term (beyond 24 months) follow-up data weaken the evidence base considerably. This paper critically evaluates methodological patterns across the surveyed literature, identifies recurring gaps in psychiatric screening protocols, and argues for standardized pre-treatment psychological assessment as a component of routine aesthetic practice rather than an optional safeguard. The review concludes that facial aesthetic treatment carries genuine psychological benefit for appropriately screened patients, but |
