Beyond Dollars and Scars: The Influence of Wealth Inequality on Total Expenditure on Cosmetic Procedures in the United States

Abstract

The present study delves into the “beauty paradox,” a multifaceted phenomenon influenced by wealth inequality, societal norms, and consumer behaviors, specifically regarding spending on cosmetic procedures. Relying on data from the United States Census Bureau and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the research primarily focuses on the Gini coefficient, Mean Logarithmic Deviation (MLD), and income data for the lowest and top 5% quintiles of mean household income over a 15-year span. The analysis uncovers a significant correlation between Total Expenditures on Cosmetic Surgery and minimally invasive procedures and the wealth of the top 5% income quintile. The “Cosmetic Enhancement Cycle (CEC)” is proposed, indicating a symbiotic growth between wealth accumulation among the affluent and the plastic surgery industry. As such, the “beauty paradox” lays bare the multifaceted consequences of wealth inequality, necessitating a comprehensive approach that addresses socioeconomic dynamics, accessibility of cosmetic procedures, societal norms, and perceptions. This investigation underscores the imperative for further exploration into the myriad ways that wealth inequality sculpts societies and influences behaviors, including within the context of the CEC.