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Adolescent Cosmetic Surgery

Amanda Lawrence

RWS 1302

University of Texas at El Paso

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Introduction

In today’s society, external appearances and social status are of the utmost importance.

Cosmetic surgery is a growing phenomenon, remarkably in adolescents, that is intended to alter

one’s physical appearance to their liking. Media of all sorts play a major role in creating that

focus on individuals’ appearances. Adolescent cosmetic surgery is viewed differently throughout

different media outlets, such as YouTube videos compared to academic journals.

YouTube is a nationwide video sharing service that allows millions of individuals to

upload or watch other videos. YouTube is full of social media influencers discussing many

different topics and/or just filming their everyday life. It is a very diverse media outlet as

compared to academic journals. Academic journals are always peer-reviewed before published.

The experts in the field of study will review and approve the article before its final publication.

The two media genres can both examine the same topic, but the information is sure to be

discussed and covered differently.

Audience and Purpose

Academic journals take a more scholarly approach when it comes to exploring the topic

of cosmetic surgery. It mainly has a lot to do with the wide research and health concerns of these

procedures. According to Zuckerman and Abrahams (2008), they found that these procedures

come with more complications of mental health and life to a not fully developed adolescent. (p.

320). Zuckerman and Abraham believe that the lack of information given to teens is the cause of

the growing implications. The dangers that come from cosmetic surgery can be life changing.
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The roles of media, peers, and celebrities have an influence over adolescents’ views on

cosmetic procedures because they are the most impactful to this generation. YouTube is a video

sharing service that allows individuals to watch videos posted by others or to upload videos of

their own. Anchai (AnchaiMUA) is a heavily followed YouTube influencer, with over 113K

subscribers. Anchai uploaded a YouTube video completely dedicated to her nose job experience,

where she brought along her viewers throughout the whole process. She begins with showing

herself before surgery where she explains her condition and why she will be undergoing a

cosmetic procedure. Anchai proceeds to show herself week-by-week after her surgery, just to

show her healing process. Lastly, Anchai shows a before and after pictures of her nose then

explains how pleased she is with the outcome and claims that she could not have had a better

experience. Anchai is just one of many YouTubers that film and upload videos of their cosmetic

surgery. Throughout YouTube videos based on cosmetic surgery the influencer is explain what

great opportunities the surgery has presented them with and often fail to explain the negative

factors that could very possibly occur.

The two media genres both explain how these cosmetic procedures can affect a person,

although one is a personal experience and one is based off research. Most often YouTube videos

can be told off a personal experience, they are told by the person who first handedly experienced

them. As compared to an academic journal that is based off of research and studies, often the

writer themselves has never experienced the topic that is being discussed. Both medias have a lot

to say over cosmetic surgery, the person speaking to the audience may have a different view or

connection with the topic.

Structure
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An academic journal is a publication in which scholarship relating to a particular

academic discipline is published. Zuckerman and Abraham mention their collaboration with

scholarly websites and give proper citations as to where they gain their information. The authors

write on the topic from research; they themselves do not speak off of personal experience. They

accumulate information from more than just one individual and examine the results.

YouTube videos are based primarily off of personal experiences and story of the

influencer. Anyone and everyone is allowed to upload onto YouTube, meaning its content many

not always be the most reliable. Anchai does not mention anything besides her situation and

experience. Results often vary amongst individuals who are interested in a cosmetic procedure.

Meaning that although the surgery went well for her, it may not go well for someone else.

Both media genres cover the topic of adolescent cosmetic surgery from two very different

points of view. The academic journal is not based on just one individual, but on many others that

have experienced cosmetic surgery. As compared to a YouTuber videos where the information is

primarily based off of a personal experience. As shown from research on adolescent cosmetic

surgery, these procedures often do more harm them good.

Style and Language

An academic journal is much more formal source because it is written based off of

research and often written by a knowledgeable person(s). Academic journals often use citations

as to where they got their information they are providing to their audience. The information

given in an academic journal is reliable and trustworthy because it has been thoroughly

researched. Information given in an academic journal can very likely be based off of a wide
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range of people that was examined and studied closely. Zuckerman and Abraham use citations

throughput their academic journal to show the audience where they got their information from.

YouTube videos are a very inadequate source of information because it is can possibly be

based off either personal experience or little to no research. The information given on YouTube

is never cited so the information that is being told does not necessarily mean it’s true. Anchai

does not mention any sources or data on her surgery, it is specially based off her personal

experience and how the surgery went for her.

The media genres both discuss cosmetic surgery but are speaking from different point of

view. When looking for a reliable source, it is recommended to us an academic journal rather

than a YouTube video. Each media genre will portray a topic differently, some being formal and

others being not as formal.

Rhetorical Issue

Ethos is often used to create credibility of the person, as shown in selected media genres.

In Zuckerman and Abraham’s academic journal, the authors use ethos as a form of establishing

credibility by mentioning their degree and the scholarly sites they have collaborated in research

with. In Anchai video she provides credibility by filming and first-handedly speaking of her

experience.

Pathos is used to persuade an audience by appealing to their emotions. Throughout the

journal Zuckerman and Abraham use pathos by mentioning they have found that adolescent

cosmetic surgery has assisted small children with birth defects such as cleft lip. In Anchai

YouTube video she briefly explains her past complications with breathing, making a connection

with the audience.

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Logos is used to supply the audience with logic and reason. Zuckerman and Abraham use

logos throughout their article by focusing on data-based articles, such as PubMed and

PsycINFO, in additional to books and websites to get facts and statistics. Anchai does not show

any type of logos in her view mainly because she not trying to support any type of argument, she

is just showing her personal experience.

When trying to peruse an individual ethos, pathos, and logos are used to convince an

audience. Ethos represents the credibility of the writer, pathos symbolizes for the emotional

appeal that is being presented to the audience, and lastly, logos signifies the facts the author

provides to the reader. Throughout both academic journals and some YouTube videos, this

method of persuasion is used in efforts to get their point across. Zuckerman and Abraham do

use each section of ethos, pathos, and logos since they are writing to inform and persuade.

Anchai does not present all these forms of persuasion in her YouTube video, perhaps her

intentions were to persuade but to film her experience.

Conclusion

Throughout Zuckerman and Abrahams academic journal they explain the dangers and

risks of cosmetic procedures solely based off of data and research. The dangers far outweigh the

identified benefits of adolescent cosmetic surgery. Academic journals have the disadvantage of

not first handedly speaking but have the advantage of having such a wide collection of data and

information to speak from.

Although Anchai’s YouTube video was not based off of research and data, she gives her

audience her personal experience. Each experience is different and may not be the be relatable to

all people. The weak points of YouTube are that they are not as reliable and trustworthy, any
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individual can upload and say whatever they’d like. A benefit of YouTube is that the videos are

much more appealing to the younger generations and is continuously growing.

In both media genres the topic of cosmetic surgery is addressed and discussed very

different. Each media genre has its strong and weak point, they each show what the other one

cannot. Both media outlets are an unlimited source for information and are used daily by many.

In their own way they are excellent to stay informed, learn about a new topic, or just to collect

information. Academic journals are much more reliable when looking for trustworthy

information.
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References

 AnchaiMUA. (2017,May). My Nose Surgery Experience VLOG. Retrieved

From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPQn4MWA6ds

 Zuckerman, D., & Abraham, A. (2008). Teenagers and cosmetic surgery: Focus on

breast augmentation and liposuction doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2008.04.018