Entre a perfeição e o exagero: estudo narrativo sobre procedimentos estéticos.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: this study addresses the relationship between aesthetic procedures and their impacts on mental health, aiming to understand the benefits and challenges associated with this practice. OBJECTIVE: to identify, based on the literature, the influence of aesthetic procedures on self-esteem and self-image. METHODOLOGY: this is a narrative literature review focused on aesthetic procedures and their repercussions on the mental health of individuals who excessively resort to them. The study encompasses publications from 2019 to 2024. FINDINGS: the findings demonstrate that aesthetic procedures, when conducted with proper planning and realistic expectations, tend to significantly improve individuals' self-esteem and quality of life. Notable benefits include enhanced confidence in social interactions and satisfaction with physical appearance. However, considerable risks also emerge, such as a tendency toward dependency on subsequent interventions, the perpetuation of chronic dissatisfaction with self-image, and the exacerbation of preexisting psychological conditions, such as anxiety and body dysmorphic disorder. CONCLUSION: aesthetic procedures, when sought in a healthy and balanced manner, contribute to improvements in self-esteem and self image. The negative impacts of these interventions on mental health are influenced by individuals' expectations, psychological vulnerabilities, and the quality of the services provided by professionals. This investigation highlights the importance of ethical practices to ensure safer, balanced, and patient-centered interventions.