Cosmetic Surgery: Between Necessity and Luxury
In recent years, we have all noticed the intensive advertisements related to cosmetic procedures in all their forms and types, displayed on streets, in malls, and in public places, not to mention the constant exposure on social media, whether by specialists or non-specialists in this field. The Ministry of Health, through its continuous monitoring and teams working around the clock, has shut down numerous non-compliant health facilities that perform procedures or use medically unlicensed materials across various specialties. Undoubtedly, such clinics play a significant role in this trend, which is a clear indication of the ignorance and recklessness of many people regarding their health, driven by their attraction to and belief in everything published and displayed on social media, both within and outside Kuwait. This is where the problem lies: who will compensate a woman or man in the event of a failed procedure, resulting in bodily or facial disfigurement, or even death in some cases?
In the past, cosmetic procedures were limited in scope and performed out of necessity due to accidents and burns. Today, however, they have become a luxury and merely a means of altering one’s appearance to resemble a celebrity or famous personality, to the extent that some individuals have completely changed their facial features and now look like entirely different people. Perhaps their original appearance was better, but blind imitation, coupled with the availability of money and leisure time, has led them to take risks and undergo procedures they do not truly need. We have even reached a point where we see some individuals who have undergone such procedures in markets and other public places, wearing bandages and medical dressings on their faces as if it were something normal.
Allah, the Exalted, when He created us, assigned a specific function to each organ, and altering one affects the others. This has been discussed by some who have undergone such procedures, reporting changes in their sense of smell, taste, vision, or skin condition. This is a natural consequence, as every medical procedure carries potential future complications that may either resolve or persist. We all understand the necessity of undergoing procedures for some individuals, particularly those with congenital deformities or defects that affect their lives or prevent them from marrying. Such cases are considered a necessity, not a luxury, unlike those who do not need such procedures.
On the other hand, the ironically sad reality is that men are undergoing cosmetic procedures after becoming family heads with grown sons. Some men undergo procedures to alter the shape of their lips, cheeks, nose, and other features that even women might not typically pursue. Where has religion gone? Where have modesty and masculinity gone? Some individuals, both men and women, mistakenly believe that people’s silence and lack of comment on their actions indicate approval or admiration. In reality, many feel disgust toward such behavior.
Therefore, we urge everyone to avoid altering Allah’s creation and to stay away from what harms them and turns them into objects of ridicule and mockery, especially when there is no genuine need or necessity.
