By Nebal Snan

KUWAIT: Advertisements of cosmetic surgery procedures could negatively affect the mental health of young people in Kuwait, a psychology expert says. The large billboard ads dotting the streets of Kuwait all year round, while advertising for cosmetic services, are also sending young people a message: you are not worthy if you don't match society's beauty standards. Gracing the ads are pictures of women who arguably represent those standards - all with perfectly sculpted features, fair skin, full lips and almond eyes.

Dr Hassan Al-Mousawi said the consistent exposure to these images, whether on the streets or in social media, might result in a skewed perception of beauty among young women, often leading to more serious mental disorders, from anxiety to self-harm. The unrealistic beauty standards not only put women at risk, he said, but also men who have been recently going under the knife more frequently compared to previous years.

The more people view these images, the more likely they will subconsciously internalize that their value as people lies within their appearance and not their character traits and behaviors, said Al-Mousawi. These beliefs could lead them to jump from one procedure to the next, continuously changing their appearance in hopes of reaching an unattainable ideal. Al-Mousawi emphasized that the threat comes from procedures done only for the sake of fitting into a trend, not those prescribed for a medically-necessary reason.

He added that it is only human nature to always be on the lookout for ways to become better at everything, but it is much more valuable for young people to utilize their energy in expanding their horizons through travel and education or in improving their interpersonal skills.

That's where the role of parents and guardians comes in, Al-Mousawi said. Ensuring that young people have high self-esteem begins from a young age. For one, parents shouldn't compare their children's appearance to that of their friends, relatives, or even popular child-celebrities. Instead, they must focus on helping them learn new skills that build character and expose them to experiences that allow them to develop interests beyond their looks.

If families and the society do not step up to educate young people about the hazards of comparing themselves to the images they see on social media, Al-Mousawi said he fears the comparison could exacerbate existing societal issues, such as high divorce rates and infidelity.