With over $10 billion spent last year by Americans on cosmetic surgery we can't help but wonder why? The answers may vary from person to person, but the phenomenon of surgically altering one's appearance continues to grow at an exponential rate in the United States. As Americans we seek to find perfection and excellence in everything we do, including surgically modifying our natural bodies to achieve a specific appearance or personality. This is especially true among women because they account for 91% of all cosmetic procedures. So why in such a developed and civilized society are we performing surgeries that the outside world may consider immoral and taboo? The answer is simple. We are a society that relies on the approval of others to truly believe we fit in. This idea is spread through tabloids, reality shows, and an ever-increasing fear of the effects of aging on the human body. The fast-paced lifestyle and ever-changing style of American culture are one of the main causes of success in the cosmetic surgery industry. These procedures are more common among women because as a society we place a deep focus on women's beauty. With high expectations, women often feel they don't measure up to the status quo and turn to cosmetic surgery to feel more comfortable with their bodies. The 5 most common cosmetic surgeries are breast augmentation, nasal reshaping, eyelid surgery, liposuction, and facelift procedures. If we have the technology and skills to make someone feel more comfortable, people will be open and willing to participate in these procedures. Cosmetic surgeons also offer a variety of cosmetic procedures that can be performed in a doctor's office. This… middle of the paper… long period of time. These surgeries allow them to continue looking their best and stay in the industry. If celebrities lose the image they once had, they are abandoned and a new, better looking individual takes their place. In a cutthroat environment like this people will do whatever it takes to gain a competitive advantage over everyone else. One of the main reasons why celebrities can maintain perfection is the access they have to the best doctors and the finances needed to perform these cosmetic procedures. It is no coincidence that the most expensive and qualified cosmetic surgeons are located in places like Beverly Hills, California, where celebrities reside. The accessibility and convenience of these surgeries has deemed them socially acceptable and when we see celebrities doing these things it becomes much more intriguing to the average person.