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IOL News
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Beauty at a price: the allure and risks of South Africa's cosmetic surgery craze
A household name in South Africa, Khanyi Mbau is widely recognised for frequently having cosmetic surgery. Image: @thenaughtyhun/X We live in a time where scrolling through Instagram or TikTok is like flipping through a modern-day beauty magazine. Flawless skin, perfect bodies and 'ageless' faces seem almost ordinary, especially when celebrities like Khanyi Mbau openly share their cosmetic journeys online. But as the allure of cosmetic procedures grows, so do questions around self-worth, societal pressure and the gap between expectation and reality. For many South Africans, it's easy to relate when public figures discuss hair loss (traction alopecia, anyone?), pigmentation or the desire to age gracefully. Yet, as cosmetic surgery becomes more mainstream, the line between empowerment and insecurity gets blurry. Mbau, a household name in Mzansi, has become synonymous with transformation, sometimes controversially so. Her openness about skin lightening, fillers, Botox and a range of surgeries (from blepharoplasty to breast augmentation) has sparked both admiration and confusion. As reported, she's suggested she's had 'maybe 20 plus' procedures. When the final results are revealed online, South Africans often find themselves asking: Is the reality ever as extraordinary as the expectation? Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Mbau recently underwent blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) and a lip lift in September 2024. She also got a fox eye procedure during the same time. These procedures were performed to address bagginess under her eyes, remove excess skin on her upper eyelids, and enhance the shape of her lips. Image: Screenshot/X The numbers support this growing trend. According to the Global and South African Statistics on Aesthetic/Cosmetic Procedures from the ISAPS 2023 Survey, South Africa mirrors global trends, with botulinum toxin (botox) and hyaluronic acid (fillers) being popular non-surgical procedures, and eyelid surgery, breast augmentation, and liposuction being favoured surgical procedures. But unlike Hollywood, where the culture of 'tweakments' is almost expected, South Africa's relationship with cosmetic enhancement is layered with cultural, economic and social nuances. Dr Cebi Sibisi, a Durban-based dermatologist and educator, shares: 'Social media certainly amplifies the pressure to look a certain way by constantly showcasing idealised standards, lighter skin, small waists, fuller hips and perfect breasts. "These visuals drive feelings of inadequacy and fuel the desire to conform.' According to Sibisi, what we're seeing isn't new. Procedures like breast augmentation have been around for years, but social media has made them more visible and accessible, particularly to younger generations and communities of colour. This rings especially true for South Africa, a country where colourism and Eurocentric beauty standards are still deeply entrenched. Lightening creams are commonly advertised, and the desire for certain features is often linked to notions of success or attractiveness. Empowerment or external validation? Why do some people, especially celebrities, go to such lengths? Sibisi explains: 'Self-perception is a major factor. Some want personal satisfaction, like restoring their body after childbirth or weight loss. For others, it's about external validation and fitting in.' But she cautions that if the pursuit becomes obsessive, where no result is ever enough, it starts to cross into dangerous psychological territory. According to mental health professionals, repeated plastic surgery can sometimes be linked to a condition called Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD). This flaw is often imagined or exaggerated in their mind, and no amount of surgery can "fix" the way they feel. People with BDD often seek cosmetic procedures, but rarely feel satisfied with the results. Their perception of their bodies remains distorted, so the cycle continues. Mbau reportedly wanted a more permanent solution to her facial appearance rather than relying on fillers and Botox Image: @thenaughtyhub/X screenshot A famous example is Jocelyn Wildenstein, who underwent many surgeries and ended up with a very unusual, catlike face. Her story shows how the desire for continuous change, without limits, can sometimes lead to extreme results. Bombarded with Instagram filters and beauty influencers, it's easy to feel like you're not good enough. For some, especially those already struggling with self-esteem, this pressure leads to perfectionism. Surgery becomes a tool to chase an impossible idea of beauty. Unfortunately, perfection doesn't exist and chasing it can become emotionally and physically harmful. There are a few reasons why stopping isn't easy: The "just one more" mentality: Much like dieting or gym goals, people convince themselves that just one more tweak will finally make them happy. Diminished return on satisfaction: The high from changing one thing fades, and the dissatisfaction returns, so they move on to the next procedure. Normalising change: Over time, the face or body starts to look 'normal' to the person, even if it looks extreme to others. They lose perspective. The double-edged sword of public scrutiny It's not just about the procedures but also the aftermath. Public figures face relentless criticism, either for 'doing too much' or not enough. This scrutiny can lead to anxiety, regret and a persistent sense of inadequacy. Social media is a constant feedback loop; validation is fleeting, but criticism lingers. Addiction to perfection: When is enough, enough? For some, the pursuit of perfection becomes an endless cycle. 'When someone is never satisfied, no matter how many procedures they've had, it's often a sign of deeper issues,' says Sibisi. Financial freedom combined with psychological distress can lead to repeated surgeries, sometimes at the expense of both physical and mental health. "The truth is, there's no simple answer. For some, like Mbau, surgery is a form of self-expression and empowerment. For others, it can highlight vulnerabilities or societal pressures. It's a mix of an expression of confidence and control, but also a response to intense scrutiny.' The key, perhaps, is finding balance, embracing individuality while resisting the urge to chase ever-shifting ideals.
Medscape
09-05-2025
- Health
- Medscape
COPD and Rising Temperatures: Mitigating Patient Risk
For some patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), summer can be one of the most stressful times of the year. Not only is allergy season in full swing, but rising temperatures and humidity can prompt COPD flare-ups. Major changes in humidity levels can lead to worsening symptoms for those with COPD. While winter weather tends to trigger coughing and phlegm, during the summer, patients with COPD generally experience increased fatigue and shortness of breath. This is because humid air is dense and contains a higher concentration of water vapor, which, in turn, makes it more challenging to breathe. According to a 2023 survey of 36 patients, there was a significant connection between temperature and humidity and patients with COPD; high humidity contributed to worsening COPD symptoms. The connection between rising temperatures and increased shortness of breath for patients with COPD stems from the fact that hot temperatures require the body to work harder to stay cool. For example, when inhaling hot air, airways can become inflamed. This increased workload on the lungs and heart makes it difficult for patients to breathe efficiently. Heat can also contribute to dehydration, which often thickens mucus, making it more challenging for airways in the lungs to remain clear. In addition, many patients have COPD alongside asthma, both of which can be exacerbated by an increase in allergens in the air. 'As the weather gets warmer, pollen increases, too, so this makes breathing worse for COPD patients,' said Norman Edelman, MD, pulmonologist at Stony Brook University Hospital in Stony Brook, New York. Cold and flu can trigger COPD symptoms, and there is sizable evidence indicating that environmental pollution — such as smog — can irritate the lungs. 'During the summer months, there's often an increase in air pollution,' said Daniel R. Ouellette, MD, chief of pulmonary and critical care medicine at Henry Ford Health in Detroit. 'With more particulates in the air, COPD patients will experience worsening symptoms.' There can also be greater risk for heart failure among patients with COPD as higher temperatures soar. 'If your COPD is severe to begin with, and it gets worse due to some sort of offending agent, this puts a burden on the heart, and some patients can experience heart failure when their COPD is exacerbated,' Edelman said. However, the specific reason for the link between COPD flare-ups and heart failure remains unclear. 'We have seen some evidence that during heat waves, there's increased mortality among COPD patients who also have cardiovascular disease,' Ouellette said. 'This may relate to stress on the heart, and we know that respiratory issues can lead to increased mortality, but the reason why this occurs isn't completely clear.' What to Do When the Mercury Rises To avoid exacerbating warm weather symptoms, patients with COPD should spend as little time outside as possible during the hottest times of the day. Patients should also routinely check the heat index — including humidity and ozone levels — before venturing outdoors. When outside, extreme exertion should be avoided. When indoors, consider advising patients to keep their homes air-conditioned and mold- and dust mite–free, since these allergens can further irritate the lungs and worsen COPD symptoms. 'Air conditioning does two things: It ensures that you're not getting overheated, and it keeps outdoor pollutants from taxing your lungs,' Edelman said. While no studies have definitively linked improved symptoms with the use of humidifiers or air purifiers, there's no downside to using these devices if either improves airway breathing, according to Ouellette. Patients should be sure to clean and maintain these products regularly. It's also essential to drink plenty of water during the hotter months. The hotter it is outside, the more taxing temperatures are on the body, which responds by sweating and losing fluids. Finally, patients should be sure to keep track of any respiratory symptoms and utilize inhaled medications as directed by their pulmonologist. '[Patients should] always stay in touch with [their] healthcare providers,' Ouellette said. 'This is especially critical if we need to make changes to [their] medication to better handle seasonal changes.'
