Australians are increasingly turning to cosmetic treatments, spending billions of dollars annually on procedures like Botox, fillers, and plastic surgeries. While many argue that these changes boost their self-esteem, others criticize the industry for capitalizing on unrealistic beauty standards.
A Journey to Transformation
Damian’s story is one of dramatic transformation. Weighing 216 kilograms after years of a fast-food diet, Damian found himself bedridden, unable to work or even stand for more than a few minutes. His life was a dark spiral of self-loathing and isolation.
“I hated myself back then. You wouldn’t catch me outside. I didn’t have enough self-respect or self-love—I just hated life, but I found comfort in food,” Damian shared with Insight.
In a desperate bid for change, Damian accessed his superannuation to fund the surgeries that would reshape his body and life. Despite a deep fear of doctors and hospitals, he underwent a mini-gastric bypass, a life-altering decision that set him on a new path.
The surgery resulted in a staggering weight loss of 126 kilograms, but the journey was far from over. “I went from one extreme to now having a totally new anxiety,” Damian said, referring to the excess skin that marred his confidence after the weight loss. To achieve the look he desired, Damian endured three additional plastic surgeries.
The total cost? Around $90,000—a significant portion of which came from his super fund. “The people who see me now don’t recognize me at all,” he remarked, reflecting on the drastic change.
The Struggle with Aging
Anja’s story is one of grappling with the effects of aging. At 60, she struggled with deepening wrinkles and the social anxiety that came with them. “It was very depressing to look in the mirror and see this 85-year-old face staring back at you,” she confessed.
Initially, Anja tried to accept her aging appearance, especially after moving to a farm with her husband. “Cows are not gonna care,” she joked. But the pressure of meeting new people in a new community eventually led her to seek cosmetic intervention.
Supported by her family, Anja opted for an intensive cosmetic treatment to address her wrinkles before turning 70. The procedure, which cost nearly $13,000, was more painful and time-consuming than anticipated, but it gave her the confidence boost she sought. “I feel so much better now,” she said, brushing off critics who pointed out she still had wrinkles. “You don’t know how I felt before.”
To celebrate her milestone birthday, Anja’s son Richard even paid for additional Botox and fillers, further enhancing her appearance.
A Nation Obsessed
Anja and Damian’s stories are not unique. According to a survey by financial comparison site Finder, Australians are spending more on their appearance than ever before. The average Australian shells out $431 monthly on beauty services, amounting to a staggering $19.7 billion annually across the country.
Leading the charge in this spending spree are Botox, fillers, and plastic surgeries, followed by hair appointments, lash extensions, nail services, and skin treatments.
Erin Docherty, a beauty and health editor at Mamamia, has observed this trend firsthand. As someone who tests and writes about the latest beauty fads, she argues that the beauty industry thrives on unattainable ideals. “The perfect look doesn’t exist,” Erin said, describing the industry as a “revolving door of often unattainable trends that change from one day to the next.”
“We’re always chasing our tail for that perfect look,” she added, highlighting the relentless pursuit of beauty that many Australians find themselves in.
The Cost of Transformation
For Damian, his physical transformation has brought both confidence and complications. While he feels like a “brand new person,” the change has strained some of his relationships. “You think people would accept you no matter what, but they would say ‘you’ve changed’. They don’t change with you and accept the new you,” Damian reflected.
Now, Damian admits to being “addicted to Botox” and regularly uses fillers to further define his jawline—a testament to the ongoing quest for perfection that continues even after achieving a significant transformation.
