Two new tools to measure attitude towards cosmetic procedures
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As non-surgical cosmetic procedures grow in popularity, accessibility and affordability, new Griffith University research has created two new measures to assess people's attitudes and motivations toward cosmetic procedures.
In 2024, more than 20 million non-surgical procedures were conducted globally, which was 8.5 million more than the yearly total in 2015.
Ph.D. Candidate from Griffith's School of Applied Psychology, Grace Barker, said the two new measures were needed as non-surgical treatments had become much more common, and attitudes toward them may differ from attitudes toward surgery.
"Additionally, non-surgical procedures may involve different perceptions of risk, reversibility, accessibility and normalization," Miss Barker said.
"By measuring these attitudes separately, the study aimed to better understand how people think and feel about each type of cosmetic procedure, both surgical and non-surgical."
The study investigated surgical cosmetic procedures such as rhinoplasty, breast augmentation and face lifts, and also non-surgical procedures where the skin may be pierced rather than cut, such as botox and filler injections.
The paper "Cosmetic procedure attitudes scale (CPAS): Development and validation" has been published in Body Image.
The assessment tool measured attitudes, which were formed by beliefs and evaluations toward an object, behavior or person.
The tool comprised intrapersonal considerations including self-esteem and confidence, plus interpersonal considerations such as forming bonds with others, and finally consideration of risk, cost and pain.
Co-author of the paper, Dr. Veya Seekis, said the study involved 723 individuals identifying as women from Australia and internationally.
"Women were selected as the focus of the study because they are disproportionately exposed to appearance-related messaging across social and digital media environments," Dr. Seekis said.
"This is influenced by systemic pressures, societal expectations, and gendered appearance norms.
"Women also comprise the majority of cosmetic procedure patients globally, with the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery estimating 84% of surgical and non-surgical procedure patients identify as women."
Co-author, Professor Caroline Donovan, hoped the two new measures would help researchers gain a clearer and more detailed understanding of people's attitudes toward cosmetic procedures as well as social factors which could shape and influence attitudes over time.
"Importantly, the scale focuses on an individual's own views rather than broad or generalized opinions, allowing for a better understanding of personal differences," she said.
"This improved insight may also support the development of more targeted prevention and intervention efforts, particularly for individuals who may be more vulnerable to appearance-related distress such as complex body image concerns of psychological conditions such as body dysmorphic disorder."
More information
Grace Barker et al, Cosmetic procedure attitudes scale (CPAS): Development and validation, Body Image (2026). DOI: 10.1016/j.bodyim.2026.102051
Key medical concepts
RhinoplastyAugmentation MammoplastyBody Dysmorphic Disorders
Clinical categories
Psychology & Mental healthPsychiatryWomen's health Provided by Griffith University Who's behind this story?
Sadie Harley
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