| Abstract: |
Cosmetic treatments have witnessed an unprecedented surge in global demand, yet the psychological ramifications of such interventions remain incompletely understood. This empirical study investigates the impact of elective cosmetic procedures on patients' mental health and quality of life (QoL) through a mixed-methods, longitudinal design involving 200 participants recruited from five dermatology and aesthetic clinics across India. Standardized psychometric instruments namely the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21), the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), and the WHOQOL-BREF were administered at baseline (T0), three months post-procedure (T1), and twelve months post-procedure (T2). Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses revealed significant reductions in depression (mean Δ = −5.82, p < 0.001), anxiety (mean Δ = −6.14, p < 0.001), and stress (mean Δ = −5.37, p < 0.001) scores from baseline to T2. Self-esteem demonstrated a robust increase (mean Δ = +4.91, p < 0.001), while all four WHOQOL-BREF domains physical, psychological, social, and environmental showed statistically significant improvements (p < 0.01). Pearson correlation analysis established strong positive associations between treatment satisfaction and improvements in both mental health (r = 0.68) and QoL (r = 0.72). However, subgroup analysis identified a minority cohort (14.5%) exhibiting post-procedural psychological deterioration, underscoring the necessity of pre-treatment psychological screening. The findings affirm that cosmetic interventions can serve as powerful catalysts for psychological well-being, yet caution against universal application without individualized mental health assessment. These results carry significant implications for clinical practice, patient counseling protocols, and healthcare policy formulation. |
