Alex Kuzynski investigates America's beauty junkies

by Jenny Kirkpatrick '11

Friday November 30, 2007

The Science, Technology and Society program along with the Environmental Studies program hosted their 2nd Colloquium on Disturbed Terrain: Environmental Design in the 21st Century with New York Times contributing writer Alex Kuczynski. Kuczynski, who recently published Beauty Junkies, an in depth look at plastic surgery, has also written for Harper’s Bazaar, Allure, Vanity Fair, and is a regular in Manhattan society gossip columns.

Kuczynski first became interested in the topic of plastic surgery when writing an article about Botulinum Toxin A, commonly known as Botox. Soon after the article was published in the Times, Kuczynski herself began to dabble in Botox. She has since gotten upper eyelid surgery and liposuction on her hips, thighs, and buttocks.

Regarding her reasoning behind writing the book, which has now been transferred into eight languages, she said, “I felt like there wasn’t a book that was like Fast Food Nation about plastic surgery.” However, Kuczynski is quick to admit her mixed feelings on the subject.“I am not against cosmetic surgery because I do believe it gave me some pleasure.”

Since 1997, there has been a 444% increase on the total number of plastic surgery procedures. Kuczynski blames this drastic jump partly on the “pornification” of western culture.

In addition, Kuczynski added that “part of the reason plastic surgery is so popular is because [America] is fat.”

While researching the book, Kuczynski accompanied a group of women on a “surgery safari” to Johannesburg, South Africa. This type of expedition is becoming increasingly common for American women because the surgery is much less expensive and recovery includes a safari.

Kuczynski also accompanied a group of male plastic surgeons to a topless bar, where she encouraged them to rate women’s breasts. This excursion, however, did not make it to publication.

“I didn’t want to make anyone too angry with me,” Kuczynski laughed.

Kuczynski closed the lecture with a final word of advice to those Sarah Lawrence students considering plastic surgery in the future.

“Choose a doctor who is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgeons.”