Is the needle as risky as the knife? The prevalence and risks of body dysmorphic disorder in women undertaking minor cosmetic procedures.

Abstract

Body dysmorphic disorder is commonly considered a contraindication for major cosmetic surgery, but whether body dysmorphic disorder relates to poorer outcomes from minor cosmetic treatment remains unknown. This study aimed to explore the prevalence of body dysmorphic disorder in clients seeking non-surgical cosmetic procedures and to examine whether body dysmorphic disorder clients are vulnerable in minor cosmetic settings. Vulnerability was explored in terms of psychological distress, unrealistic expectations and motivations for treatment outcome, and reduced satisfaction with past cosmetic procedures. A cross-sectional online survey was completed by 154 women seeking minor cosmetic procedures which included the Body Dysmorphic Disorder Questionnaire - Dermatology Version to screen for body dysmorphic disorder, and measures of cosmetic treatment motivation, expectations and satisfaction. Roughly 25% of women in the current sample screened positive for a potential body dysmorphic disorder diagnosis. Participants with suspected body dysmorphic disorder demonstrated higher levels of psychological distress and more unrealistic expectations and motivations for cosmetic treatment, such as improving social or romantic relationships. However, body dysmorphic disorder participants reported similar levels of satisfaction with past minor cosmetic treatments to the non-body dysmorphic disorder group. While the relationship between body dysmorphic disorder and treatment outcome warrants further investigation in prospective research tracking satisfaction and adverse reactions over time, this preliminary evidence suggests clients with suspected body dysmorphic disorder display several vulnerabilities in non-surgical cosmetic settings. Given the rapidly increasing accessibility of minor cosmetic procedures, further research is needed to determine their safety for clients with body dysmorphic disorder. Detection of body dysmorphic disorder in non-surgical cosmetic settings could facilitate earlier psychological intervention, promoting superior long-term outcomes.