Problematic Aesthetic Procedure Seeking Behaviour: A Review of Body Dysmorphic Symptoms, Emotional Regulation, and Compulsive Patterns

Abstract

The exponential growth of the aesthetic medical industry has precipitated a parallel increase in patients presenting with problematic cosmetic procedure seeking (PCPS). While aesthetic interventions generally yield high satisfaction rates for the normative population, a discernible subset of patients engages in a relentless, maladaptive pursuit of physical alteration. This narrative review synthesises current literature to examine the triadic relationship between body dysmorphic symptoms, emotion dysregulation, and compulsive behavioural patterns in the context of PCPS. We explore how perceived physical defects are often somatic manifestations of underlying affective distress; wherein cosmetic interventions are erroneously utilised as an externalising coping mechanism for internal emotional dysregulation. Furthermore, we conceptualise repeated procedure seeking through the lens of the obsessive-compulsive spectrum, highlighting the transient nature of postoperative relief and the cyclical escalation of interventions. By delineating these psychological underpinnings, this review underscores the critical need for integrated psychiatric screening within aesthetic practice and advocates for a paradigm shift from purely surgical or dermatological solutions towards comprehensive, multidisciplinary patient care.