Today in Focus Cosmetic surgery The pressure to change your face - podcast Guardian US beauty columnist Jessica DeFino explores the rise of ‘tweakments’ and cosmetic procedures – and the pressure it puts on everyone to get something done
More ways to listen Apple podcasts Spotify RSS Feed Download Presented by Helen Pidd with Jessica DeFino ; produced by Eleanor Biggs and Brian McNamara ; executive producer Sami Kent Fri 31 Jul 2026 04.00 CEST Share Aesthetic inflation. That’s what Jessica DeFino calls the rise in “tweakments”, minor procedures and even more extreme operations – lowering the barrier for people to get some kind of cosmetic treatment, and increasing the pressure on those who don’t.
Helen Pidd discusses with the Guardian US beauty columnist what these procedures entail – from blepharoplasties to tip stitches to botox – and why they are on the increase, and among younger and younger women too.
How, asks Helen , can we navigate this new world – resisting the pull of the knife if we want to, without judging those who go under?