Population aging has generated an increasing number of potential consumers for
cosmetic surgery, the majority of whom are women. To date, litîle research has examined
women's experiences with facial cosmetic surgery. This study draws upon findings from
a qualitative study about facial cosmetic surgery arnong 10 women (ages 23-73) living in
Manitoba, Canada. In-depth interviews were conducted to explore the personal, social,
cultural and econornic influences on women's decision-making processes to have facial
cosmetic surgery. Thematically both individual factors and social forces were found to
influence women's decisions. At the level of the individuai, decision justification, selfidentity,
agency and choice were identified as key themes. These individual factors,
however, were clearly integrated into both society's negative evaluation of age-related
changes in women, and cultural images of beauty. As well, social forces such as the role
of the medical profession, and the influences of social relationships and cultural images
of beauty and aging were strongly implicated in women's decision-making processes.
These women's accounts of facial cosmetic surgery allow for issues sumounding
women's bodies to be addressed, and they iliustrate the interconnections between
individual agency and social structure. This study contributes to a greater understanding
of women's involvement with facial cosmetic surgery. It also provides insights for the
sociology of the body through the use of three dominant perspectives- the naturalistic,
social constructionist and phenomenologica, thereby highlighting the significance of
embodied social action.