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Regarding the article by Ringel¹ that appeared in the April 1998 issue of the ARCHIVES, cosmetic enhancement was never meant to be considered as "treatment for disease"; nor do I think that someone's desire for it need be based on psychopathologic motives. Rather, I think that the primary stimulus is social. If we lived isolated in caves, there would be no impetus for any of us to want to have cosmetic enhancement. However, as long as we live as social beings amid other people, it seems to me that it is only common sense to want to present ourselves in a way that will give us the most friendly and caring response from others.

For example, the male patient seeking hair transplantation for balding on the crown of his head should not be labeled pejoratively as having "body dysmorphic syndrome."¹ The crown of his head is a part of his . . . [Full Text of this Article]

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