‘Spent this money on fixing my face’: Rhea Chakraborty on beauty pressure at 17

At just 17 or 18 years old, Rhea Chakraborty, now known for her role in The Traitors, became financially independent and earned around Rs 3 lakh as an MTV VJ. She admitted to spending a portion of her earnings on cosmetic procedures to improve her appearance. "Spent this money on fixing my face," she told comedian Tanmay Bhat. The actor faced pressures to conform to beauty standards during her early career, with Rhea recalling how only good-looking individuals were allowed to speak.

Dr Sunil Kumar Prabhu, a Consultant Dermatologist and Aesthetic Physician at Aster RV Hospital, notes that the number of young people seeking cosmetic consultations has risen significantly in recent years, influenced by social media, beauty filters, and changing beauty standards. While many seek help for genuine concerns like acne and acne scars, requests for aesthetic procedures have also increased.

Procedures such as facial contouring, lip enhancement, jawline definition, and skin tightening are becoming more common. Dr Prabhu advises young people to prioritize basic skin health before considering cosmetic interventions, as face structures continue to mature and procedures can carry risks like infection, scarring, asymmetry, and dissatisfaction with results.