Plastic Surgery’s New Normal

Yo, Ireland’s 15-34 squad what’s the craic? You’re out there slaying Dublin’s O’Connell Street with style, sipping lattes in Galway’s coffee joints, or hustling in Limerick with that second-gen flair. Born between the late ‘90s and early 2000s, you’re Gen Z and young millennials, and you’re flipping the script on plastic surgery. Back in the day, even a nose lift for medical reasons was a scandal – people whispered “vain” like it was a curse. But now? The latest buzz from the likes of Kylie Jenner shows your generation’s cool with it, shouting details from the rooftops. In Ireland, influencers and public faces are obsessed with their look too, though second-gen youth might vibe with it less.

So, what’s the deal? The New York Times dropped a bombshell on June 10, 2025, spilling how Kylie Jenner’s owning her plastic surgery journey – breast augmentation, doc’s name, and all, shared with a casual “lol” on TikTok. She’s not hiding 445cc silicone implants or her surgeon, Dr. Garth Fisher, like it’s no biggie. This is Gen Z and younger millennials (15-34) saying, “Yeah, we’re doing this,” flipping the old Pygmalion tale where art mimicked life – now, they’re sculpting themselves. Back in the ‘80s or ‘90s, a medical nose job in Ireland would’ve had the neighbours clutching pearls, calling it extreme vanity. Today? Your crew’s like, “If it works, it works.”

Why the change? Growing up with Insta and filters, you’ve seen perfection curated daily – why not make it real? The article hints at a post-human world where tech and choice blur lines, and Ireland’s no stranger. Influencers like Roz Purcell or James Patrice are flexing flawless looks, often hinting at tweaks – fillers, Botox, you name it. On RTÉ or Virgin Media, presenters rock polished vibes, and even local celebs in Galway’s arts scene are chasing that glow. For you 15-34-year-olds, it’s less taboo, more toolkit – enhance what you’ve got. But for second-gen kids – say, Nigerian-Irish in Tallaght or Serbian-Irish in Westmeath – cultural roots might slow the roll. Your parents fled war or hardship, valuing survival over selfies, so you might lean less into the scalpel.

In Ireland, this trend’s hitting SMEs and media hard. The research on Gen Z’s “conscious unbossing” (yep, we’ve covered that) shows you want flexibility, but appearance still matters. A Limerick barista might skip management stress but still contour like a pro for Insta. The New York Times piece notes Kris and Kylie Jenner turning surgeons into luxury brands – Dr. Steven Levine, Dr. Garth Fisher – mirroring how Irish influencers plug skincare or clinics. On Grafton Street, you see second-gen teens – maybe Syrian-Irish or Indian-Irish -rocking natural glows, blending heritage pride with modern trends, but not always rushing to tweak. Your dual identity – Irish swagger plus parental grit – adds a twist.

Past generations judged hard. A nose lift in the ‘70s, even for breathing issues, was hush-hush. Now, it’s mainstream, with clinics popping up from Waterford to Sligo. The article’s take on reversing time (Dorian Gray vibes) resonates – your 15-34 crew sees surgery as empowerment, not shame. But second-gen youth might pause. Your parents’ journey – fleeing with no return, retraining – grounds you, making you pickier about going under the knife.

Why EqualityWorx Is Here for This Vibe

EqualityWorx is your crew, 15-34 fam, lifting your voice. This plastic surgery shift fits your world – choice over judgment, self-expression over stigma. Your parents’ hustle – leaving everything, rebuilding – deserves respect, and you’re navigating that legacy.  We’re pushing for that, ensuring brands and screens reflect you, not just old-school norms. Your TV licence should fund shows with your diversity, not just polished presenters.

This is personal. You’re living it. Maybe you’re the Pakistani-Irish teen in Limerick contouring for TikTok, or the Brazilian-Irish worker in Kilkenny skipping surgery for dance.

Your Voice, Your Glow

You’ve got power – when you vibe with a look, you’re the trendsetter. Whether it’s hyping a Drogheda stall on X or rallying on Grafton Street, your voice moves mountains. You juggle cultures, your parents’ grit, and that’s your edge. This is about rewriting Ireland’s beauty story. If media and culture see your 15-34 take – surgery as choice, not shame – they’ll have to step up. Maybe a party pushes youth hubs with your flair, or Penneys co-designs with you, blending Celtic and African prints. It starts at equalityworx.com/submit. Drop a 300-500-word piece – your style, your story – tag @EqualityWorx with #EqualityWorxVibe, and let’s build a Ireland that sees you. ✊🌍