New Delhi: First impression may well be the last. And who knows this better than Delhi University aspirants. Even before the varsity's first cut-off list is announced,
fuchchas are queuing up for a makeover, thanks to a variety of cosmetic styles on offer.
Priorities are fast changing from the quality of education to quality of dates you get and for that, a corrective surgery is a small price to pay.
College girls are settling for the Carrie Bradshaw, Megan Fox, Miley Cyrus look. Or closer home, trying to ape a Priyanka Chopra or a Katrina Kaif.
After all, it's all boils down to winning them over on freshers' day.
Seventeen-year-old Srishti Singh, who just finished her Boards, is all geared up for the next phase of life. And for this, she didn't mind going under the knife."I adore Katrina Kaif and am awe-struck by her beauty. I just love her nose and got mine corrected to look like her. Male attention won't be difficult now," she says blinking her eyes.
Doctors agree. "I do get teenage girls as clients. They come for nose correction, liposuction and scar revision in order to look perfect when they join college," said Dr Rohit Nayyar, Batra Hospital.
The race for being Miss Fresher has got some girls to try out every possible look. The school uniform that looked cute on the baby-fat form is now being replaced by designer wear for a slender appeal.
"Clients these days are getting more and more conscious about their appearance. And the trend of cosmetic surgery is changing dramatically. Almost 70 per cent of our clients are between the age group of 19 to 23," explains Sunil Choudhary, director, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Plastic Surgery, Max Hospital.
Beauty is not just for the fairer sex. Gen-Y men are vain too. From hour-long sessions in salons to painful surgeries to sporting a ridiculously costly bike, guys want it all.
Shashank, a DU aspirant, just got his jaw line corrected and breast reduction done for the perfect-picture look.
"I have good looks and a great body, but always felt my jaw line and breasts ruin my over-all appearance. So I got them surgically corrected, as I didn't want to join college looking like any Tom, Dick or Harry."
For 21-year-old Sumit Sharma, going for a cosmetic surgery was more about not being seen as an object of ridicule. "I went for male breast reduction because in my schooldays my friends would often make fun of me, saying I had girlie breasts. So I didn't want to share the same harrowing experience in college as well."
"Today it has become important to look smart and be in shape. Therefore a trend can be seen among men going for corrective surgery. Lot of queries come from teenagers and that includes a good number of boys. Nose surgery and liposuction are the most sought-after corrective surgeries among young Delhiites," said Datinderjeet Singh Tulla, consultant, Dr BL Kapur Memorial Hospital.
Few parents also support this to boost the confidence levels in their kids. "I was alright with the fact that my son went for a surgery, as it boosted his morale, which he lacked in his school days," said Sumit's father.
"More and more teenagers are turning to cosmetic surgery because of westernization. Making an impression on others is important for a teenager. Due to peer pressure, the youth is forced to wear a certain look. Sometimes, their studies are hampered because of this obsession with the physical self," said Dr Dheranera Kumar, PSYINDIA Foundation, which deals in psychological issues related to children and adults and also does career counseling.