Dale-Saint Cullen, a 31-year-old from Chester-Le-Street, County Durham in England, has spent over $46,300 on various cosmetic procedures abroad in pursuit of the “Instagram filter” look. Starting with a nose job in November 2019, Dale has since undergone a series of procedures in Poland and Turkey, including a chin implant, liposuction, jaw reconstruction, a full hair transplant, teeth crowning, and full body contouring. His journey has taken him on 10 trips abroad totaling 24,000 miles, with flights alone costing $3,900.
Though Dale loves his new look and has no regrets about the surgeries, he wants to caution others about the dangers of social media and the impact it can have on self-esteem. Following a body dysphoria diagnosis in May 2022, Dale realized that the look he was chasing was “fake,” and that social media can leave others feeling worse off. Despite vowing not to undergo further procedures, Dale fears that the urge to change his appearance may never fully leave him.
Having struggled with low self-esteem and feelings of unhappiness about his appearance, Dale was compelled to change his nose in 2019 through a rhinoplasty in Poland. This initial surgery sparked an addiction to cosmetic procedures as Dale sought further enhancements to his chin, teeth, lips, and jaw. Each surgery brought a sense of euphoria and excitement, as he chased trends and sought to keep up with social media’s standards of perfection.
Over the years, Dale underwent multiple surgeries including chin and jaw reconstruction, closed rhinoplasty, forehead rejuvenation, zygomatic remodeling, and lip augmentation. The most transformative procedures included full body contouring, Vaser liposuction, and a full hair transplant. Despite being initially pleased with his results, a hair transplant experience shook Dale and made him question the impact of his cosmetic journey.
Despite spending significant time, money, and energy on his quest for perfection, Dale now acknowledges that he may never achieve the ideal image he sought. He advises others to research thoroughly, ensure they are pursuing procedures for the right reasons, and to prioritize their mental well-being over external appearances. While Dale still struggles with lingering insecurities and the temptation to undergo further surgeries, he is working with a therapist to focus on self-improvement and ensure that any future enhancements are done for his own benefit.
In total, Dale has spent $46,335.30 on various procedures including open and closed rhinoplasty, teeth crowning, forehead rejuvenation, hair transplant, chin reconstruction, zygomatic remodeling, lip augmentation, and body contouring. Despite the financial cost and physical toll of these surgeries, Dale’s journey serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of chasing unrealistic beauty standards fueled by social media. He now hopes to raise awareness about the realities of cosmetic procedures and the importance of self-acceptance and self-care.
