one only has to read the daily papers to acknowledge the numerous unnecessary cosmetic operations which have resulted in permanent disfigurement.

Does this make sense?

people begin to change their perception of a physical to a mental one. Does this make sense?

Of or from a mental one?

The first one doesn't make sense to me. I read newspapers and I don't know anything about cosmetic operations.

The second one makes no sense either. What does it mean?

Does it make sense!!!

Yes, the statement makes sense. It suggests that reading daily newspapers is enough to understand or recognize the many instances of cosmetic surgeries that were unnecessary and have caused permanent disfigurement. The implication is that there are a significant number of such cases, which the newspapers report on regularly.