Recently the media has been awash with the message that ‘thin is in’ which echoes back to the ‘heroin chic’ aesthetic of the 1990’s. This is a far cry from the ideal shape of the last decade in which ‘big boobs and big butts’ were popularised by Kim Kardashian. Society has always been obsessed with the ‘perfect’ body however it’s an ever-changing ideal. When trying to attain this ideal, the food we eat becomes a priority. We don’t have to look very far to get help as diet[...]
Cosmetic surgery can give your body-image a boost and increase your quality of life. Sounds tempting, so what’s the catch? It all depends on your psychological readiness for surgery. Assess yours by asking these 5 questions: 1. Have I considered the risks of the operation? All procedures carry risks and these range in severity. Anaesthesia-related complications can result in death. Although this is a low risk, it can happen. Poor cosmetic outcomes are a possibility, and you may look wor[...]
How Body Image Develops We begin learning about what we look like from a young age. We collect feedback from family and peers about our appearance. As we go through the lifespan the breadth of feedback increases to include views on: cultural body norms, ideal bodies, sexual attractiveness, age-related changes, disability, illness, what is an acceptable/unacceptable body, thinness, fatness, femininity, masculinity. Impact of Body Image Body image can have a profound effect on an ind[...]
You’d be forgiven for thinking that cosmetic surgery is a quick fix. After all, everyone’s having it done, right? It’s become the norm, in part, due to our celebrity culture. However, surgery is not something to be taken lightly, going under the knife to alter one’s appearance poses risks to physical health, finances, and emotional and psychological wellbeing. I made a fairly impulsive decision at age twenty to undergo a rhinoplasty which left me with a less than desirabl[...]
Let’s be honest, when scrolling through social media who hasn’t paused for a moment to compare and despair? We’re faced with more bodies and faces on a daily basis than people pre-internet would have seen in their lifetimes. It’s pretty normal to try and find out where we fit in the pecking order. Then there are the days that no matter what we wear or how much make-up we apply we feel less than attractive. But when does a normal concern with our appearance become a ment[...]