Redefining Beauty: The Urgent Need to Break Unrealistic Standards
As I browsed through fashion and beauty magazines in recent days, my heart grew heavy. I contemplated the challenges faced by dysmorphic girls in today’s beauty world. They are constantly bombarded with airbrushed images on social media, showcasing women adorned with fillers, Botox, and reconstructive face surgeries. But what troubles me, even more, is the emergence of an unsettling trend: the celebration of women who exist solely in the realm of fantasy, positioned as the new standard of beauty (like AI women, OnlyFans women, etc.).
For instance, the rise in popularity of virtual influencers, such as Lil Miquela, has pushed the boundaries of what is considered beautiful and acceptable, creating a false image of beauty that is unattainable for most. This trend is damaging to real women and can lead to unrealistic expectations, negatively impacting mental health and self-esteem. It can also lead to a dangerous fixation on physical appearance, instead of focusing on inner beauty and strength.
Now, let me be clear: I firmly believe in living a healthy lifestyle, nurturing our natural beauty, and exercising (which I try to do every day). However, it is not possible for me to stand by and accept these over-manipulated, virtually unreal VS Angel-like figures as the widely accepted definition of beauty. For instance, I recently saw a prominent beauty blogger promoting a product for ‘reshaping your nose’ that was clearly photo-shopped in the advertisement. This is not a healthy or realistic definition of beauty.
We live in a world where many people are driven by the need to be accepted and admired, which is why they often resort to extreme measures to achieve a certain look that is perceived as “ideal”. This puts immense pressure on those who cannot afford or do not want to conform to this standard, and it leads to feelings of insecurity and low self-esteem.
In 2021, a survey study by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons showed that nearly half of all patients reported social media played a role in their decision to seek plastic surgery. While it’s true that social media can play a role in someone’s decision to get plastic surgery, it’s not the only factor. Other factors can include pressure from family or friends, a desire to look like a celebrity, or simply a desire to improve one’s appearance.
Please understand that I am not here to pass judgment on anyone. I am confident in my own beauty and embrace the unique qualities of my own figure. However, we cannot ignore the detrimental impact that the internet, and especially AI has and will have on young girls’ body image and self-esteem. Introducing yet another unattainable expectation only serves to deepen this tragedy. AI and the internet are often used to promote unrealistic body types that are often impossible to achieve, leading young girls to feel inadequate and ashamed of their own bodies. This can lead to extreme dieting or even eating disorders that can have long-term negative effects on their health and overall well-being.
For example, the trend of “thigh gap” has been heavily promoted by social media influencers, encouraging young women to strive for an unrealistic body type that cannot be achieved without potentially severe health consequences. However, not all social media influencers promote unhealthy body types. There are many influencers who promote healthy body types and realistic goals. For example, some influencers promote “fit over skinny” or “health over beauty” like Brittany Martinez (@brittanymartinez25), Emily Skye (@emilyskyefit), Ingrid Nilsen (@ingridnilsen), etc. This helps to provide a more balanced view of what is considered beautiful and helps to promote a healthier standard for young women to aspire to.
Let me emphasize that I am not opposed to the beauty industry’s progress. In fact, it is my fascination with this field that has led me to express my concerns today. I feel compelled to address the peculiar trend of transforming human beings into Bratz doll replicas. The truth is, these transformations often fall short of satisfaction unless one has access to the top 0.1% of skilled surgeons and injectors. This leaves the vast majority of people exposed to a high risk of subpar results. Furthermore, the repercussions of such results can range from minor disappointments to life-long physical and psychological issues. There are, of course, many who are satisfied with their results. And while it is true that there are risks involved, these are risks that people are willing to take in order to achieve their desired look.
For instance, individuals may be willing to risk the possibility of asymmetry or scarring in exchange for the potential of a more aesthetically pleasing appearance. Additionally, they may choose to undergo liposuction to remove stubborn fat areas, yet this procedure carries potential complications, including infection and permanent nerve damage. The risk-reward balance of undergoing cosmetic surgery is similar to playing the stock market. You may receive a nice return on your investment, but there is always the chance that you could lose it all.
In this ever-evolving landscape of beauty standards, we must confront the profound impact it has on women’s hearts and minds. It is time to champion a more compassionate approach — one that celebrates genuine self-acceptance and rejects illusory norms that fail to acknowledge our inherent uniqueness and the natural beauty passed down to us from our ancestors. I think we should look above those unrealistic expectations and redefine beauty on our own terms. And embrace our authentic selves, our undeniable beauty that stems from our rich heritage and individuality.
“Inherent beauty” refers to the idea that everyone has their own unique beauty that comes from within. It is not only based on external factors such as makeup, clothes, or hairstyles. This type of beauty is not only dependent on trendy plastic surgeries or others’ opinions. It also comes from self-acceptance and appreciation of one’s own unique traits and beauty, which are inherited from our ancestors’ features. It is a beauty that is timeless, and it is something that we should all strive for. However, some people may not feel comfortable in their own skin and may need a little help to feel beautiful. Makeup, clothes, and hairstyles can be a way to express yourself and can make you feel more confident without the need to undergo heavy plastic surgeries, although minor procedures may be considered if deemed necessary. There is nothing wrong with using these things to help you feel more comfortable about yourself.
Closing Thoughts
Everyone should be allowed to express themselves freely, in whatever way makes them feel most confident. However, we should always remember that true beauty comes from within and that we must strive to be our best selves before anything else, as that will naturally reflect in our outward appearance. As the famous Italian actress Sophia Loren once said: “Beauty is how you feel inside, and it reflects in your eyes. It is not something physical.”
We can also say that “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder” or, in this case, “Beauty is in the AI of the beholder” as beauty is not limited to physical characteristics. As a result, it emphasizes the importance of inner beauty and personal perception, as beauty is subjective and can be perceived differently by each individual or even by artificial intelligence. Artificial Intelligence can analyze a person’s physical traits but it cannot account for or understand intangible qualities such as character, personality, kindness, and intellect which are all vital aspects of beauty. This is similar to a painting which can be subjectively judged for its beauty. Although AI can analyze the brush strokes and color combinations, only a human can truly appreciate the emotions and story that the painting conveys. Thus, beauty can still be seen as subjective and unique to each individual, including AI.
