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Learning How to Spot Unattainable or Unhealthy Beauty Standards

Updated: Apr 16



The constantly evolving, commercialised nature of beauty standards has propagated an insidious culture of having to conform to a set of constructs to feel “accepted” by society. Detrimental impacts often accompany these standards on one's mental and physical well-being. Therefore, it is essential that we remain wary of the unattainable or unhealthy beauty standards presented in our media-saturated world and learn to avoid them. 


Historically, beauty standards emerged from various societal trends, cultural norms, and political and economic shifts. From the ancient Greeks, the Victorian era, and the post-war years to modern times, ideal beauty standards have remained firmly anchored while simultaneously changing. With the new force of social media, the pressure to conform to certain unrealistic standards has become increasingly common. One’s quest for peer approval and validation can lead to the internalisation of these unhealthy ideals, resulting in harmful consequences like decreased self-esteem, disordered eating, body dysmorphia, and even anxiety and depression. 

We can recognise and avoid the portrayal of unhealthy standards in our media by taking a few steps: 


  1. Asking questions 

The media that informs these harmful beauty standards is often replete with images and videos edited to perfection. Features can be warped, airbrushed, and photoshopped. On top of that, published media is usually carefully curated by experts in make-up, fashion, photography, lighting, and several other aspects to create an unattainable, desirable spread that markets its product effectively. It is important that we question: What is this image or magazine trying to sell us? What is the creator’s aim? Is this image really a reflection of reality? By understanding that most of the beauty standards and materials we are exposed to are produced by an extensive, dedicated team, we realise that some of these ideals, like poreless skin, aren’t achievable after all. 


  1. Refreshing your social media feed 

The content we consume on social media exposes us to unhealthy beauty standards. Therefore, monitoring the accounts we follow or engage with and asking whether they contribute to your well-being is useful. Do they bring you joy, or do they make you feel bad about yourself in comparison? If an account makes you feel discontented with your appearance or promotes a negative self-image, it’s best to unfollow it. By taking charge of our social media diet, we can eliminate the sources that perpetuate unrealistic ideals and surround ourselves with diverse representations of beauty that cultivate inclusiveness. 


  1. Practising self-compassion 

Being kind to yourself and practising self-care can be a pillar of support while navigating unhealthy societal beauty standards. Like an uplifting social media feed, finding a group of peers that value individuality can also contribute to prioritising authenticity rather than homogeneity.  

While superficial beauty standards continue to pervade our culture, we must remain cautious of their presence in the media we consume to negate their potential risks and remind ourselves to treasure our unique qualities.


Written by: Sangeetha


04/2024


References

Aparicio-Martínez, P., Perea-Moreno, A., Redel-Macías, M. D., Pagliari, C., & Vaquero-Abellán, M. (2019). Social Media, Thin-Ideal, Body Dissatisfaction and Disordered Eating Attitudes: An Exploratory analysis. International Journal of Environmental  Research and Public Health/International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(21), 4177. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16214177 


Body Size Diversity and Acceptance | University of Illinois Counseling Center. (n.d.). https://counselingcenter.illinois.edu/brochures/body-size-diversity-and-acceptance 


Foy, C., & Foy, C. (2023, June 9). Unrealistic beauty standards, mental health, and their Eye-Catching relationship. FHE Health. https://fherehab.com/learning/beauty-standards-mental-health#:~:text=Negative%20body%20image%20can%20lead,isolation%20and%20low%20self%2Desteem. 



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