Body shaming is a terrible thing. No one should be made to feel uncomfortable with their body. A serious condition called body dysmorphic disorder causes a person to become preoccupied with some aspect of their appearance of which they are extremely self-conscious even if the flaw is not real.
An equally bad body-shaming technique is to convince people that there is something wrong with revising their bodies so that they feel better about themselves. What you need to know is that it is your body. You are free to do whatever you like. It doesn’t matter what anyone thinks about your choices.
There are many reasons a person might choose to alter their appearance:
- Look younger
- Lose weight
- Feel more attractive
- Improve their career opportunities
- Overcome the bigotry of others
You have every right to control your appearance by any means and for any reason you see fit. Here are a few suggestions for how you can take control of your appearance:
Fashion
The easiest way to take control of your appearance is by using external fashion. Those 100Percent sport performance sunglasses everyone is talking about are a good start. How you dress your eyes determines the first impression you give to people. The right eyewear can make you look like a different and more confident person.
Of course, fashion encompasses your entire look. It is your watch and nose ring and hairpin and shoes and hair style and everything you choose to wear. It is not just what you wear, but the way you wear it. If you changed clothes with a world-class fashion model, they would still look like a model because the clothes don’t make them. They make the clothes. And so can you.
Cosmetic Surgery
You didn’t ask for your hair to turn white when you turned thirty. And it is not your fault that your face is lined with premature wrinkles that add 20 years to your features. There is nothing wrong with it. But there is nothing right with it, either. If you want to see a specialist to help you create a more youthful appearance, there is nothing wrong with that choice.
Premature aging can cheat you out of job opportunities and promotions. Age discrimination is a real thing. It can also limit your opportunities for dating and finding a mate. It is no different than getting cosmetic surgery to correct a cleft lip or other birth defect. Again, you don’t have to justify making an alteration to your face so that you like what you see in the mirror. Face the day with confidence even if that happens to require a little nip here, and tuck there. And if you’re thinking about enhancing your teeth, consider dropping by this reputable Dentist in Encino.
Bariatric Surgery
As of 2017, the US had a 42.4% obesity rate. That trend was on the way up. People who suffer from obesity get it from both sides: One group tells them they should do more to lose weight. Another group criticizes them for considering surgical options.
You don’t need anyone’s permission to avail yourself of surgical options for weight reduction. Your weight is not a game show for others to judge. There is a poisonous idea that suggests the only valid weight loss is the kind earned by honest, hard work, and will power. What you need to know is that weight loss and body shaping is not always a matter of will power. It is, very often, a matter of life and death. Choose life.
Sometimes, changing your look is a matter of spending a few thousand dollars on a whole new wardrobe. A new wardrobe can change the way a person walks and carries themselves. Such a simple and seemingly superficial thing can have an impact that is far greater than skin deep.
Other changes require more. You might not be able to live with a mole on your cheek and write it off as a beauty mark. If not, there are prudent ways to have it removed. Finally, when you need a complete body remodel, just know there are procedures for that. Qualified specialists can help you be your best and most confident self.
Feature photo by Hannah Nelson
