Standards Of Beauty Research Articles

Nurturing Youth: Ethical Considerations in Pediatric Skincare Marketing.

In today's beauty-obsessed culture, children are increasingly targeted by skincare marketing, raising significant ethical concerns. The trend of children adopting skincare routines focused on anti-aging and skin lightening impacts their mental health and self-esteem, often imposing unattainable beauty standards. Marketing practices in the digital age frequently violate the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Framework for Responsible Marketing Communication. Disparities in skincare marketing particularly affect children in low- and middle-income countries. There is an urgent need for stringent regulations, enhanced media literacy education, and ethical marketing practices to safeguard young consumers and prioritize their well-being and dignity.

ASSOCIATION BETWEEN DISORDERED EATING BEHAVIOURS AND SOCIAL MEDIA USAGE IN YOUNG ADULTS A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY

Background: Disordered eating behaviours(DEB) have increased significantly in recent times, especially among young adults. These behaviours are the result of several variables, including conventional beauty ideals. Social media plays a significant role by popularizing unrealistic beauty standards. The correlation between DEB and the use of social media has not been adequately explored in young adults. Methodology: Data from engineering students (n = 690 mean age = 19.5) was collected. Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26) was used to determine DEB and social media disorder (SMD) scale was used to determine disordered social media usage. Chi-square test was applied to find the association between DEB and problematic usage of social media. Results: Out of 690 sample size, 53.6 % of the sample were female and 46.4% were male. DEB were reported by 44.2% of which 15.2% were female and 29.0% were male with dieting being the most common disordered eating behavior. A total of 31.9% reported problematic or disordered social media usage of which 15.2% were female and 16.7% were male. A Significant association was found between DEB and disordered social media usage with p value=0.000 and ᵡ² value= 15.06. A Significant association was also found between DEB and male sex with p value=0.000 and ᵡ² value= 16.2. Conclusion: The results of this study point to a correlation between DEB and problematic usage of social media in young adults.

Knowledge, Prevalence and Determinants of the Use of Skin-Lightening Creams among University Undergraduates in Babcock University

The quest for lighter skin has become a dangerous obsession fueled by societal beauty standards and cultural norms. The purpose of this study was to analyze the inspiration prompting the use of these products among undergraduate students using descriptive research surveys. This study examined the knowledge, prevalence and determinant of the use of skin lightening creams among three hundred and thirty (330) undergraduates of Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo. through a simple random sampling technique using self-structured questionnaires. Data was collected with the use of SPSS and frequency count. Pearson correlation was used to draw conclusions on the hypothesized statement of study. The researcher found a significant relationship between knowledge of skin lightening creams and its determinant of use, with over half of respondents (56.37%) agreeing that lightening creams could cause kidney failure. Treatment of hyperpigmentation was the motivating factor among 57.58% of respondents. There is therefore a need for undergraduate students to be provided with adequate education regarding the dangers of skin lightening creams and be encouraged to visit appropriate health facilities for skin disorders instead of self-meditating.

Reflections of Self: How Social Media Shapes Teen Body Image

This research explores how advances in information technology, particularly through social media, have transformed communication patterns and influenced teenagers' body image perceptions. Employing a qualitative approach, the study conducted in-depth interviews with three teenage girls aged 17-21 who are active on social media. The findings indicate that many participants experience dissatisfaction with their bodies due to comparisons with prevalent beauty standards. This aligns with social comparison theory, which suggests that individuals often evaluate their appearance by contrasting themselves with others. Social interactions on social media, including comments and likes, also play a significant role in shaping self-confidence. While the pressure to conform to unrealistic beauty ideals is a notable negative effect, some participants reported feeling motivated to pursue healthier lifestyles as a positive outcome. The study highlights the need for effective interventions aimed at educating adolescents about healthy social media use and raising awareness of its potential effects on body image.

Plastic Surgeons and Portraits Before the Invention of Photography.

The aim of this paper is to review portraits from the Renaissance to the Romantic eras, created before the invention of photography, and to discuss their usefulness to plastic surgeons. Before photography and film were invented, portraits played a critical role in documenting individuals, conveying power, and immortalizing people's appearance and identity. Portraits were not merely simple representations of a person's physical appearance; they played a crucial role in conveying the subject's inner qualities and social position, as well as the cultural values of the era. Artists often idealized or embellished certain features to align with the cultural and aesthetic ideals of their time. Portraits of the Renaissance to Romantic eras could have a significant impact on plastic surgeons' understanding of beauty and aesthetics. A plastic surgeon drawing on Renaissance ideals might prioritize symmetry and balanced facial features, which continue to be regarded as attractive in contemporary beauty standards. Beauty standards during these times favored curvaceous and lively figures, potentially inspiring modern plastic surgeons to focus on creating more dramatic or unique appearances. A plastic surgeon inspired by Romantic art might value uniqueness and avoid rigid beauty standards, focusing instead on enhancing a person's natural traits rather than conforming to a singular "ideal" appearance. Plastic surgeons could gain a richer, more classical perspective on aesthetics by studying historical art, potentially leading to more personalized and balanced outcomes. However, integrating these classical ideals into modern practice must also consider the diverse and varying definitions of beauty prevalent in today's multicultural society.

Self-Presentation, Social Media, and Beauty Standards Among Adolescents

In the age of social media, the pervasive behavior of taking and sharing selfies has garnered significant attention, prompting a deeper examination of the motivations and consequences associated with this practice. This review paper examines the current state of knowledge in understanding the psychological and social factors driving selfie behavior. Key themes emerging from the literature include self-presentation, attention-seeking, communication, and archiving, each shedding light on why individuals, especially adolescents, are drawn to capturing and sharing their self-portraits. Despite the substantial body of work, there remains a lack of research on the anxiety-inducing effects of selfie behavior, particularly in relation to social comparison and selfie editing practices. One limitation of the current research is the absence of longitudinal studies that track the long-term psychological impacts of selfie culture. These findings have important implications for developing interventions to mitigate negative psychological effects and inform future research and practice in digital media and mental health.

Revising Gerty MacDowell’s Identity and Agency: An Intersectional Feminist Disability Perspective

Gerty MacDowell’s initial, albeit brief, appearance in James Joyce’s Ulysses has sparked debates regarding her identity and agency. In the critical literature, there are interpretations that characterize Gerty as a woman and disabled person whose actions conform to patriarchal beauty standards that objectify her. This paper argues for revising such readings by applying an intersectional feminist disability perspective attuned to the interconnections between her womanhood and disability. Rather than positing Gerty’s identities as inherently conflicting, I illustrate how her disability and feminine social position co-constitute and transform one another. Her self-care practices aimed at securing a husband, though partly conforming to norms, also foster confidence and counter pervasive cultural assumptions of disabled women as ugly, useless, and asexual. Gerty’s exhibition of sexual desire and pursuit of pleasure likewise contest views of disabled women as unsuitable for romance or unable to be agentic sexual subjects. Furthermore, conceptualizing agency beyond neoliberal notions of rational autonomy acting against all constraints upholds Gerty’s agentic power. She makes strategic use of available discourses and resources to expand her precarious options given material and ideological limitations. Overall, analyzing Gerty’s intersectional experience denaturalizes the reductive models of identity and agency that have dominated Ulysses criticism. Applying fresh perspectives opens new symbolic interpretations of embodied identity and sexuality.

Confidence as capital: pageantry and social reproduction

Pageantry has historically rewarded women who pursue normative standards of beauty. With neoliberal feminism focusing on women’s empowerment, United States pageantry is marketed to women as a space that awards well-rounded competitors with scholarships and other monetary rewards. Using the frameworks of neoliberalism and embodied capital, we investigate how pageant participants conceptualize confidence in the pageant context. Through an analysis of in-depth interviews with pageant stakeholders, we conclude that participants perceive confidence as a resource gained from competing on the pageant stage and a trait that is necessary for competing in pageants. Confidence is embodied capital obtained through self-investment that helps women construct and maintain the ideal pageant femininity. However, confidence is mostly available to middle-class and wealthy women, resulting in reproduction of the class and gender systems. These findings also reveal that pageantry instills and rewards neoliberal principles and postfeminist sensibility, specifically the notion that women’s social mobility in the U.S. is connected to individual effort and investment through capitalism. As such, the values of pageantry overlook systemic barriers to achievement for marginalized women.

TRANSTORNO DISMÓRFICO CORPORAL:UMA REVISÃO INTEGRATIVA DO INSUSTENTÁVEL PESO DA BELEZA

This article explores the relationship between social media use and body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), contextualizing the increase in dissatisfaction with body image in an increasingly connected society. The objective was to understand the impact and influence of the search for beauty standards imposed by social media in relation to body dysmorphic disorder. The methodology used was an integrative literature review; the research was carried out through articles published in the last 10 years, in the PubMed, SciELO and Google Scholar databases; the search and selection path of the articles was arranged in an adapted flowchart. Four articles were included for the review and the results are presented in a summary table with the main elements of the studies. The discussion held understood that there is a strong correlation between the intensive use of social networks and the intensification of concerns about appearance, especially in relation to the face and belly. The discussions also revealed that the use of image-centered social media, such as Instagram and Snapchat, influences the perception of appearance, exacerbates comparative behaviors and fosters dysmorphic behaviors, and that constant exposure to idealized aesthetic standards and the use of filters and effects on published images contribute to increased body dissatisfaction with the consequent search for surgical and non-surgical aesthetic procedures. It was concluded that social media significantly influences the intensification of BDD, impacting individuals’ quality of life in the areas of physical and emotional health and social and professional relationships.

Associations Between Body Image, Eating Behaviors, and Diet Quality Among Young Women in New Zealand: The Role of Social Media.

Background/Objectives: This study investigates the relationship between diet quality and body image disturbance among young women aged 18-24, a crucial period for establishing lifelong health behaviors. Given the increasing exposure to social media, which often promotes unrealistic beauty standards, this research aims to explore associations between eating behaviors, diet quality, and body image disturbance. Methods: A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining qualitative focus group discussions with quantitative analysis. Focus groups (n = 19) explored themes of body image dissatisfaction. The Body Image Disturbance Questionnaire (BIDQ) was administered to 50 participants (young women aged 18-24) to quantitatively assess body image disturbance, while diet quality was evaluated using the Australian Recommended Food Scores (ARFS). The Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire (TFEQ-R18) was also used to assess eating behaviors, including cognitive restraint, uncontrolled eating, and emotional eating. A social influence questionnaire (SIQ) was administered to measure the effect of social influence. Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to determine the relationship between ARFS, BIDQ, and TFEQ-R18 scores. Results: Qualitative findings revealed persistent dissatisfaction with body shape, largely influenced by social media. Quantitatively, 65% of participants scored above the clinical threshold for body image disturbance (mean BIDQ score = 4.2, SD = 0.8). The correlation between ARFS and BIDQ scores was weak and not statistically significant (r = 0.057, p = 0.711). However, a significant positive correlation was observed between time spent on social media and body image disturbance (r = 0.58, p < 0.01). Additionally, TFEQ-R18 results indicated that 45% of participants displayed moderate levels of uncontrolled eating, and 36.5% demonstrated moderate levels of emotional eating. Conclusions: While social media is associated with body image concerns, its effect on eating behaviors and diet quality shows weak correlations, suggesting that other factors may mediate these outcomes. These results suggest the complexity of the associations between body image, eating behaviors, and diet quality, indicating that interventions should consider psychological drivers behind these concerns alongside social media usage.

Cultural imperialism of the Korean Wave and its impact on Thai society

As the Korean Wave in Thailand continues to gain sensational popularity, along with the development of the Korean Wave, the negative influence of the Korean Wave in Thailand has also been highlighted. The beauty of Korean-style whitening provides a new symbol of beauty in Thailand, and the desire to unconsciously imitate Korean beauty can be said to have political implications that go beyond simply personal desires and superficial issues. This research analyzes how the whitewashing of K-pop as a cultural imperialist element of the Korean Wave is affecting Thai society. Specifically, in-depth interviews were conducted with Thai Korean Wave fans who envy K-pop idols. Based on the interview results, it analyzed Thai beauty standards and perceptions of whitewashing that have become typical through K-pop and the political meaning of the stereotypical beauty standard of “white skin” and its influence on Thai society.

“I feel free and comfortable”: The Escape the Corset Movement in South Korea and the question of women's agency

Women's conformity to beauty standards are influenced not only by external pressures but also by internalized beliefs, creating some complex issues with regard to women's agency question. Considering the Escape the Corset Movement (ECM) in South Korea as a critical case, this study examines how female college students who loosely participated in the ECM articulate its impact on their daily lives, especially the extent to which they assess its role in their attainment of freedom, liberation, and independence from societal beauty standards. The findings suggest that young female students experienced heightened self-enlightenment and recognition of beauty ideals, as well as a sense of comfort and safety from societal expectations and the male gaze. However, the accounts of women's ambiguous and critical reflections on the perceived transformations also serve to indicate whether the movement has led to fundamental changes in the prevailing power dynamics of gender systems and social structures. We contend that a nuanced perspective on women's adherence to beauty standards should be integrated into scholarly discourse, as women's perceptions present a complex issue regarding their agency in conforming to or resisting societal beauty standards.

Men's skincare trends: Korean wave hyperreality media men's beauty standards

The desire for a white and smooth face is not only a woman's need, but has become a man's need as well. This new phenomenon is influenced by the globalization of the Korean wave, which has created contemporary cultural standards. Such as the increased need for facial skin care products among men. Therefore, this paper discusses how the development of the Korean Wave affects men's skincare needs that are provided through Instagram. It even leads to the emergence of a new hyperreality that replaces the previous cultural standard. Hyperreality is the result of postmodernism, which makes the role of media a source of new human needs. The preparation of this paper is through the netnography method and literature review. The netnography method itself is a development of ethnography that uses Internet media to find information and connect with informants. Netnography helps research to examine social phenomena that appear in the Internet world, and has special methods in interviewing and validating information data obtained from Internet media. This paper shows that Somethinc's local product is a symbol of hyperreality that shifts the special needs of one gender to a common need raised by the globalization of the Korean Wave at this time. The new standards of life brought by the media show that the media has penetrated human life. It has even become a new standard or a standard for the continuation of life.

Pelo negro y dramaturgia: sentir, pensar y politizar el pelo negro mediante dos piezas cortas de teatro

This article explores the significance of black hair as a symbol of creativity, imagination, culture, and identity. It emphasizes that black hair, like performing arts, is political, as it deconstructs hegemonic beauty standards that have historically marginalized Blackness. The article highlights how colonial structures have used black hair to reinforce racism, exclusion, and inequality. The focus of the article is on the research and creative process that led to the development of two short theater pieces: Alisado and Gloria, Lola, Margarita, and Luis, written by Pablo Tatés Anangonó. These works use black hair as a starting point to explore intercultural themes and reflect on racial discrimination. In the introduction, the significance of hair in daily life and on stage as a tool for constructing stories and characters is emphasized. Hair is seen as continually processed through cultural practices, which bestow meaning and value upon it. The theoretical framework delves into concepts related to plot, dramaturgy, and the thematic concerns of the plays. Black hair is examined as a physical attribute historically used to identify Black individuals, and how colonialism has employed this to establish racial hierarchies and differences. The analysis connects these ideas to artistic and aesthetic theories that link art with social and political dimensions. The methodology employed is research in the arts, addressing and visualizing issues of personal and cultural significance. Autonarrative methods from various paradigms are employed, linking personal experience with cultural context, and testimonies of racism and discrimination related to black hair are collected. In the discussion, the theater pieces Alisado and Gloria, Lola, Margarita, and Luis are examined from different perspectives, showing the importance of black hair in colonial history and its commodification in modern times. The influence of capitalism on this commodification is addressed, and the plays spark reflections on racism and oppression. The conclusion underscores the importance of using performing arts as a research methodology to produce knowledge and foster reflections on significant social and cultural issues. The plays presented in academic events, referenced in this article, were well-received and provoked valuable discussions on black hair and its meaning in contemporary society.

Types of nasal deformities in individuals seeking rhinoplasty at governmental hospital in Saudi Arabia.

This study explores the profound impact of nasal structure on individuals' self-image and emotional well-being, emphasizing the increasing popularity of rhinoplasty in Saudi Arabia, influenced by societal beauty standards portrayed on social media. The investigation aims to unravel the complex interplay between demographic factors, such as gender and age distribution, and prevalent nasal deformities in a cohort of 293 participants. This retrospective study at the University of Hail and King Khalid Hospital, Saudi Arabia, investigated nasal deformities in 293 participants aged 15-54. Ethical approval was obtained, and data, including bio-demographics and nasal deformities, were retrospectively reviewed. Statistical analyses, utilizing chi-square and Fisher exact tests, assessed associations, enhancing internal validity. The study targeted a diverse population, emphasizing ethical guidelines and systematic sampling. Our study of 293 participants revealed a prevalence of common nasal deformities. Dorsal hump deformity (59.0%) was the most prevalent, followed by external nasal deviation (54.6%). Significant gender differences were observed, with males more prone to external nasal deviation (65.6%), while decreased nasal tip rotation was more common in females (40.6%). Variations in nasal tip shape were statistically significant, with broad nasal tip shape more prevalent in females (35.2%). In conclusion, our study highlights the prevalence of common nasal deformities, emphasizing significant gender variations. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of nasal anatomy, essential for informed decision-making in rhinoplasty.

Ethnic Considerations When Planning Lip Augmentation.

Ideal standards of beauty including preferred lip characteristics vary between ethnicities. Though plump, well-defined lips are globally associated with youth, variation exists with regards to the perceived ideal lip volume and proportions between ethnicities. Proportions that may be assessed when planning lip augmentation include the upper to lower lip ratio, philtrum length, upper and lower vermilion heights, the ratio between the philtrum height and that of the upper vermilion, and the lip height to lip width ratio. It is important that accurate assessments of patients are made pre- and post- augmentation. However, many aesthetic assessment tools are based on Caucasian models with limited use in other ethnicities. We present a review of the ideal lip characteristics and assessment techniques accounting for ethnicity, with a view to providing practitioners an evidence-based approach to lip assessment and treatment planning for patients of all backgrounds.

To be fit, or not to be: How influencer-driven advertising reinforces idealized beauty standards in adolescents

ABSTRACT This study examines adolescents’ perceptions of body image advertising portrayed by social media influencers. Through discourse analysis, the research explores how participants interpret messages conveyed through influencer advertising content. The analysis reveals a discrepancy between adolescents’ understanding of ideal body representations and the descriptors used in advertising, shedding light on societal pressures surrounding body norms within social media. These findings underscore the pervasive influence of social media and advertising on adolescent body image constructs, highlighting the importance of cultivating critical advertising literacy skills among adolescents. Additionally, the study reveals that influencers affiliated with advertising perpetuate the stereotypical ideals of the body, emphasizing the need for educational and policymaker initiatives to promote healthy self-image.

‘Who am I now?’ the lived experiences and identity construction of individuals following bariatric surgery

ABSTRACT Mediatised standards of beauty in contemporary western societies contribute to stigma and discrimination of individuals labelled ‘obese’ by medical professionals. Most people who undergo weight-reduction treatments, including bariatric surgery, choose it due to serious health conditions, often unable to lose weight in any other way. However, they are commonly constructed as ‘cheaters’ and blamed for lacking will and self-control. Cultural beliefs demonising fat and fat people produce the perceptions of an inferior identity, often leading to internalised fatphobia among such individuals. This study investigates the lived experiences of 11 individuals after bariatric surgery using semi-structured interviews analysed via narrative framework. The findings demonstrate paradoxical effects bariatric surgery can have on identity, through a persistent ‘obese’ view of self and body perception challenges, indicating long-lasting harmful effects of symbolic violence these individuals experience due to stigmatisation and medicalisation of fat and highlighting hegemonic discourses inscribing normative views on human bodies.

Eating disorder risk assessment and sociocultural attitudes toward body image among Polish and Turkish professional female football players.

IntroductionFootball requires high physical fitness and often involves maintaining a specific physique, leading to harmful eating behaviors due to internal and external pressures. Cultural norms influence the prevalence and types of eating disorders (ED), with differences in eating habits, beauty standards, and socio-cultural pressures affecting ED development. This study assesses ED risk and analyzes socio-cultural attitudes toward body image among Polish and Turkish female football players.MethodsThe study was conducted from April to June 2024 and included 103 professional female football players aged 18–35 from Polish (n = 49) and Turkish (n = 54) clubs. Data were collected using the CAWI method via Google Forms. Participants completed EAT-26 and SATAQ-3 questionnaires, assessing ED risk and socio-cultural attitudes toward body image.Results40.8% of participants were at risk for ED. No differences in ED prevalence were found between groups of different nationalities. Polish footballers at risk of ED scored higher on the Internalization-Pressure and Information subscales and the overall SATAQ-3 score. A weak but significant positive correlation was found between SATAQ-3 and EAT-26 scores.DiscussionThe study finds no nationality-based differences in ED prevalence among professional female football players, but ED is widespread, affecting about 40% of players. Nutritional status impacts ED risk, with higher risk among underweight and overweight players. Polish players are more influenced by socio-cultural standards of body image promoted by mass media. The study underscores the need for regular screening and psychological support.

Empowered by representation: How plus‐size models create brand evangelists

AbstractTraditional beauty standards are evolving as brands embrace diversity and equity through inclusive communication strategies. This paradigm shift is evident in the transition from stereotypical slender models to the inclusion of more diverse plus‐size models in brand communication. However, an important question arises: Does the presence of a plus‐size model in an advertisement enhance consumer support for a brand? The present research encompasses six studies, including one field study and five experimental studies, that delve into the relationship between models' body size and brand evangelism. The findings demonstrate that featuring a plus‐size model in an advertisement enhances brand evangelism among consumers. Further, consumer empowerment is the underlying mechanism driving this effect. Finally, this research identifies the moderating role of empathy such that consumers with higher levels of empathy experience a heightened sense of empowerment through inclusive brand communication. By illuminating these dynamics, this research contributes to the growing literature of diversity, equity, and inclusion in brand communication.