If someone says “beauty”, most people imagine confidence, self-care, and pride in your own self.
But today, the meaning of beauty has changed into a very different perspective. It has been now shaped into a far more rigid and disturbing style, which needs to be questioned.
When you scroll through your social media platforms, multiple reels that you pass by mention how to get clear , acne free skin, long, healthy hair, etc.
But the problem is not in the reels, or in watching and following their steps. Everyone loves clean, glossy skin, perfect, silky, and shiny hair, long eyelashes… and a perfect figure. These things are praised and are called the standard. But wait, how did these things become the standard? How do they increase your sense of pride?
And the irony is that these things are presented as natural. How can they be natural when the real natural things like acne and pores aren’t considered natural?
Like, “apply this – it’s 100% natural. Made in our lab” Umm…no it’s not!
One of the most alarming outcomes is the rise of cosmetic procedures among young people. According to data from the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, millions of cosmetic treatments are performed each year, with a noticeable increase among younger age groups. Lip fillers, Botox, and facial reshaping are no longer rare — they are becoming common and far worse, the new standard.
Teenagers are beginning to see surgery not as a last resort, but as a solution to insecurity.
Also these surgeries are really costly, and are dangerous too. A study reported that the butt lifting surgery is such a rare case of success that only 2 of 10 people would survive. The after treatment, and the long life procedure just increases the burden – financially and life threatening too.
But who made them insecure? How can your real self become an insecurity?
The overall problem is how it is rooted in our minds, and from a very young age.
“He is too short”, “She is too black”, “Ah, no, her nose is really big”. We often hear these phrases in our daily lives. Everywhere.
Even at a wedding, the guests will comment on the bride and groom, but mostly brides.
That’s how it has been since centuries, which I find absurd!
But why? Why these comments?
And leaving all the critics behind, let’s talk about how big the impact is on the minds of the upcoming generations.
The psychological impact of this cannot be ignored. Studies referenced by the American Psychological Association show that constant exposure to unrealistic beauty standards leads to low self-esteem, anxiety, and body dissatisfaction. A normal face seems to be not normal.
We see girls aged 12 and under talk about certain brands, fashion and trends, which, to be brutally honest, shouldn’t concern them. I mean how did they come under such influence to be talking about these adults concerning things?
Let’s get into its depth. How did it become such a topic in modern times, where everyone should be accepted for being themselves? The real reason is the media – it often portrays these trends as the biggest achievement of the century.
Today’s news, Kareena Kapoor spotted in a blue suit. Hrithik Roshan raises a new trend of shirts and many such examples. The impact is that we see them, glamorous, shining and loved by all, and we follow them blindly.
But here is the catch. The media shows only the tip of the iceberg, the whole truth remains hidden.
These new fashion, cosmetics brands, surgeries only profit the companies owning them, and a share of the industry as well as media – for making them the headline.
The same media which should be talking about education, the environment, and real world issues, has become a centre of entertainment for the large impactful brainwashing of the society.
And once we cannot keep up with all these trends and tantrums. We are seen as slow, and different.
Stand up in a group of young generations and say “I don’t even know this brand” and see the effect. Yup, the looks…alas!
Young girls, some barely in their teens, are growing up in an environment where validation comes from appearance. They are not just consuming content; they are internalizing it. They learn that beauty equals worth, that attention equals validation, and that perfection equals success. This mindset is not harmless — it is deeply harmful and exploitative.
And from exploitation, I really mean making such young girls appealing to the male sight. Bigger chest, bigger butt, thinner waist. The perfect hourglass figure. Long lashes. Soft skin, big eyes, baby voice, and silky hair…wait small hands and small feet, did I just describe a child?
Yes I did, just in a more sexualized way, but all these things are seen as standards and while I am being honest, they are borderline pedophilic.
The trends of being normal, self-care and being yourself is now just shifting towards the more questionable outcome.
What can we do to stop this? The truth is, we can’t.
The trends will keep changing, the beauty standard will be different every time. What you can do is, just simply don’t follow the same path.
Treat it as a meme, you watch it, you enjoy it and then forget it.