NEWS: Cosmetic Happiness: Out With The Old, In With The New

CULTURE: Cosmetic Happiness: Out With The Old, In With The New?

According to research, almost one third of all males refuse to be naked in front of their partner because they are self-conscious about their appearance.

This news is disturbing, even if the study is conducted by a skin treatment facility where the results might be skewed, tweaked, and tailored toward pushing more product. If the numbers are even slightly accurate and even if we replace the word 'refuse' with something more reasonable like reluctance, there's still an alarming number of depressed and ashamed people out there totally uncomfortable in their skin, complicating their ability to lead anywhere near a fulfilled life. A study discussed in the February 2006 issue of National Geographic suggests that sex is essential for us to release the hormones and chemicals necessary for sustained loving romantic relationships and it's hard to get your groove on with your pants on.

Predictably, Sk:n says you can buy some peace of mind:

I'm beginning to wonder if this idea might be valid afterall. As weight issues spiral out of control and image consciousness becomes more of a universal commodity than a personal choice, maybe it is time to take a more open mind to the taboo topic of cosmetic surgery and cosmetic treatments in general.

Myself, I have reached an age where my metabolism isn't as reliable as it once was. I can't eat whatever I want without a guarantee of results accumulating on my frame in short order. Even more alarming, is 5 years ago if I worked out for a few weeks, I'd experience huge impact with visible results. Now, not so much. I have friends encountering similar biological obstacles. We all try to work out, promise ourselves results, but I've seen this pattern before. After a few weeks of dedication, with no visible results morale wanes as does resolve.

I'm not in any peril just yet, I am still sitting comfortably in the BMI's healthy range but I imagine many people who are overweight or obese experience similar if not more overwhelming psychological hurdles to exercise and diet. I often wonder if maybe we jump-started the whole process with cosmetic surgery or treatments, if maintaining results would be easier and more sustained than attempting to achieve them ourselves.

I am not a medical expert and if you are, and this notion is completely impractical or unsound, this little bit of writing is wasted, and I'm fine with that.

Some might argue that it would just initiate a whole new and more alarming cycle of surgery. America is currently experiencing a crisis of consumption with an alarming number of people eating themselves to death, and experts are predicting that nearly half of children in 2010 will be overweight. There is an equally alarming number of the population starving themselves to death. I'm not suggesting this as a band-aid to this serious health issues afflicting the larger population. On the other hand, obviously humans are by nature vain, so can cosmetic surgery act as a medicine when someone's health and mental well being suffers from something superficial, on a case by case basis?

Some studies seem to suggest they can. A small study this year revealed that a side effect of botox, in addition to limiting facial expressions, is healing depressed patients of their depressive symptoms.

It makes me wonder if other procedures might prove out similar benefits. Can these treatments truly initiate an authentic and improved confidence which will spark a more focused and sustained approach to general health and well being?

I'm always so glad to be getting sexed that how horrible I look naked never crosses my mind.

I hate having sex now because of the way I look naked...actually, its why I don't even try to pick up anymore...its useless because if I am successful I won't want to get naked so then its not worth it...so ya...it sucks.

I find it alarming that our society is quick to say "oh, you don' like something about yourself?....well step right up...just pop this pill or schedule this surgery" I think it's pretty sick how many people are turning to this instead of watching what they eat, or excercising more.

i agree...i can't stomach the idea of getting naked in front of someone else...not even a weight issue, but just the genetic lottery that gave me a less than satisfactory form.

i don't see why men shouldn't have cosmetic procedures, if it improves their ability to enjoy their life.

I once heard about guys getting calf implants, like breast implants for boys or something.

I don't know, i'm a skinny fother mucker and I don't mind getting naked. Generally, naked means sex right? And I like sex more then I care about how I look.

One third of men are never nudes?

See, I would totally do something like that for humor value, but I'm also in the boat with people who aren't at all keen on getting naked in front of a partner. Reveling in your uglyness is a far cry from a possible sex situation where you want to, at the very least, pretend that the other person finds you attractive. I think it's like the difference between singing bad karoke for laughs and getting ripped a new one when trying to do your best on American Idol.

As much as it saddens me, I'm glad that body image issues aren't seen as a problem exclusive to women. Maybe a change is under way now that it's more commonly seen as a problem for both sexes.

I know in a lot of threads about cosmetic surgery/ body modification people have said things like "If looking a certain way on the outside helps you express the way you feel on the inside then go for it. How is getting a boob job any different than getting a tattoo." To me, there's a big difference between getting a piece of artwork on your body because it means something to you and getting breast implants and lipo so you feel more attractive.

While I feel like if getting a little liposuction makes you happier and more confident then go for it. Where does it end? Plastic surgery and even airbrushed photos are pushing standards of beauty beyond the realm of reality. People shouldn't feel like they need surgery. It's a sad thing when normal people can't enjoy sex because they feel unattractive.

The problem isn't plastic surgery, it's that we live in a world where people are made to feel like they need it. If any "problem" should be fixed, it should be our want to fuck something that looks like it was peeled from a magazine.

But, above all else, humans are great at solving surface issues so they can avoid deeper ones.

And if your looking at my profile pic, gender, or age when you're determining if I'm making a valid point, you're part of the problem, dumbass.

I feel awful about my beer belly. It comes and goes, but on average, I feel I can't be totally attractive to a girl while I have it.

I don't mind being unattractive, i just feel sorry for the poor girl that has to see me naked occasionally.

I've never had a problem with it. When I'm with a woman, naked is a good thing. I'll walk around, whatever, it's just your body. I've put on some weight in the last couple years. Not to bad, I think I'm in between 180 and 190, and I'm 5'10 so it's still ok...but...I'd feel better if I lost about 10 pounds.

Basically, naked is good for me!!!

Most of us come from individualistic societies where youth is valued over age. Instead of respecting wisdom, we respect youthful appearance. I think this is kind of sad.

i'm not thrilled with my body. however, it's been my experience that once a girl is willing to see me naked in abstract, that it's past the point where anything that wasn't already painfully obvious to her about my appearance isn't going to be a dealbreaker. is that retarded?

I believe it. usually forcing myself to literally smile when I'm frustrated to the end of my rope actually works! this is how I managed to learn to snowboard.

At the moment I'm rather out of shape, and consequently not too thrilled with how I look. But I only get self-conscious about it while I'm clothed. I figure if the girl wants to take me to bed and get me naked - even though I don't look my best - then there's no reason for me to still be self-conscious.

Some of her point rings true with me.... I have often thought about getting liposuction, because quite frankly, I have put in the work, and it hasn't had that much effect. And I'm young! It should do something. It's only when I go to drastic (read:slightly unsafe) measures that real results show. Plus, you cannot loose fat ever. You were born with a certian number of fat cells, and you will die with all of those fats cells, and maybe more. Fat cells grow (how you get fat) and shrink, and also, you can add more, but you can never loose them. I honestly would want to get lipo to just speed up the process and loose the excess fat cells, and then maintain it with pilates and yoga and a vegan diet. Which wouldn't be all that hard.






But then I think how much I like my bootylicious ass and how weird it would look on skinny legs I'll loose weight the old fashioned way. Blood Sweat and Tears!

I've got the opposite problem, or maybe it's the same problem from the opposite perspective. I'm relatively OK with the way I look. I could probably use some ab work or something, but I'm in shape. I just hate myself. I think many people are trying to hide the fact that they don't like themselves by saying they don't like the way they look. What's hard for most to realize is that it really is what's on the inside that counts. If you don't like yourself, looking good by working out our by surgery isn't going to help.

oh, shut up...you're totally freakin' hot.

amen to that.
more plastic surgery leads to even more absurd, artificial standards of beauty and that hurts us all in the long run.