Beauty Matters For Some, But Remember To Be Apologetic About This Fake Standard.
Shikha Das
April 22, 2025. 4 minute Read
Imagine walking into a room, and all eyes are on you!
You start fixing your hair, adjusting your clothes, wishing you could just turn around, run back to home, and disappear. This is what happens when looks become labels.
It does feel good when someone calls you beautiful, gives you a sense of assurance, a quiet validation that you are worth something. But now imagine the opposite, when you are repeatedly reminded how ugly, fat, or short you are chipping away at your self-worth, doesn’t it?
We live in a world where confidence is often tied to curves, skin tones, or sizes—where the definition of beauty is looks, and self-worth is measured in what they see in the mirror. A world where flawless skin is the standard and not fitting into it is a silent sin.
Numerous movements for body positivity have gained momentum. Yet, the dark force of body shaming and anxiety continue to shadow lives—especially among the younger generation, who are often trapped by unrealistic body standards.
A recent survey of 11 to 16 year olds in the Uk found that 79% of them said that how much looks matter to them in their day to day life and with over 52% reported suffering from body image issues.
Despite our progress, the statistics continue to paint the same sobering picture and it’s not just the teenagers but adults who are victimized by this too, entangled in how they perceive rather than embracing what they truly are from within.
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In this article we will explore the powerful truth that how much damage the beauty standard has done to our mental health and how far the impact can go.
Stay tuned, only on The one liner.
Understanding the negative impact of societal emphasis on beauty!
Being anxious about your physical appearance is a growing concern, especially in a world where beauty standards have become an obsession. Below, we have discussed some key terms that reflect how people experience distress for their looks.
1. Appearance Anxiety
A distressful feeling of nervousness and insecurity about how you look is mostly triggered by social settings or being constantly compared with others.
2. Body Shaming Anxiety
Fear or anxiety is caused by being criticized for looks, complexion, and size. The constant reminder of our insecurities can lead to such scars.
3. Social Physique Anxiety
Being constantly concerned about getting negatively judged by others based on one’s appearance in public places. This anxiety can, to the extent that people stop associating with others altogether.
4. Fear of Judgment (Appearance)
Getting worried about how others perceive you or evaluate your looks often leads to extreme social awkwardness.
5. Preoccupation with Appearance
Excessive obsession with physical features interferes with our daily activities and emotional well-being.
Psychological effects of Fake Beauty Standards!
Effect of body shaming on mental health!
1. Body Shaming
It is not easy to explain something so wrong in a single phrase, but if we put it simply, body shaming is anything that makes someone feel irrelevant or ashamed about themselves or their appearance.
Body shaming can cause significant emotional harm, leading to feelings of extreme shame, self-hate, and an obsession to fit into unrealistic standards. Unfortunately, the effects of body shaming can extend to both the victim and society at large by perpetuating unrealistic beauty ideals and dangerous stereotypes.
2. Embarrassment about appearance
One is bound to get depressed when they are constantly reminded of how ugly they look or made to feel that way. Persistent negative remarks can make anyone feel emotionally distressed. Over time, these hurtful words can distort their self-image and trigger feelings of hopelessness in life.
3. Insecurity about looks
Insecurity or otherwise called, Poor self esteem occurs when constant comparison about our appearance leads to a diminished sense of self worth. When we are repeatedly reminded of our insecurities, we start to believe that we are not worthy of love, respect, or anything good in life.
4. Negative self-perception (appearance)
One is bound to get depressed when they are constantly reminded of how ugly they look or made to feel that way. Persistent negative remarks can make anyone feel emotionally distressed. Over time, these hurtful words can distort their self-image and trigger feelings of hopelessness in life.
5. Distress over body image/Anxiety issues
Anxiety is cancerous, consuming us as we spend half of our day worrying about uncertain events. Hearing constant negative comments and judgment about our appearance can make us anxious or scared.
Anxiety manifests itself as a constant pressure to meet societal beauty standards or the fear of getting ridiculed or joked about for our looks.
When Beauty gets brutal?
When Beauty gets brutal?
False beauty ideals and body shaming are somewhere deeply rooted in our cultural expectations, social media, and personal insecurities shaped by society and its unrealistic standards.
Causes and contributing factors!
- Unrealistic Beauty Standards: Promoting flawless looks which is impossible for many to achieve. This creates dissatisfaction and disappointment and leads to several mental health issues.
- Weight Stigma: Larger bodies are shamed, causing guilt, isolation, and poor self-image.
- Societal Beauty Pressures: Society rewards what it finds visually soothing and discriminates towards what it doesn't find aesthetically appealing and makes others feel unworthy if they don't fit in.
- Media Influence on Body Image: TV, ads and the current fashion industry glorifies thinness and perfection distorting what the natural body looks like.
- Social Media and Body Image: Filtered posts set fake standards, leading to comparison and self-criticism.
- Body dysmorphia (The mirror Trap): Body dysmorphic disorder is a serious mental health condition where a person gets obsessively preoccupied with perceived flaws in their appearance, flaws which are often minor or even negligible and invisible to others. These conditions get triggered or worsened by body shaming and bullying.
Effects and Consequences!
Body shaming and beauty pressures lead to emotional pain, self-esteem issues, and mental health challenges that affect daily life.
- Low Self-Esteem (Related to Appearance): People begin to value themselves based on how they look. Constant self-criticism erodes confidence and self-worth.
- Body Dissatisfaction: Unhappiness with one’s appearance becomes chronic. It can affect relationships, lifestyle choices, and personal goals.
- Mental Health and Body Image: Negative body image is closely tied to depression, anxiety, and poor mental health. Emotional well-being declines as appearance becomes a daily burden.
- Psychological Distress (Appearance-Related): Worrying about looks can lead to sleepless nights, mood swings, and stress. It becomes a mental load that’s hard to carry.
How can we combat body shaming?
Sometimes, it feels like a vicious cycle you can never escape. You step out of your house, and the fear starts to creep in. Yet, with every step you take, you get closer to what once seemed unachievable. Here are some ways that may help us, or our loved ones, combat the trauma that we have been a victim of.
- Practice the art of Self-Love.
- Affirmation magic
- Find strength in friends and family.
- Apply Take therapy
Final reflection
In a nutshell!
In a world where beauty defines behavior, it is important to understand that true beauty lies within, not in what we are told about ourselves. The impact of body shaming is huge and harmful, and no matter how much we try, the wound never gets old. Through self love, positive affirmations, and the support of our loved ones, we can rebuild what was broken.
We are not defined by the standard the world has set but by the strength and authenticity we have within ourselves.
Frequently asked Questions!
1. What are fake beauty standards?
Fake beauty standards are unrealistic ideals promoted by the media and society that often exclude natural diversity in appearance, leading people to believe they must look a certain way to be accepted.
2. How does body shaming start?
Body shaming often begins with societal comparisons, media portrayals, or bullying that criticize someone’s appearance—causing emotional harm and insecurity.
3. Can beauty standards really affect mental health?
Yes. Unrealistic beauty standards can lead to anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and low self-esteem, especially when individuals feel they can’t live up to them.
4. What is appearance-related anxiety?
It’s the persistent worry or fear of being judged based on your looks. This can lead to avoidance of social situations and a constant need for validation.
5. How does social media influence body image?
Social media often shows filtered, edited, or curated images that promote perfection. This encourages harmful comparisons and unrealistic expectations.
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