Cosmetics
Tyaeda
Published
04/15/2011
Here's a topic that doesn't come up very often around here. Plastic Surgery and other cosmetic procedures.
I'd like to start off with that I don't have problem with. Plastic Surgery. It's not my place to tell someone to feel comfortable with how they look, and to not want to alter that. I often relate that to someone who alters how they look by getting tattoos, and piercings (although plastic surgery can be much more significant). It's their body, and I think it's ok to want to feel comfortable with it. Personally, I wouldn't get any of these procedures myself, but am willing to give someone who would the benefit of a doubt. Plastic Surgeons do more than just cosmetic work, they help correct birth defects and perform reconstructive surgery on people who suffered from disfiguring injuries and illnesses. Cosmetic procedures can often be the bread and butter to many of these same practices, and provides an incentive for new doctors in that field. In Australia, women who join the military may receive government funded breast implants (probably why Neko wanted to join the Air Force) as they are recognized as confidence boosters. Confidence, like anything else, is good in moderation.
But, there are many negatives to this billion dollar industry. Yesterday, and this is what inspired this blog, I saw 2 commercials for 2 products that were said to eliminate wrinkles. I know what you're thinking "Only two? What else is new?", but these products were different. "(Product) is an injection administered by your doctor. Talk to your doctor about the risks of using (Product)." Now that I have a problem with. In both Canada and the United States, there is much talk of health care, and budget cuts, along with much debate regarding how they apply to each other. Many people have fears and uncertainty about the future of health care and how they will obtain it. It's not exactly the best time to be worried about a temporary face lift. Seriously. While people worry about services they need to stay alive, you're worried about how your face looks? Get a grip.
I doubt these products are covered by the average coverage system, on either side of the border, but in Canada doctor appointments are free. Well I shouldn't say free... we pay for them and other health care in our taxes. Which means, if a Canadian citizen makes a doctor's appointment to talk about these Anti-Wrinkle shots, I'm paying for it. It's not nice to think, and probably isn't that common, but I'm sure there are people out there who worry about being able to get these procedures done, before they worry about adequate health care for others who actually need it.
Another problem I have with the cosmetic industry, is a large and wide spread one. Marketing.
I once heard that you should start using anti-aging products at the age of TWENTY-FIVE for best results and good prevention. Now if they didn't follow that up with product suggestions on how to do that, I may have been slightly persuaded. It like many others is simply a marketing scheme designed to create a demand that wasn't already there. Another marketing catastrophe is associated with the constant development of new and improved products. Don't get me wrong. Innovation makes sense to me. I believe it is possible to create something that is better than the previous best. What doesn't make sense is when a company says that their new product is better than all other products.... that should include their own. How is it that these companies have 4-5 anti-wrinkle creams that are the best? And if it's the best, and works like they say it does... why are these products often included in packages of more than one product? If it works, and it's best at working, why would anyone need to buy anything else? Why not take all of your old products off the shelf? This is obviously because it doesn't work, and they're banking on you trying another product of their brand. Why else would a company put out so many products that are said to do the same shit? People will buy it... just like they will buy a product that boasts new and effective ingredients, even when they have no idea what they are, or what they do... if anything at all. These ingredients are as much of a fad as x2 concentrated laundry detergent.
Now, I'm not the only one who isn't betting on seeing a future of young looking old people. If you're lucky, you'll live long enough to be old. When you're old, you're going to look old. No cream or procedure is going to make my 80 year old grandmother look 30 again. Even if you found something that made her look 10 years younger, she would still look 70. Some people are just willing to do whatever it takes, and put their money and faith, into the hope that something will make them look better. Even skeptics are buying these products under the belief that "one doesn't know until one tries". Improving self-esteem and confidence wouldn't be so bad, if that wasn't directly associated with the unattainable image of "perfection". In many cases, this "perfect image" is what is creating these self-esteem issues and lack of confidence. It's not right. It's like buying a pet elephant because someone told you that you needed one.... in some cases you could buy an elephant with the money some women spend on improving their appearance.
I'd like to start off with that I don't have problem with. Plastic Surgery. It's not my place to tell someone to feel comfortable with how they look, and to not want to alter that. I often relate that to someone who alters how they look by getting tattoos, and piercings (although plastic surgery can be much more significant). It's their body, and I think it's ok to want to feel comfortable with it. Personally, I wouldn't get any of these procedures myself, but am willing to give someone who would the benefit of a doubt. Plastic Surgeons do more than just cosmetic work, they help correct birth defects and perform reconstructive surgery on people who suffered from disfiguring injuries and illnesses. Cosmetic procedures can often be the bread and butter to many of these same practices, and provides an incentive for new doctors in that field. In Australia, women who join the military may receive government funded breast implants (probably why Neko wanted to join the Air Force) as they are recognized as confidence boosters. Confidence, like anything else, is good in moderation.
But, there are many negatives to this billion dollar industry. Yesterday, and this is what inspired this blog, I saw 2 commercials for 2 products that were said to eliminate wrinkles. I know what you're thinking "Only two? What else is new?", but these products were different. "(Product) is an injection administered by your doctor. Talk to your doctor about the risks of using (Product)." Now that I have a problem with. In both Canada and the United States, there is much talk of health care, and budget cuts, along with much debate regarding how they apply to each other. Many people have fears and uncertainty about the future of health care and how they will obtain it. It's not exactly the best time to be worried about a temporary face lift. Seriously. While people worry about services they need to stay alive, you're worried about how your face looks? Get a grip.
I doubt these products are covered by the average coverage system, on either side of the border, but in Canada doctor appointments are free. Well I shouldn't say free... we pay for them and other health care in our taxes. Which means, if a Canadian citizen makes a doctor's appointment to talk about these Anti-Wrinkle shots, I'm paying for it. It's not nice to think, and probably isn't that common, but I'm sure there are people out there who worry about being able to get these procedures done, before they worry about adequate health care for others who actually need it.
Another problem I have with the cosmetic industry, is a large and wide spread one. Marketing.
I once heard that you should start using anti-aging products at the age of TWENTY-FIVE for best results and good prevention. Now if they didn't follow that up with product suggestions on how to do that, I may have been slightly persuaded. It like many others is simply a marketing scheme designed to create a demand that wasn't already there. Another marketing catastrophe is associated with the constant development of new and improved products. Don't get me wrong. Innovation makes sense to me. I believe it is possible to create something that is better than the previous best. What doesn't make sense is when a company says that their new product is better than all other products.... that should include their own. How is it that these companies have 4-5 anti-wrinkle creams that are the best? And if it's the best, and works like they say it does... why are these products often included in packages of more than one product? If it works, and it's best at working, why would anyone need to buy anything else? Why not take all of your old products off the shelf? This is obviously because it doesn't work, and they're banking on you trying another product of their brand. Why else would a company put out so many products that are said to do the same shit? People will buy it... just like they will buy a product that boasts new and effective ingredients, even when they have no idea what they are, or what they do... if anything at all. These ingredients are as much of a fad as x2 concentrated laundry detergent.
Now, I'm not the only one who isn't betting on seeing a future of young looking old people. If you're lucky, you'll live long enough to be old. When you're old, you're going to look old. No cream or procedure is going to make my 80 year old grandmother look 30 again. Even if you found something that made her look 10 years younger, she would still look 70. Some people are just willing to do whatever it takes, and put their money and faith, into the hope that something will make them look better. Even skeptics are buying these products under the belief that "one doesn't know until one tries". Improving self-esteem and confidence wouldn't be so bad, if that wasn't directly associated with the unattainable image of "perfection". In many cases, this "perfect image" is what is creating these self-esteem issues and lack of confidence. It's not right. It's like buying a pet elephant because someone told you that you needed one.... in some cases you could buy an elephant with the money some women spend on improving their appearance.
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