Image by Tyli Jura from Pixabay
By Stephanie Avdeienko and Anna Maria Gkini
In today’s world, beauty standards are everywhere. From fashion campaigns to social media feeds, women are constantly exposed to images of what the “ideal” face and body should look like. Because of this, many women feel pressure to look a certain way. But no matter what choices women make about their appearance, they often face criticism.
In recent years, cosmetic treatments such as fillers have become more common, especially in the UK. Procedures that enhance lips, cheeks or jawlines are widely discussed online and often promoted by influencers and celebrities. For some women, these treatments can help them feel more confident.
The popularity of these treatments has grown a lot. According to information from the aesthetics industry journal PMFA Journal, the UK non-surgical cosmetic market is now worth around £3.6 billion a year, which shows how common treatments like fillers and Botox have become.
Flo Wilson, a student at London Metropolitan University, believes that cosmetic procedures are not necessarily a negative thing. “I’m not against that, if that makes people feel more confident,” she says. She adds that what women see online plays a huge role in their choices. “Yes, mostly because of social media, women are more tempted to get cosmetic treatments.”
Almost one million Botox jabs
Research from the UK Government shows how popular these procedures have become. Around 900,000 Botox injections are carried out every year in the UK, making it one of the most common non-surgical cosmetic treatments.
Instagram and TikTok arguably are the biggest digital influencers on beauty standards today – but they don’t always represent reality. Filters, edited photos and viral beauty trends can create unrealistic expectations about how people should look.
Alexandra, another London Met student who didn’t want to give her surname, believes that many women feel they have to be close to the “standards” of the time, because social media constantly shows the image of the perfect, thin and successful woman.
At the same time, opinions about cosmetic procedures are different. Allysa Taniajura, a first-year Business Studies student, says she has never tried fillers herself but is open to the idea. “I think fillers are a great way to make yourself feel confident, but in moderation,” she says.
The contradiction in beauty standards can also be seen with celebrities. Actress Pamela Anderson has made a name for herself by appearing at public events wearing little or no makeup. While many people praised her for showing a more natural look, others criticised her appearance and compared her to how she looked in the past.
At the same time, celebrities who use cosmetic procedures are also criticised.
Members of the Kardashian-Jenner family, including Kris Jenner, are often discussed because of their cosmetic treatments. Some people admire their glamorous image, while others say it promotes unrealistic beauty standards.
Flo Wilson believes that this shows the double standard women face. “Yeah, because of social media generation setting certain expectations. That’s the joy of being a female,” she says.
Alexandra also points out that natural beauty is still not always accepted. Things like wrinkles, grey hair or stretch marks are often seen as outside the “perfect” beauty standards promoted today.
Allysa also mentions that age can make this pressure even stronger. She believes older women are often judged more harshly whether they try to look younger or choose to age naturally.
Overall, the interviews show that many women feel stuck between different expectations. Whether they choose cosmetic procedures or stay natural, they are still judged by others. This shows that the real issue may not be fillers or natural beauty, but the unrealistic beauty standards that women are expected to follow.
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