The Beauty of Body Positivity

Body image and how it is portrayed in society are themes that have long been contested. Fat-shaming and weight stigma are widely promoted by our society and the media, which has severe implications. Body image is important in our lives, and we must consider how the media and cultural factors shape people's conceptions of "ideal weight." We are so much more than a set of numbers on a weighing scale. At Doctor A Cosmetics, we value diversity and inclusion. They are at the forefront of our brand’s ethos. Today, we will be talking about body shaming and body acceptance and how these ideals play out in the skincare industry as well as what Doctor A Cosmetics is doing to combat it.

 Every body type is beautiful

Bodies come in a wide range of sizes and shapes. That is one of the things that makes everyone of us unique. It's vital to recognise that there is no such thing as a "average" or "normal" physique. Some of us are curvier, while others have wider shoulders or narrower hips. We are all distinct individuals. Nonetheless, the majority of us may categorise our shapes into a few broad categories.

 Female bodies have historically been classified into five shapes: triangle, rectangle, diamond, oval, and hourglass, according to a 2004 study. Most women aspire to have an hourglass body. But have we ever paused to consider why we are subjected to shapes? These body types, which are frequently depicted in the media, have been highly manipulated and photoshopped.

 We see these retouched photographs all over the place. These edited       fashion campaigns put a lot of pressure on people. The pressure of browsing through the internet and various publications and seeing these flawlessly poreless photographs of young women made to look almost half of their age, slender and gorgeous, and "ideal". Perfect, blemish-free skin with even skin tones are represented in these images. Skin tones that do not represent cultural and ethnic heritage.  These visuals are not genuine, and subconsciously we all know this.

 For example, British actress Jameela Jamil recently spoke out about how her image had been altered in various publications, magazines and photoshoots to make her "appealing to a Caucasian audience." She talked of digital skin lightening, which is an alarmingly expanding practise as Eurocentric beauty ideals continue to dominate the media. She also discussed how the edited images of herself had a negative impact on her mental health, saying that they "send a direct message to me that I am not good enough as I am." These photoshopped images have a terrible impact on not only celebrities, but also on the young girls and boys who see these manipulated images all over the place. These manipulated photographs have become far too accessible because of the internet.

 What is a negative body image?

Body image refers to a person's ideas and beliefs regarding their body. A good body image is an accurate perception of one's physical appearance, whereas a negative body image is an unrealistic idea of how individuals view their bodies. A negative body image can cause emotions of shame and worry, leading to depression, loneliness, low self-esteem, and an eating disorder.

 What is the body positivity movement?

Such reports have inspired a growing empowerment movement known as the body positivity movement. This trend rapidly gained popularity on the internet and in the mainstream media. Body positivity emerged to combat concerns of poor body image in society as a whole. Body positivity, in general, holds that all bodies are good bodies. The physical appearance of people's bodies should not be used to determine their worth as individuals.

 This viewpoint opposes the media's long-held valuations of physical attractiveness in Western civilisation, mainly as portrayed in movies (or conspicuously not shown). As a result, proponents of body positivity on social media strive to make various body types more visible, partially to remind us to reassess our cultural perceptions of what it means to be attractive and that such concepts are not fixed.

 “Fat- shaming” decreases in the USA but UK public still apportion blame

 According to a new survey performed in the United States and the United Kingdom, weight-shaming, or express bias towards individuals who are obese, has decreased dramatically in the United States over the last three years, indicating a greater acceptance of obesity as a medical concern.

 However, according to the survey, the findings in the United States are in sharp contrast to those in the United Kingdom, where the general public blames obesity. According to the report, over one-third of UK adults blame people with obesity for their illness and do not feel obesity is a medical concern. (ECOICO 2020).

 How Doctor A Cosmetics is combating the beauty industry's beliefs

 Doctor A Cosmetics is a skincare line with a mission to make the world a better place. Our social conscience drives everything we do as an eco-friendly, clean, give back skincare brand, from fostering diversity within the beauty industry to supporting social initiatives through our charity partners. At Doctor A Cosmetics, we put inclusivity and better representation at the forefront of all we do.

 Our mission as a female-owned and minority-owned business is to contribute to a more inclusive society, especially in the beauty industry. Doctor A is a multi-purpose skincare line that creates natural products for all skin types and complexions.

 We feel that skincare is the instrument through which we can have more in-depth and meaningful dialogue about what beauty is. This includes body and skin positivity.  The concept of beauty is timeless. It is our objective as a next-generation skincare brand to encourage inclusion and improved representation in the beauty and skincare sector.

 Final thoughts

Remember that you are beautiful regardless of your body type.  Popular misconception has it that an "ideal" body profile exists. This could not be further from the truth. What matters most is that you are content and healthy. If you have any concerns about your body, including how it feels or moves, please talk to a doctor or other healthcare provider.


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