Image modification...how do you feel about it?

[Ash]

In a society where image seems to be every thing it is very hard not to get wrapped up in body (head included) modification. From changing yer hair color to completely altering yer natural self it seems every body has gotten into it. Myself, I tend to dye my hair with every changing season.
Tattoos, piercing, dyed hair, and plastic surgery are four of the most common body mods that almost every person on the planet has participated in.
While most are content with a few piercings, some different hair color, or a couple tattoos to express themselves as individuals, many people take it to drastic measures.

Call me old fashion, but I’m not exactly on boat with lip injections, nose jobs, breast implants, etc. etc…but that’s just me and I know I might get some angry feed back but I am entitled to my opinion and I’m not trying to push any one into feeling as I do. Although this might contradict with what was just stated I am on boat with transsexual operations…but that is another discussion.

Here are a few questions I have asked myself and was wondering how other people would answer them:

How far is too far?

If you fell in love with someone who was perfect (ly flawed ;P) in yer eyes, would you be ok with them modifying their appearance with plastic surgery?

How do you feel when you see our youth wanting to increase or decrease the size of something because they feel it will make them more confidant and/or beautiful?


Lastly, what are some of yer experiences with image modification, or plans for future mods?

Let's keep an open mind and hear all sides before deciding what's wrong and what's right.
~Ash~

[Ash]

Agreed...
I understand that certain mods are for decoration or just because you feel like it, and some tie into religious beliefs. And who am I to say that’s wrong…actually I find them interesting and admire them.
But the idea of changing what you were born with to appear “beautiful” makes me sick to my stomach.
If you were in an accident or something and got plastic surgery to make you look like you did before the accident that’s different…I’m all for that. In fact I know a few people who have had that sort of thing done…but it’s like we’re (generally speaking not actually you and I) so obsessed with this idea of perfection that we’re blinded by it and don’t realize it doesn’t exist.. It’s human nature to be flawed and I wish more people understood that because the money we spend on cosmetics could be used for curing diseases or understanding more about them…like Crohn’s disease (yes I’m using it as an example just because I have it)..no one knows why it is or how it happens and as of now there is no known way to get rid of it…what the fuck!??!...cancer and aids and herpes are other good examples of diseases we should be funding research for, and I know there are tons more!!
Also it could make a big difference in our nations education issue…make schools better and maybe more kids will actually stick with it and graduate to become a positive member of society and actually live instead of just being alive…holy moose I’m ranting and rambling again
=\
Well I'm glad I'm not the only one who feels this way.
~Ash~

[Charlotte Tracey]

I see nothing wrong with plastic surgery, as long as you're doing it for the right reasons. As long as it's something you like, and you personally want to have it done and it'll make you feel better about yourself. Not because society says you should, or getting pressured into it. It's your body and you should be able to do with it as you please.

There are women who get breast implants, not because society says they should have a certain cup size (although there are a lot who do it for that reason), but because when they look in the mirror they just aren't satisfied with what they have, and are unhappy, and decide to get bigger boobs because they want to.

[Undead_Caveman]

You can not forget that there are some women who have had breast reductions for health reasons. I know a girl that was developing back problems because her natural bust was to big. I think that is ok. I am not a fan of plastic surgery unless it is for health or a more of a reconstructive means. I do also agree with Charlotte Tracey above that as long as your doing it for the right reasons it is ok. I do not think you should change anything about yourself for anyone unless it is something you want to and is good for YOU!

[Ash]

Cave Man,

I agree with the health reason and reconstruction via plastic surgery...I don't know any one who would disagree.


~Ash~

[Ash]

Charlotte Tracy,

That's an interesting way to look at it.
I agree that it is our bodies and we should do with it as we please...but I think if the media and society in general wouldn't create so much pressure to look "beautiful" there wouldn't be so many who feel they aren't "good enough" when they look in a mirror.
I also want to say that I'm not trying to come off as looking down on people who get plastic surgery...If you can afford it then go for it and don't let any one talk you into or out of doing what's right for you...ya know what I mean?
Thanks for sharing
~Ash~

[Jane Doe]

How far is too far?
I'd say when you're out of money and you look nothing like your regular self but you're still not happy.

If you fell in love with someone who was perfect (ly flawed ;P) in your eyes, would you be okay with them modifying their appearance with plastic surgery?
It's not really my place to say, if it's to help raise their confidence or help with a problem, then I'd be fine with it. If it's just because they're superficial, well, I wouldn't be dating him. XD

How do you feel when you see our youth wanting to increase or decrease the size of something because they feel it will make them more confident and/or beautiful?
I think it's wrong unless it's for medical reasons. For example, if I had a teenage daughter, I wouldn't want her to get breast implants/nose jobs/liposuction/etc. just because she feels inadequate next to her friends or peers, I'd just try to teach her to see herself as and individual that's still growing with better qualities that lie beneath an exterior of big boobs, flat stomachs, and spray on tans. However, as Undead_Caveman said, women can have back problems because they have large breasts. People can also have breathing problems with noses.

Lastly, what are some of your experiences with image modification, or plans for future mods?
I don't have any plans for plastic surgery. I'd love to dye my hair Turquoise and Hot Pink, and maybe get some piercings, but my mom says she doesn't want me getting piercings/tattoos until I'm 18. I can understand the tattoos, I'm thinking of 5 or so tattoo's to get (maybe even a Perfectly Flawed one), but I'd prefer it if she was more lenient with the piercings, I can't really do that after 18, and I'm not going to have like 30 piercings, only maybe a lip ring or 2, corset piercings on my inner forearms, an anti-eyebrow, a Monroe, cheek piercings, or a bridge

[Ash]

Jane Doe,

Thank you for answering every question
n_n
About the hair dye thing...I just had mine dyed to be black and purple but for some reason the dye wouldn't take to my hair so now it's black blue and yellow
XD

Thanks again for yer insight!

~Ash~

[Ash]

Weetzie,

Thank you for sharing yer view on the subject. I agree with every thing you stated and have even had the same feelings towards my own family members, and close friends who think they need surgery to fix something.
It’s scary how vanity and self-expression can straddle the same fence sometimes.
Piercings and hair dyeing is as far as I’ve gotten…but I’m still debating on what tatt to get and where to place it. I want my first one to be like that fairy-tale true love kiss…it’s got to mean something. So it will have something to do with my mother for sure.
My first piercing (besides the ears) was just me sitting in my room at age 13 listening to Murder Dolls with a lighter, alcohol prep pads and an extra large safety-pin destined to penetrate my bottom lip…the classic labret piercing.

~Ash~

[Ash]

Hello Kitty is great.

I'd get my tongue peirced but a few family members of mine have it done and their tongues swelled...that and food gets wrapped around them easily...I love food too much to have to worry about how it would mesh with a peircing. Plus I don't think I could pull it off. Nipple rings are always pretty, but again I'd be afraid of it ripping out or getting caught on something lol. And again I wouldn't be able to pull it off. I had my left nostril done but it kept bothering my nose so I just let it close.

The trinity tattoo sounds nifty though. You should post a picture of it when and if you get it done.

~Ash~

[lujain t.a]

i got my nose pierced two years ago i did it for absolutely no reason i was bored i guess, i dont mind getting my hair dyed with almost every colour except for blond about plastic surgeries im 100% against them liketwo of my friends got lips injections my sister is planning to so im in this situation where i have to prevent that from happening coz i think real beauty isnt about looking like a barbie doll i dont even like the way she looks ,whats wrong with people accepting the way they look. its really bothering me...

[Jane Doe]

I wouldn't get anything in my mouth pierced for fear of swallowing it XD

[Ash]

Yeah I know the fear lol