Holistic Natural vs Cosmetic Medical

[Gumnut_Gal]

Hi,

I'm a first time poster but someone called Pia started up a thread recently which hit a nerve.


Do you think the medicalisation of beauty has been a good thing?

Or should we be relying on holistic natural ways to enhance beauty?


I'm of the opinion medical treatments like botox and surgery just objectify women. Turn them into objects to be sculpted by some male doctor.

I'm all for natural holistic relaxing ways of enhancing beauty. After all in the end the beauty is not what you see but the confidence and aura you radiate.


I hope this post doesn't get my banned by the moderators but I thought Pia had a very good point.

[jomol31]

Hi Gumnut_Gal!


Pia wasn't temporarily banned for questioning the ethics of cosmetic medical work.

She was banned because of the abusive language.

I've been with this forum pretty much from the start. There are lots of different opinions but the flaming is very heavily policed.

[Tanny]

Hi Gumnut_Gal,

I appreciate the sentiment.

But what do you make of the argument that if a person WANTS a change in their physical appearance then they should spend their money on something that really does work.

I used to get a facial every month for 5 years. Truth be told I never really saw a dramatic change.

The first time I got botox everyone was commenting on how fresh and awake I looked.


In some ways Botox is more honest. At least it really does work. I must have wasted $8000 on facials that only marginally improved my appearance at best. Not one else ever noticed.

[aaron]

I think whether it is holistic or medical I like science.

That is to say you should be able to demonstrate a consistent clear, reproducible difference to a large range of people upon applying a treatment.

Unfortunately many "holistic" therapies fail this simple test. They work for some people, don't work for others and make negligable difference to a lot.

[starfish]

Hi aaron,

I pretty much agree with you statements but I'm feeling belligerent and want to play devil's advocate.

Surely beauty, by definition, is totally subjective and not subject to true, objective measurements (such that science demands).

Its a cliche but still true.

Surely beauty is in the eye of the beholder

I think whether it is holistic or medical I like science.

That is to say you should be able to demonstrate a consistent clear, reproducible difference to a large range of people upon applying a treatment.

Unfortunately many "holistic" therapies fail this simple test. They work for some people, don't work for others and make negligable difference to a lot.

[YummyMummy]

Obviously you are always going to get extreme people who want the trout pout or 2000cc breasts. But, non-invasive cosmedical medical treatment really has moved beyond that. Personally (like Tanny) I see it as an intense facial that actually works!

For women who 45+ and juggling family and work, a bit of touch-up is good for the mental health! Looking tired projects the image that you're not fit enough to put in 100%. When you break down the various features that people ask for - the full lips, the lifted brows/smooth skin etc, they are really just signs of youth and good health.

I don't feel attaching moral or political significance to a simple wish for a "pick-me-up" is helpful or justified. Are we really perpetuating the patriarchal oppression of women by staying fit, eating well, wanting to look fresh and healthy? And will looking frumpy solve the world's problems? Really.

[jomol31]

Amen,


I second everything you say yummymummy.


Its not an all-or-nothing kind of world. Plenty of scope for gradual variation

[googly_bear]

Hi,

I'm a first time poster but someone called Pia started up a thread recently which hit a nerve.


Do you think the medicalisation of beauty has been a good thing?

Or should we be relying on holistic natural ways to enhance beauty?


I'm of the opinion medical treatments like botox and surgery just objectify women. Turn them into objects to be sculpted by some male doctor.

I'm all for natural holistic relaxing ways of enhancing beauty. After all in the end the beauty is not what you see but the confidence and aura you radiate.


I hope this post doesn't get my banned by the moderators but I thought Pia had a very good point.


Take a chill gumnut_gal! If a person can afford it and they like the effect why shouldn't they be allowed to do it????!!!!!!