SUNDAY MUSLIN: Rising Obsession with Beauty

The challenge today is not how to look perfect but how to stay authentic.

Dr.Noour Ali Zehgeer

In today’s world, the urge to “look beautiful” has evolved from a personal choice into an intense societal pressure. Social media filters, unrealistic beauty standards set by the glamour industry, and constant comparison have collectively transformed beauty into a competition. The result—an overwhelming desire to look perfect—is silently damaging minds, bodies, and society itself. It ahs not only remained as a self-care, it has become undeclared competition to look better and prove supremacy among women. Beauty business has grown 20X thanks to ladies and their obsession to look better without knowing the side effects of the treatments what is available in the market.
From Natural Beauty to Manufactured Perfection
There was a time when beauty meant simplicity, grace, and personality. Today, it is measured through:
Fair skin tones
Slim body types
Sharply defined features
Layered makeup and filters
A lifestyle curated for social media

This obsessive pursuit of flawless looks has created a wave of emotional stress, particularly among young people.

The Poison of Comparison and Social Pressure
Impact of social media
Platforms like Instagram and Snapchat show an edited version of reality. Every “perfect” post deepens self-doubt in young minds, lowering self-esteem.

Verbal Judgments from Society
Casual remarks such as:
You’d look better if you were fair.”
Why are you so thin?”
Apply some makeup.”
gradually seed feelings of inadequacy and insecurity.

Excessive Cosmetic Product Use
Skin-lightening creams, chemical serums, and steroid-based treatments may deliver instant results but often cause long-term skin damage.

Unhealthy Weight Loss Practices
Crash diets, fat burners, protein shakes without medical advice, and excessive gym routines lead to hormonal imbalance, weakness, and mental fatigue.
Cosmetic Surgery Addiction
Procedures like Botox, fillers, and rhinoplasty may offer quick transformation but carry the risk of complications and often trigger psychological dependence.

Silent Damage to Mental Health
Body dissatisfaction: Increasing inability to accept one’s natural appearance.
Stress and Depression: Constant pressure to look good leads to emotional exhaustion.
Low Self-Esteem: Self-worth is now linked more to edited photos than to one’s character or abilities.

A Growing Social Discrimination
When beauty becomes a benchmark for acceptance, it leads to bias in:
Employment
Relationships
Education
Valuing fairness and thinness as superiority is not culture—it is conditioning, and it is deeply unjust.

Root Causes of the Problem
Misleading social media visuals
Aggressive beauty industry marketing
Cultural and societal expectations, especially for women
Absence of realistic role models

The Real Solution Lies Within
Accept Yourself
True progress begins with self-acceptance. Every individual is unique.
Value Inner Beauty
Wisdom, compassion, talent, and kindness have a greater and more lasting impact than flawless skin.

Choose Health Over Appearance
A balanced diet, proper sleep, hydration, and regular exercise are the only sustainable beauty regimen.
Limit Comparisons
Remember—filters hide imperfections, not reality.

Be Conscious Consumers
Never use invasive treatments, whitening creams, or cosmetic procedures without expert medical guidance.
Educate and Build Awareness
Learn media literacy. Understand that most advertisements are designed to sell insecurity.

Conclusion
There is nothing wrong with wanting to look beautiful—until that desire begins to disrupt mental peace, health, identity, and self-worth. The real problem arises when societal expectations and digital illusions replace self-acceptance.
The challenge today is not how to look perfect but how to stay authentic.
Real beauty lies in strength of character, health, confidence, and kindness—not in layers of makeup or surgical modifications.

Let us redefine beauty—where self-worth is not measured by appearance, but by inner strength.
(STRAIGHT TALK COMMUNICATIONS EXCLUSIVE)