Body Modifications and Body Image
Body modification and what that means for your body image.
To clarify, today I will be talking about body modification in the ways of plastic surgery, tattoos, cosmetic procedures like Botox or laser hair removal, etc. I know that there are body modifications in relation to religious and spiritual practices but those are not what I am going to be referring to today.
When I was working with teens in eating disorder treatment they would ask me “If you’re trying to tell us to accept our bodies just as they are, how come you have tattoos? Isn’t that an attempt to modify yourself?” I think this is a fair point and question, so let’s talk about it.
I will admit I used to be very judgmental when it came to people getting plastic surgery to modify their bodies. I have seen so much of the negative side effects of it and how it did not in fact heal someone’s body image as they had wanted it to. I also saw the physical negatives of having implants or the surgery itself and that the side effects are often not fully conveyed to the recipients. Now I feel that I am much more open and understanding of people wanting to modify their bodies and I think it is more about the root of WHY you want to.
Just like with my tattoos or getting laser hair removal, these procedures are available to me via modern science that I do because I want to, not because I don’t love my body. I know my tattoos will not heal the inner work I need to do on body acceptance and positivity. I know that not needing to shave my underarms anymore doesn’t suddenly make me have magical confidence, I just prefer to have no hair and it saves me time and energy. This is important because it is all about body autonomy and what you feelings about your body are within. I know that my wanting to have no body hair is rooted in body image ideals that are placed upon women-identifying people that you are more worthy with no hair. I have come to accept my body hair and am okay if I don’t shave, I just prefer to not have to. I also love that others have said “eff that” and chosen not to shave at all and have their natural hair grow and shine. Some people dye their hair, some don’t. Some people trim it down, others don’t. Make it all up to you and what you do with your body.
I feel the same about plastic surgery, botox, etc. Part of me is worried that we have normalized these procedures so much that we have a warped idea about what humans look like or allowing people to age “naturally” if they want to. So I want to be very aware of how prevalent this is. I think we need to talk more openly about what work has been done just like which photos have been photoshopped. Not in a way to shame anyone who has had cosmetic surgery, but rather just so we are all on the same page and that these people did not just “start eating healthier” or “started drinking this magical tea that helps me sleep” as a way to say they no longer have wrinkles or a smaller bottom. So again, I realized I was being too harsh on my view of this in the past, especially when you bring in the positives of plastic surgery in the trans community that can bring life-saving medical procedures for people to finally be able to feel themselves.
It is all about the root of WHY you want to modify your body.
Any body modifications are not going to be a quick fix to body acceptance and love. If you so choose to modify yourself in any way, I hope it is done BECAUSE you love your body and not because you hate it and want to “fix” it. In any interaction in the relationship with your body, approach everything with curiosity and compassion, rather than hatred or desperation.
When I approach getting tattoos or laser hair removal I do so with the knowledge that it is FOR me, not for how the outside world will PERCEIVE me.
Katy Gaston Nutrition
Katy is a registered dietitian nutritionist and owner of Katy Gaston Nutrition based in San Francisco, CA. Katy is passionate about her work in eating disorders and disordered eating (AKA dieting) and wants to help people heal their relationship with food and body. If you would like to work with Katy in counseling sessions, she is available virtually via her services page below. If you are unable to be a client at this time but would like learn more, click here for a free introduction into intuitive eating workbook!