Our culture profoundly impacts how we perceive and value ourselves. Our culture is our way of life. Our culture is our customs, fashion styles, languages, religions, rituals, arts, beliefs, and how we portray meaning to our experiences and what is around us. 

Our social expectations and social ideals can influence our self-esteem if we judge ourselves according to these influences. Influenced by a culture focusing on outward appearances, we may perceive ourselves positively or negatively. We may compare and contrast ourselves to what we see in the media, celebrities, social expectations, and ideals. We may experience complexities and challenges with our self-esteem due to cultural influences.   

People of all genders, ages, body types, cultures, and backgrounds are bombarded with media images by television, magazines, the internet, advertising, and more. These images are often unrealistic, unobtainable, highly stylized and edited, and promote beauty ideals for men and women in our society. 

Stylists, art teams, and digital manipulators fabricate these images to what is not realistic to maintain or often even achieve in healthy ways. If we feel that we do not measure up,  we may experience body dissatisfaction. Body dissatisfaction can damage our biopsychosocial health and wellness. However, by developing a positive body image, we can strengthen our emotions to become more confident and feel less affected by these mainstream influences.  

How Do You Feel About Your Body Image?

Your body image is the mix of thoughts and feelings you have about your body when you look in the mirror or picture yourself in your mind. 

To learn more about your body image, consider the following questions:

·      When you look at yourself in the mirror, what do you see?

·      How do you feel about the way you look? 

·      What do you like and dislike about your appearance, skin, height, weight, shape, and body parts?

·      What are your thoughts and beliefs about how you feel about your skin and body?

·      What do you do in response to how you look and feel about your skin and body?

·      Do you tend to stay home and decline invitations due to concerns about your skin or body?

·      Do your eating habits tend to differ from those of your friends and relatives?

·      Do you tend to panic if you cannot exercise as planned due to concerns about gaining weight, not building muscles, or other reasons?

·      Does it seem that people around you have become very interested in what you eat, and you find yourself becoming angry at them for pushing you to eat more or less?

Some people believe that they will become happier if they are thinner. Others think they will look better if they build more muscles. Remember that how you perceive your body is not always a correct representation of your appearance. For example, a person may perceive themselves to be fat when in reality they are underweight. 

Do You Have a Positive Body Image?

Our self-esteem affects every aspect of our lives. A positive body image can improve self-esteem. Positive feelings towards your body lead to competence, happiness, and the desire to engage in social activities. You are more likely to accept yourself and feel comfortable and happy with your appearance. You are less likely to feel impacted by the unrealistic images you see in media and societal pressures to appear a certain way.

What Happens When We Experience Body Dissatisfaction?

Our relatives, friends, acquaintances, teachers, neighbors, media, and a variety of others impact how we see and feel about ourselves and our appearance. A negative body image can lead to reduced self-esteem and difficulties with social engagement. When we experience negative thoughts and feelings about our body, we may experience body dissatisfaction. 

People who are dissatisfied with their bodies can become fixated on trying to change their actual body shape. Unhealthy practices do not usually achieve the desired outcome. They can result in more intense negative feelings such as disappointment, shame, and guilt. You may also increase your risk of health concerns.  

How Can We Boost Our Body Image?

It is important to remember that it is normal for our body and appearance to change. Our skin and body changes as we age, reduce or gain weight, become pregnant, after we deliver, and experience other life situations. We cannot change some aspects of our appearance. Genes determine our height, muscle composition, and bone structure. We are born this way. 

There are aspects we can change but remember that there are no right or wrong ways for body shape or appearance. Learning to accept your body figure is crucial to feeling confident about your weight, shape, size, and appearance. We have the power to perceive, feel, and think about our body in healthier ways. 

Let’s review a few ways to develop a healthier, more positive body image.

·      Focus on your positive qualities, skills, talents, and what you love about yourself and your body.

·      Appreciate all that your body can do and has done.

·      Chant positive affirmations daily.

·      Listen to upbeat, inspirational songs.

·      Stop talking to yourself in a negative or berating way.

·      Establish positive, health-related goals. Engage in practices with food and exercise that promote health rather than weight loss or management. 

·      Avoid comparing yourself to others. Everyone is unique. Our differences are what make us special. Admiring the beauty in others can be positive for your body confidence. And to accept yourself as a whole to feel prouder of your skin and body.

·      Consciously decide what you read, watch, hear, and surround yourself by and around. 

You will improve your biopsychosocial health and wellness by tuning into your body’s everchanging needs. A positive body image leads to healthier attitudes and relationships with food and exercise. Nourishing with food and appropriate physical activities are essential for healthy, glowing skin.

What are Common Appearance Concerns?

If you seek changes, focus on ways you feel are best for your health, wellness, and self. The BB Aesthetic team in Gahanna, Ohio, understands and compassionately offers specialized treatment and products by a team of experienced professionals. 

Let’s consider a few appearance concerns and how the BB Aesthetic team can help.

Did you know that 90% of visible skin changes such as lines, wrinkles, and dullness are caused by sun exposure? Sun care treatments and products offer anti-inflammatory properties to reduce inflammation and relieve various skin concerns. 

Acne

Acne is America’s most common skin condition, affecting up to 50 million Americans annually. Acne is also the eighth most prevalent disease worldwide. More than 90 percent of the world’s population is affected by acne at some point in their life. 

Acne is a skin condition that occurs when your hair follicles plug with excessive oil, bacteria, and dead skin cells. Signs range from uninflamed blackheads to pimples full of puss, or large, red, and tender bumps. 

Acne usually begins in our teen years, around the onset of puberty. In most cases, the number of acne breakouts you experience begins to decline in your early 20s. But this is not the case for all. Some people experience adult acne, which causes frustrating acne breakouts throughout adulthood. Also, some women experience new or worsening acne symptoms during pregnancy or menopause. 

To care for acne at home:

·      Clear acne blemishes by beginning your morning and evening skincare routine with the Purifying Foaming Wash.

·      Control acne and surface oil, neutralize bacteria, and prevent further breakouts by applying Acne Controlon the affected areas.

·      Spot correct and conceal skin imperfections while gently exfoliating pore-clogging dead skin cells and dirt with the Correct + Conceal Medium.

·      Reduce pore size and acne formation while controlling sebum with Oil Control Pads.

·      Cleanse, hydrate, extract, nourish, and soothe with the HydraFacial Rozatrol Booster designed to minimize the appearance of red, sensitized skin for a renewed complexion.

·      Normalize your skin with the five product system developed for red, sensitized skin.

BB Aesthetic offers Radiofrequency Microneedling to reduce the appearance of acne scars and stretch marks. Improve your skin’s appearance by stimulating collagen production. If you are currently experiencing an acne flare or active infection, allow those conditions to heal before undergoing a Microneedling procedure. 

Your BB Aesthetic professional will offer customized at-home and in-spa solutions to alleviate your signs, symptoms, and acne.

Melasma

If you see brown or blue-gray patches or freckle-like spots, contact BB Aesthetic to help assess if you experience melasma. The patches often appear on the forehead, nose, cheeks, upper lip, and forearms. Melasma frequently affects pregnant women. There may be color or shade changes as the seasons transition. 

Contact BB Aesthetic to learn more about the all-encompassing Pigment Control Program at-home system. This system treats melasma, hyperpigmentation, severe texture damage, and sun damage. 

Thinning Hair

While thinning hair does not necessarily cause baldness, you may experience sparse hair on parts of your head. Thinning hair can affect men and women.

Culturally, a full, vibrant head of hair symbolizes beauty or vitality. At BB Aesthetic, we offer Platelet-Rich Plasma Injection treatments to slow and even reverse thinning hair. 

Dark Circles 

Dark circles can lead to an older, sagging, tired appearance. Dark circles appear for many reasons, such as sleep deprivation, sleeping too much, allergies, thinning of the skin under the eyes, aging, smoking, and genetics. 

Including sleeping adequately, there are various ways you can alleviate dark circles at home and med spa.

·      Reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and dark circles while improving skin tone and texture by applying the TNS Illuminating Eye Cream in the mornings and evenings.

·      Reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and dark circles while smoothening and hydrating with the TNS Eye Repair. 

·      Minimize multiple signs of aging, including puffiness, dark circles, and fine lines, while supporting elasticity with the Eye Brightening Crème. 

·      Instantly brighten and re-energize your youthful eyes with the Instant Bright Eye Cream.

·      Plump healthy eye area skin and reinvigorate for a visibly revived appeal with the Growth Factor EYE Serum.

Enlarged Pores            

Although our pore size is primarily genetic, various factors also come into play. Our pores become clogged by dirt, debris, bacteria, makeup, dead skin, and other pollutants. Excessive sebum production can also clog our pores and make pores appear larger and more visible. 

·      Embrace control over your sebum with Oil Control Pads. 

·      Instantly minimize the appearance of pores for a matte finish with the Instant Pore Refiner.

·      Exfoliate with the Exfoliating Polish, Complexion Renewal Pads, Exfoliating Cleanser, or Dual Action Scrub. 

·      Shrink and refines pores with RF Microneedling.  

·      Rejuvenate, reveal your radiance, and exfoliate to deeply cleanse and uncover renewed skin extracts with The Diamond Glow.

BB Aesthetic offers revolutionary products and services formulated with evidence-based healthy ingredients to ensure you thrive with the best skin care possible. Contact us today to discuss your beauty concerns, goals, and how our products and services will help.

Be Bold. Be Beautiful. Be You.