How Do Beauty Standards Affect Mental Health?
Takeaway: Most people are somewhat familiar with the idea of beauty standards, but how exactly do they impact us on a personal level? In this post, we’ll take a deep dive into the psychological effects of beauty standards: what they are, who they affect, and how to cope with them.
If you're a woman in the United States, chances are you've seen something on social media that's made you feel worse about yourself. One second you're mindlessly scrolling in between meetings or waiting your turn at the coffee shop, and the next you're feeling a vague sense of not good enough. Maybe you saw a very thin influencer in a coordinated athleisure look, a friend's vacation photos, or something more explicit like a targeted ad for botox. How does this impact your mental health when you have this experience dozens of times a day? How do beauty standards affect mental health?
Beauty standards can affect mental health and encourage negative body image for women regardless of what they look like. Women can experience judgment and criticism from others or from their own minds based on what they've internalized from the cultural norms. Discrimination can also cause severe negative mental health distress. Many women are left wishing they could stop caring about beauty standards, which sit in the intersection of social issues and individual psychology. As a licensed therapist, I understand that coping with the realities of beauty standards is part of the treatment of many mental health issues including body dysmorphia, eating disorders, anxiety disorders, and depression.
Beauty standards 101: Everything you need to know
Beauty standards are such an integral part of culture that it's hard to recognize them as anything other than normal. You might worry about how you look, but not have the words to describe why. Beauty standards are cultural norms that can feel like rules you have to follow. In fact, they do influence social power. Keep reading for a breakdown of what beauty standards are, common examples, where they come from, and how we're exposed to them.
What are beauty standards?
Beauty standards are a set of cultural beliefs that impact access to social power. They define how a person's face, skin, and body size and shape should look to achieve the highest possible level of social acceptance. Some beauty standards relate to features that can be modified and some relate to innate features. When we use words like "attractive," "pretty," "good looking," or describe someone as having "good" skin, a "nice" body, or being "in shape," we're talking about beauty standards.
It can be difficult to discern which features can be modified and which cannot. The refusal to attempt to modify one's appearance to meet beauty standards is seen as a failure or character or morality. For example, the choice to wear makeup is not based on anything innate or biological. However, beauty standards dictate that how much makeup, what types of makeup, and how it's applied should follow current trends. There can be social ramifications for either not choosing to follow current trends, not knowing about them, or not being able to afford to keep up.
Beauty standards change over time and geographic region. You might have heard the myth that there are universal "scientific" ways to tell how attractive someone is. If that were true, then we wouldn't see them changing over time and culture. Beauty standards are influenced by power structures like class, race, and gender.
Beauty standards have nothing to do with what makes a person lovable, desirable, or worthy. We can think about the experience of attraction and love as something that happens between two people whereas beauty standards are something that is created on a societal level. Beauty standards don't speak to the subjective experience of attraction. You don't even need to agree with beauty standards for them to have a psychological effect on your life.
The list below details a few examples of common beauty standards in the United States. Whether or not you personally hold yourself or others to these standards, you will probably find them to be familiar.
Examples of common beauty standards
light skin
thin body
hourglass body shape
"scientifically favored" face proportions
large eyes
small, thin nose
straight hair
clear, glowing skin with no texture
no wrinkles
"natural" makeup
clothing that follows current trends or is purchased from specific places
Where do beauty standards come from?
Beauty standards are dynamic and evolving. Their origins are based on the history, values, and current issues of any given cultural group. In the United States, beauty standards are deeply connected to white supremacy, capitalism, ableism, and misogyny. There is also contemporary importance to how consumers engage with marketing efforts, which products they buy, and what types of messaging they respond to. As cultural values change and influence consumer behavior, there are opportunities for changes in beauty standards.
In the United States, beauty standards center youth, whiteness, and wealth. This is not to say that every cultural group within the United States shares the same beauty standards. Beauty standards have been a part of U.S. culture long before social media, but social media has arguably impacted beauty standards among racial and ethnic groups both within the U.S. and globally. When we see the same types of faces and bodies over and over again online, it can be hard to remember that every culture has a distinct history and relationship to beauty standards.
There are so many ways we can try to understand where beauty standards come from. We can look at the history of beauty standards, market research, social media, and cultural values. Some will argue that beauty standards are biologically driven. When it comes to understanding how beauty standards affect mental health, the most important thing to remember is that there is no singular, universal, true standard of beauty.
How we’re exposed to beauty standards
We are exposed to beauty standards through a variety of mediums such as advertisements, social media, tv, and magazines. These mediums often depict images of models or celebrities who adhere to the previously discussed, rigid standard of beauty. This can influence our perception of what is considered attractive, and can lead to negative body image, low self esteem, and mental health problems when we don't perceive ourselves to match these standards.
Additionally, our friends and family can have a significant impact on our perception of beauty ideals. From a young age, we may learn about what is considered attractive through comments made by our loved ones. This can include compliments on physical appearance or criticisms of features that do not fit into societal norms. As we grow older, we may also seek validation or advice from our friends and family about our appearance, which can reinforce the ways in which beauty standards have become internalized.
Social media
Social media platforms such as Instagram and TikTok are notorious for promoting beauty standards through curated images and videos. Not only do influencers and celebrities with large followings set trends, but those who reinforce mainstream beauty ideals are more likely to gain large followings. The constant exposure to these images can create unrealistic beauty standards and negatively impact self esteem and body image. On the other hand, one could argue that social media increases our exposure to diverse bodies and appearances, which can increase positive body image and self image. It's important to do what you can to curate a feed that promotes a sense of positive body image, which only you can truly discern for yourself.
TV and movies
From commercials to TV shows, viewers are constantly exposed to images of individuals who fit into the conventional standard of beauty. The casting of actors and actresses who possess certain physical traits can perpetuate narrow beauty ideals. When we only see one set of beauty standards on screen, it can become so normalized that you can start to believe that everyone looks like that. Comparisons to actors can lead to feelings of inadequacy and low self esteem.
Parents, primary caregivers, and family
In my therapy practice, I've heard so many stories about memories of beauty standards passed onto my patients by their family members. Sometimes this is explicitly, like when someone is told that they're too fat by a parent. Other times, it's the more subtle perceptions of a child watching their mother get ready to leave the house. Some of these memories are sweet, enduring, or connective. Others are deeply painful and maybe even traumatic. For some parents, the motivation to pass on beauty standards is protective; it's believed to be better to first learn about the social hierarchies of appearance at home than outside of the home.
Friends
Our friends can expose us to beauty standards through the language they use to describe physical appearance, such as commenting on their own weight, other friends' bodies, or potential partners' physical traits. Unintentionally, friend groups can create an environment where individuals feel pressure to fit in and conform to a specific image of beauty, leading to negative body image and self esteem. It's important to note that friends can also support us and promote an incredible amount of self-acceptance.
Who is impacted by beauty standards
Beauty standards can impact individuals of all genders, ages, and backgrounds. Anyone who is exposed to beauty standards through media, culture, or social circles (translation: everyone) can be influenced by them. However, beauty standards disproportionately affect individuals who do not fit into the mold. Larger societal power dynamics influence what is considered to be "conventionally attractive." It's crucial to acknowledge that those who exist in larger bodies, have disabilities, or belong to marginalized communities may face discrimination and exclusion based on their appearance, leading to negative impacts on mental health and well being.
Women
Women are often objectified and judges based on their physical appearance. It can be difficult for women to be perceived and appreciated as whole, subjective people. This can lead to feelings of inadequacy and low self esteem. The beauty industry and media often perpetuate unrealistic beauty ideals that are difficult or impossible to achieve, which can lead to mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. Additionally, women may face discrimination and prejudice in their career opportunities and personal relationships based on their appearance. For example, a woman may be passed up for a promotion at work for being perceived as too concerned with her appearance, not concerned enough with her appearance, appearing too young, appearing too old, etc. This is a direct result of cultural objectification of women.
People of color
Beauty standards can impact people of color more than their white peers due to the historical and ongoing systemic oppression and marginalization they face. Western beauty standards, which are often white-centric, exclude and stigmatize people of color, perpetuating the idea that Eurocentric features and lighter skin tones are more attractive. This can further exacerbate both experiences of discrimination and internalized feelings about oneself. Furthermore, there is a documented connection between idealizing thinness as a way of upholding a constructed idea of whiteness. I recommend this book to learn more.
Those living in fat bodies
We live in a country that absolutely glorified thinness. Fat people may face discrimination at work, in healthcare settings, and in personal relationships. Positive body image for those living in fat bodies is not just an individual concern; fat acceptance is an important societal issue. Someone of any size can experience negative feelings about their weight, but that doesn't mean they have the additional burden of facing discrimination based on their size.
Those with eating disorders
Beauty standards can harm those with eating disorders by reinforcing and perpetuating unrealistic ideals of thinness and perfectionism. The constant exposure to equating thinness with goodness can fuel disordered eating behaviors. It's important to note that someone can have an eating disorder or disordered eating behaviors at any size. The myth that only people in smaller bodies can have eating disorders can prevent individuals from seeking treatment and can even lead to some healthcare professionals discriminating against those in larger bodies who do seek care.
LGBTQ+ individuals
Beauty standards can impact LGBTQ+ individuals by reinforcing gender norms and heteronormative standards of attractiveness. LGBTQ+ individuals who do not conform to traditional gender roles or heteronormative beauty ideals may face discrimination. It can be difficult to find style and beauty inspiration in a culture that caters to narrow gender roles.
The relationship between beauty standards and mental health
The impact of beauty standards on mental health is a growing concern. Research has shown that unrealistic beauty standards can lead to feelings of low self-esteem, negative body image, anxiety, depression, social isolation, and eating disorders. Let's get a bit deeper into the relationship between beauty standards and mental health and what you can do about it.
Psychological effects of beauty standards
The psychological effects of beauty standards can be profound and far-reaching. Sometimes in my therapy practice I hear concerns that worrying about one's appearance is shallow or superficial. However, the impact of beauty standards on our mental health, self-esteem, and body image has been extensively studied. In this section we will delve into the detrimental consequences of exposure to and striving for unattainable beauty standards.
Low self esteem
It can feel like if you don't look the way you want to look, you can't be the person you want to be. Experiencing low self esteem is not a mental health diagnosis, but it can certainly be a part of understanding mental health problems and overall well being. It's difficult to live the life you want to live, pursue intimate relationships, and take meaningful risks in your career when struggling with low self esteem.
Negative body image
When someone experiences negative body image, it isn't only about their feelings towards their bodies. They may feel dissatisfied with their appearance, but they may also feel a deep sense of shame and embarrassment for how they look. One way I often hear this presented in my work as a mental health therapist is that one can feel guilt and self-blame for how they look, as if it is within their control.
There is a widely held cultural belief that diet and exercise give us total control over how our bodies look. It can take a good amount of time, support, and processing to understand the deeper meanings of negative body image. In my professional experience, it is unlikely that if someone feels such distressing levels of shame and guilt related to negative body image that they won't also experience that pattern in other areas of their life.
Eating disorders
Eating disorders are complex, serious, and caused by a combination of genetic, psychological, and environmental factors. It would be incredibly overly simplistic to suggest that beauty standards alone cause eating disorders and disordered eating behaviors. However, it's also impossible to ignore the relationship between cultural worshipping of thinness and a mental health disorder characterized by restriction, bingeing, and purging in an attempt to control one's weight. Eating disorders are diagnosable mental health disorders. It is also possible for someone to develop disordered eating behaviors that don't meet the criteria for any one diagnosis, but that still cause great distress and disruption to their lives. You can learn more from the National Eating Disorder Association.
Anxiety
When we constantly compare ourselves to unrealistic beauty ideals, we can feel inadequate and ashamed of our appearance, leading to anxiety that we "should" be doing something about it. This can look like anxiously looking up before and after photos of a cosmetic procedure, impulsively buying a cart full of makeup or skincare, or excessively worrying about how others perceive your looks. This is not to say that you have a diagnosable anxiety disorder if you do these things, but more so to illustrate some ways this could be experienced.
Social isolation
Fears about what to wear, how you'll look, or generally believing that people won't like you based on your appearance can all contribute to increased risk of social isolation. The hardest part about social isolation is that it can become a self-fulfilling prophecy. The more you are isolated, the more you're only going to be exposed to images of people in the media. As previously discussed, this means you're cut off from seeing diverse representation of people living, loving, and being loved regardless of how they do or do not fit into narrow standards of beauty.
Depression
In addition to social isolation, a deep seated belief of not being "good enough" can contribute to an experience of depression. Depression is not about just feeling sad, depression is a mental health disorder characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a lack of interest or pleasure in activities that one once enjoyed. Depression can be caused by a combination of genetic, environmental, and psychological factors and requires professional help. It isn't difficult to imagine that coping with the impacts of large, societal issues like objectification of women and fat-phobia would increase a person's risk for developing depression.
Coping with the psychological effects of beauty standards
Beauty standards are ubiquitous in our society, constantly reinforced through both media and social interactions. While beauty is subjective, beauty standards are rigidly defined. As much as this is a multifaceted systemic problem, there are individual actions you can take to cope with the negative psychological effects like low self esteem, anxiety, depression, and disordered eating. Coping with these effects can be challenging, but can lead to increased sense of connection with self and others, body satisfaction, self acceptance, and decrease in distress due to mental health disorders. Beauty standards aren't going away anytime soon, but you're not alone in your struggle.
Find community
Finding community to foster positive body image and support healing from harmful beauty standards is so important. You can start with talking openly with your friends and family about your feelings. There are also incredible online spaces where you can connect with people who practice body neutrality, meaning they intentionally work to divorce concepts like self-worth from body size. You can even do something as simple as going through your social media feeds and unfollowing anyone who gives you a gut feeling of not feeling good enough. Try to follow a diverse set of accounts that show people of all ages, sizes, and racial backgrounds living their lives with the nuances of joy and challenges.
Define personal style
When you're struggling with a distorted body image that makes you feel like anything you wear is wrong, it can be transformational to discover clothing and grooming styles that make you feel like yourself. There can be gatekeeping around what kinds of bodies get to have fun with fashion, and I hope to continue to see more stores offering inclusive styling and using a diverse range of models. It might be helpful to work with a personal stylist who has experience helping people of all shapes and sizes. This can be so helpful in developing a positive body image and increasing body satisfaction.
Improve relationship to food
Improving your relationship to food is not just about improving physical health, it's actually a really important part of healing from the negative impacts of beauty standards. Not everyone who feels poorly about their appearance struggles with pressures of "healthy eating," but many do. When possible, recommend working with both a therapist and a registered dietitian to improve one's relationship with food. Weight-neutral registered dietitians can help you incorporate the principles of intuitive eating into your life, which can reduce the anxiety you might be feeling around food.
Go to therapy
Of course! Psychotherapy can have far reaching benefits for mental and physical health. Therapy can be beneficial for those with a diagnosable mental health disorder and for anyone who struggles with the impacts of beauty standards and mental health.
Therapy can help you work through the body image concerns caused by harmful beauty standards.
Through regular sessions with a licensed therapist, you can explore your thoughts, feeling, and experiences related to body image and harmful beauty standards in a non-judgmental and supportive environment. A therapist can provide and safe, designated space to explore and understand the root causes of negative body image. Of course, it is crucial to work with a licensed therapist if you're also experiencing depression, anxiety, or disordered eating.
In my work with my therapy clients, I use psychodynamic techniques. I find that this framework allows for the richness of one's experience both personally and in society at large to be understood with compassion and dignity. Psychodynamic therapy techniques allow us to examine both conscious and unconscious beliefs about oneself and relationships, which I find leads to greater self-acceptance and a greater capacity for deep connection to oneself and others. It's incredible what a powerful antidote this can be to the harmful impacts of beauty standards.
I am able to work with therapy patients in both Michigan and Pennsylvania. My office is in Detroit, Michigan and I provide telehealth services to clients all over the states of Michigan and Pennsylvania. You can schedule a complimentary consultation here.