Today’s definition of beauty is ever-evolving. However, the concept of beauty in the world we live in is subjective and influenced by various factors including cultural norms, social media, and personal preferences. While beauty is generally associated with physical attractiveness, symmetry, and youthfulness, true beauty begins with how we feel.
Our internal feelings affect how we show up in the world. Advertising industries and social media platforms often promote a narrow and unrealistic standard of beauty that is usually only skin-deep, which can lead to body shaming and low self-esteem. Yet there is also a growing movement towards embracing diversity and inclusivity in beauty standards, with a focus on self-expression, individuality, and self-care. Ultimately, beauty is a complex and multifaceted concept that can be interpreted in different ways by different people and cultures.
Beginning within
It is important to understand the difference between internal and external confidence.
Inner confidence relates to the inner dialogue of one’s self-talk which often reflects in their outer expression of confidence. External confidence is the physical display through disposition that communicates to the “world” an individual’s confidence level. Internal confidence can often be curated through exterior self-care. After all, when we look our best we tend to feel our best and vice-versa. Engaging in self-care is a form of self-love and self-expression.
When we take time for ourselves and believe we are worthy to care for ourselves, this translates into supporting the foundation of inner confidence. Self-care such as facials and aesthetic treatments are intended to help oneself feel more attractive externally from appearing more youthful to addressing specific concerns. Looking our best has more to do with looking like our best self – not like someone else. Thankfully we are seeing trends unfold that support natural-looking aesthetic enhancements.
Todays Beauty Trends
Trends show that the days of overfilled body parts and faces are so 2015. Big lips, big cheeks, and extreme aesthetics are out – natural aesthetics is in. Natural as in “enhanced” but not overdone, and not altering far from what one naturally looks like. As a society, we are getting wiser and more intentional with our approach to aesthetic treatments, with many people seeking both natural-looking results and safer, longer-lasting options. There’s also been a shift to regenerative treatments that offer many noninvasive options for patients who are not ready for dermal fillers. Some of these options include using biostimulation treatments. Bio-stimulating products such as Sculptra and Radiesse are injected and they can stimulate a patient’s own collagen and elastin. Other popular options are PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) and PRF (Platelet Rich Fibrin) which can also be used for healing after laser treatments.
In addition to a shift towards more natural aesthetic outcomes, the beauty industry is starting to recognize and address the connection between aesthetic treatments and mental health. Mind, body, and soul are becoming the trifecta around which beauty services are being shaped around in order to treat a client comprehensively. Some of the elevated treatment combinations in various aesthetic practices include adding acupuncture and reiki with beauty services and even advanced care with Ketamine treatment for deep, internal healing and rejuvenation.
Beauty and the connection between inner and outer confidence will continuously shift, however, there are a few things that one could do regularly in order to care comprehensively for their mental and physical health plus overall well-being. Time in nature is always time well invested – from a walk with your furry companions to a hike. Practices like yoga and meditation are also helpful and have a cumulative effect on inner and outer confidence. Elevating one’s health through proper nutrition and sleep is also a wonderful best practice to develop. Lastly, once someone has addressed the basics of nutrition, fitness, and sleep, addressing things that Mother Nature or Father Time have imparted like sun damage, aging or genetic challenges can reveal a refreshed exterior for their inner confidence to shine through. A little self-care adds up over time and our daily habits create the cycles of our lives. Intentional choices to address how we feel from the inside out allow us to show up each day as our best self for those we love most, and the person in the mirror.
Written by Linda Rank
Linda Rank, Founder, soul&beautyMEDx
Respected as a visionary, and highly sought after for her specialized care, Linda Rank has been at the forefront of the aesthetic industry for over 20 years. As the Founder of soul&beautyMEDx, Linda has set the standard for the new era of excellence within the med spa industry. An established author, Linda developed her signature book, “Take Charge of Your Beauty,” to empower individuals with skincentric treatments and soul deep philosophies. Learn more: https://soulandbeautymedx.com/
