Is it normal to... hate how you look?

Do you ever look in the mirror and hate what you see? If so you’re not alone. Everyone has something they don’t like about their appearance, whether it’s spots, bad hair or a big bum. But, for some people, their body confidence issues can lead them to take extreme and potentially dangerous measures.

In a world where we’re constantly bombarded with images of stick-thin supermodels, super-buff action heroes and fashion shoots from designers who can’t seem to count past size zero, it’s no wonder we’re left feeling a bit inadequate. But the truth is those picture-perfect celebs we worship aren’t exactly what they seem…

In Gok’s Teens: The Naked Truth, stylist Gok Wan reveals the sneaky tips and trick used to make models look perfect on a professional fashion shoot. Catch this episode on All 4.

Body Beautiful?

When you look at celebrities in fashion photos, Hollywood movies or glossy billboard adverts you’re not actually seeing reality – you’re seeing the result of a whole range of tricks, illusions and manipulations at every stage of that image’s production.

Beautiful freaks

For a start, it’s the hot celebs who are actually the physical freaks. We’re not being bitchy here, it’s actually estimated that only 5% of us are even capable of achieving the ‘perfect’ body that the media sells us, so these beautiful creatures are, in fact, about as far from average as you can possible get.

The entourage

As well as winning the genetic lottery, these stars also have resources we can only dream of. They’ll often employ an army of dieticians, personal trainers and stylists and some may even have image consultants at their beck and call, monitoring every photo and video they put out there.

Airbrushing the truth

If you think that the camera never lies, think again. As soon as they get on set, models and celebs are made over by top hairstylists and professional makeup artists before being dressed in designer outfits by big-name stylists. Next, they’re shot by talented directors and photographers using lighting rigs and camera kits costing tens of thousands of pounds. Finally Photoshop kicks in. Skilled photo editors spend hours smoothing, stretching, airbrushing and distorting every aspect of the image until it fits an idea of perfection that no longer resembles any form of reality.

Impossible beauty

When it comes down to it, beauty is not only a full-time job for these glamorous celebrities but it is a team sport too. In real life even the stars themselves don’t look like the images we see of them so it’s no wonder us mere mortals wince when we look in the mirror or struggle to pull off the perfect selfie!

Low body confidence: the dangers

Comparing yourself to celebrity beauty role models can understandably dent your body confidence. Experts believe that the desire to achieve unrealistic images of beauty can lead to psychological problems such as eating disorders and depression or unhealthy behaviours such as steroid abuse or an addiction to cosmetic surgery. If you’re worried about your negative body image, it’s crucial to seek help ASAP. Check out our article on body shape for more info on eating disorders and body dysmorphia and check out our support links for more resources.