The human body is a truly amazing well-oiled machine, but it can also be vulnerable to illness, injury, and, honestly, the wear and tear of life. And, while you are perfect just the way you are, social expectations and media hype can create a stigma around certain conditions or issues. Most women naturally want to look and feel their best and present this “best version” of themselves to the world. When we aren’t born with what we think is beautiful or things slip as we live and age, self-consciousness and even embarrassment can set in.
Know that we are all imperfect and have flaws. Yeah, even those movie stars and models. Understand that we must find a way to accept what we can’t change and work with what we’ve got. Yes, we can improve ourselves in many ways, and it certainly is no crime to do so. Just make sure you love yourself and treat your body, mind, and life with respect as you move closer to the woman you want to be. Speaking of those pesky flaws, here are some common ones we can talk about, and maybe even come up with some solutions. Feel free to add your two cents in the comments if you have something to add.
Excess Skin and Stretch Marks
Losing weight is one of the most common goals shared by millions of women across the land. While successfully shedding the pounds is a huge achievement, it may not leave you completely happy with your body. Though losing a small amount of weight won’t typically cause any problems, losing a lot can leave you with excess skin and stretch marks. This commonly happens after pregnancy and after someone loses a significant amount of weight.
There are several ways to combat this issue, though. Surgery may be an option for some, depending on the situation and health of the patient. Alternatively, various creams and skin treatments can aid the skin’s elasticity, as will good hydration and nutrition. If you are about to embark on a weight loss journey, try to avoid losing too fast. In fact, consult your doctor or a nutritionist for the best plan to meet your needs.
Poor Sight
Bad vision is a health condition that impacts millions. Unfortunately, a lot of people allow vanity to stand in their way of wearing corrective eyewear. I get it, but, honestly, our eyes are far more important than just about anything, if you think about it. In truth, there are some pretty swanky glasses out there. And, there are always contacts. Alternatively, consider laser eye surgery if you are a good candidate. Your eye doctor should let you know if this procedure would benefit you.
Post-Pregnancy Problems
Having a baby is one of the most beautiful things a woman can do, but it can take a toll on the body. There are some surprising flaws that you may not even have thought about if they didn’t happen to you. Things like incontinence, hair loss, and cognitive issues. Needless to say, just one of these things would send any woman into hiding.
Fortunately, when the hormones get back to normal, most of the weird symptoms will subside. Meanwhile, if you’re blissfully still in the post-pregger time period, know that there are incontinence medical supplies, hair restoration products, and, well, you might have to write things down more for the brain fog.
Dark Spots
The skin is the largest organ of the human body and serves as a protective barrier. For this reason, it’s going to show its age and wear and tear. Dark spots can show up for several reasons, like age, sun exposure, and genetics. They can appear just about anywhere on your body, but the places we hate are the face, neck, chest, and hands.
There are some procedures that assist with dark spots but are done by professionals. These include microdermabrasion, chemical peels, lasers, and kojic acid. There are also a number of creams, serums, and skin lightening lotions available to help restore your natural skin tone.
Bad Teeth
Unfortunately, we all don’t have a mouth full of beautiful straight, white teeth. Any faults with the mouth can impact our self-esteem and even how much we smile or whether we do at all. Cosmetic dentistry is really the only way to fix the alignment issues. You do have options, as far as what type and how long the treatment will last.
If it’s tooth discoloration that is bringing you down, your dentist can also do in office treatments that are best for your specific situation. You can also purchase OTC versions of teeth whitening kits in your local drugstore or market. I recommend looking up reviews for the various products to see which one will work the best for you. If you have sensitive teeth, I would ask your dentist for a recommendation.
Mental Health Issues
Though things are getting better, there is still a substantial stigma surrounding some mental health issues. Therefore, it can be difficult for some women to seek support. Do know that ignoring any mental health changes could be dangerous and even life-threatening. Every year when I go for my physical, I have to fill out a questionnaire, asking about my state of mind. I love that my doctor does this because, so often, these things can get missed by healthcare professionals. That said, it is our responsibility to pay attention to how we feel and get help if needed.