I have discussed here the complex relationship between beauty and human health and
happiness. The rising visibility of cosmetic surgery, eating disorders, body building,
dieting pills, silicone injection, and other consumer and medical practices has meant
new public awareness of the dangers of beauty. Cross-country surveys suggest a near
epidemic of appearance-related ‘low self-esteem’ (Etcoff et al. 2004). As beauty
industries – broadly defined to include the production of glamorous and sexy images –
become entrenched in new parts of the world, they have the potential to shape local
ideals and norms of sexuality, gender, and well-being. But to evaluate these changes
is tricky, requiring not just critiques of medicalization and commodification, but also
consideration of the shifting moral and economic value of beauty and health.