By Jessie Schirrick Posted April 15, 2015
I am a survivor of my own self-destruction. I once had long, healthy hair but because of my impulsive, subconscious need to drastically alter my appearance, I bleached it every six weeks for approximately a year until it was so damaged that it literally broke off. I traded my once perfectly healthy hair for a platinum blond fantasy and ended up with nothing but regret. I, of all people, understand the cost of taking our bodies for granted. My lifeless strands of hair served as a metaphor for the harm we do to our bodies in the name of vanity. I served my time; I suffered roughly a year growing my hair out in an effort to restore its former health.
Every time you dye your hair you are polluting it with harsh chemicals when you have perfectly good DNA that provides for just the right color.
The same can be said about tanning. I’m not saying that everyone should douse themselves in sunscreen every time they step outside but they shouldn’t go out of their way to expose themselves to extremely harmful UV rays via tanning beds. A tanning bed is basically an electric coffin; tanning bed users put themselves at a far greater risk of developing melanoma- the deadliest form of skin cancer, and for what? To sport an artificial skin tone that isn’t yours? Does it really count if it isn’t natural? I don’t think so.
In fact, most of the cosmetics industry is a scam, built on a foundation of lies that tell people their appearance doesn’t meet an imaginary, unattainable standard.
People need to realize that their natural physical traits are what make them unique and that it is important to feel comfortable in your own skin which isn’t possible if you’re constantly trying to alter it. In the grand scheme of things, appearance really isn’t that important. Tanned skin doesn’t earn you good grades, that nose job won’t capture the man of your dreams, and you won’t achieve instant happiness by dyeing your hair.
