You’re 20% more beautiful than you think…
Now this is not just my opinion.
This statement is actually based on scientific research. I learned this recently while reading The Beauty Prescription: The Complete Formula For Looking and Feeling Beautiful by Debra Luftman, M.D. & Eva Ritvo, M.D.
This book which is written by a Beverly Hills Dermatologist and a South Beach Psychiatrist, really had a lot of eye-opening tid-bits of information in it. According to these two physicians, women view themselves 20% less attractive than others perceive them. “Many people stand before the mirror as though they’re having a mug shot taken. There’s none of the personality, fire, or swagger that they exhibit in the real world. Your reflection is simply not the whole you. Others also see your charisma, wit, kindness, empathy, intellect, talent-whatever makes you special.” In other words the world sees you as more than the sum of your parts.
Evidently this book was a collaboration of two friends, a Dermatologist and Psychiatrist. While they practiced different specialties they found they were treating the same patients with the same concerns and found a powerful connection between self-esteem and physical appearance. They noticed when their patients received help in one area, they improved in the other.
The premise of The Beauty Prescription is the difference between “Innate Beauty” and “Evolving Beauty”. Innate beauty refers to beauty as a genetic purpose, to send signals to potential mates that one is healthy and able to bare children. The book also talks about study after study showing how “beautiful” people are often times more successful and tend to live better and longer lives. One study showed that the brain’s “reward circuitry” actually lit up on an MRI when young men viewed images of attractive female faces!
Just when I read enough about “Innate Beauty” to feel like the genetic cards were stacked against most of us, I got to the part about “Evolving Beauty”. This part of beauty is about how as our brains change with age and experience they are able to be “reprogrammed” as to what we find beautiful and attractive. They suggest that when you know and love who you are as a whole person and when you feel confident about yourself and your choices, it will automatically effect your physical appearance. Outer beauty influences your health, happiness, social status and success, and vise versa. If you look good you feel good, if you feel good you look good!
I enjoyed the fact that this book is packed with real advice on recognizing inner beauty and true wellness. They state that the purpose of the book is to come up with a new standard of self-worth that goes beyond physical beauty. The best part is the “beauty-brain” loop. You are who you think you are. You see yourself as you see the world. If you don’t think your beautiful, just look around you and see the beauty in life and in turn, you will be beautiful! I love books with little sidebars to read along the way and this one has “Beauty Busters”, which were little myths about beauty, mental health and cosmetic medicine. There are also some great quotes from prominent women, celebrities and beauty biz insiders.
Ok, I do have to mention that I’ve read many books on the subject of “beauty” and a lot of them are filled with “tests” to find your “true skin type” or your “real age”. Then they tend give you the same old lists of regimens and products that seem to be regurgitated by every single dermatologist that decided to write a book. This book has very little of that, it does have some practical tips on sunscreen and nutrition which are great. Unfortunately there is a small section on “shopping at the beauty counter with with Dr. Debra”. Once again I was disappointed to see almost all over-the-counter products, most of which are packed with synthetic ingredients and preservatives not to mention harsh exfoliating acids. Having tried an amazing amount of the products listed in the book, I will concede that while these products may not be the root of all evil, I am not a fan of them. It may be a while till the dermatological book writing circuit realizes there are many more natural and non-inflammatory methods of taking care of the skin.*
So now that I’ve shared my humble opinion on The Beauty Prescription, my professional advice is: read it! You will find it refreshing and empowering!
The Beauty Prescription can be found on Amazon
* To learn more about me, my services and products, visit my website www.skinessentialswichita.com
