KARACHI:
Has beauty become so expensive that people are willing to risk their skin to meet society’s expectations? In Pakistan, fair skin and flawless features are often considered the standards of beauty, creating unnecessary pressure on young people, particularly girls.
Consider a young girl who starts using whitening creams after being teased about her natural complexion. Hoping to look fairer, she tries different products, only to experience skin irritation and burns. Instead of gaining confidence, she ends up harming her skin because she feels pressured to meet society’s expectations.
Many people use whitening creams, chemical treatments and other beauty products without understanding their potential risks. Some products can cause allergic reactions, irritation and long-term skin damage. The pressure also extends to expensive beauty parlour treatments, which can make people feel that looking beautiful requires spending beyond their means.
Social media further strengthens these unrealistic expectations by promoting edited photographs and filtered appearances as natural beauty. The real concern is not the use of makeup or skincare products, but the belief that a person’s worth depends on their complexion or physical appearance.
There is a need to raise awareness about unsafe beauty products and challenge the idea that fair skin is superior to darker skin. Beauty parlours should prioritise safety and transparent pricing, while society must learn to appreciate people beyond their appearance.
Beauty should build confidence, not burn skin, burden wallets or make anyone feel ashamed of who they are.
Samina Maryam
Sukkur
