Isotretinoin (Accutane) Use

Acne is one of the most common issues that adolescents face. Suffering from acne can have a dramatic effect on one’s self esteem and body image. Severe acne can last for a prolonged period of time, result in scarring, and may not be effectively treated by over-the-counter treatments or treatments prescribed by a dermatologist. Isotretinoin,…

Modification of Pubic Hair

During puberty often one of the first signs of development is marked by growth of body hair, which occurs in both males and females. Specifically, pubic hair will begin to grow around the base of the penis in males and on the mons in females.6 Although this hair is perfectly natural as some people get older…

Loving Your Breasts

Why Should You Love Your Breasts?  When it comes to body image, we are almost always our harshest critics. And for females, breast size is often a sensitive subject. However, normal, healthy breasts come in all different shapes and sizes. The media’s portrayal of the female body often makes people feel inadequate in comparison. It…

A Guide to Proper Hygiene

Proper hygiene is one of the simplest and most effective methods of disease prevention. It encompasses the maintenance of healthy teeth, personal confidence, and good habits.1 In most cultures, hygiene is a key component of both socialization and as the development of relationships that are both sexual and non-sexual in nature. Improper hygiene can be attributed…

Looking Past Body Image To Enjoy Your Sex Life

The term “body image” refers to the subjective mental picture you have of your physical appearance. This can pertain to small details about yourself such as your hair, weight, or complexion, or it could be regarding more intimate details such as your physique or genitalia—your external reproductive organs, usually male or female. Your thoughts about…

Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) in Men who have sex with Men (MSM)

Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) is a mental health disorder where an individual obsesses over a single or multiple feature(s) of their body that they perceive as abnormal, deformed, ineffective, or unattractive. The perceived flaws are often imperceptible or insignificant to others.2 BDD affects people of all ages, genders, and sexualities. It is often correlated with anxiety and low…

Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD)

Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) is an obsessive preoccupation with a perceived or imagined defect or flaw in personal appearance that others generally do not see.1 The individual may focus on any part of the body and the preoccupation may involve multiple body parts at the same time. Preoccupation with one’s nose, chest, stomach, hair, or…

Importance of a Positive Self-Image

In today’s world it can be difficult to build and maintain a positive self-image – however, it is both possible and important to do so. Unfortunately, studies have shown that significant populations of women, as well as some men, are dissatisfied with their bodies and/or suffer from low self-confidence and self-esteem, which can have extremely…

Improving Your Body Image

Being unhappy with your own body is challenging. Many people go through periods of time where they struggle with body-image issues. Struggling with insecurities related to one’s body can sometimes feel inescapable. However, there are many ways to work on body insecurities that can help alleviate the burden of fixating on one’s appearance. External Forces…