Absolutely. For me, body positivity means loving and accepting your body. And it is my own, self-determined decision whether I optimize it at one point or another – or not. And in the sense of “Together We Shine” it also means not commenting or evaluating other bodies – even well-intentioned comments can be hurtful and have negative effects on the other person. A healthy and relaxed mutual relationship with the body and its peculiarities, with lifestyles and aesthetic interventions – it’s time that all of this becomes a matter of course.
How do you experience dealing with aesthetic treatments in practice? Do you deal with it more openly and confidently today?
It is true that aesthetic treatments are hardly a taboo subject anymore – many clients come on the recommendation of their friends or even accompanied by relatives. Just a few years ago, aesthetic treatments were only communicated to friends on the quiet. But just like the open approach, I believe the demand for natural results, subtle optimization and non-invasive treatments is also increasing.
Beauty ideals, celebrity hypes or self-determination – why do women come to you?
In my day-to-day practice, women increasingly want an optimized version of themselves. Turning back the clock or feeling more beautiful and self-confident based on their own anatomical peculiarities. Fortunately, striving for ideals of beauty is less of an issue for my customers. I think it’s important to emphasize that striving for the perfect appearance – for example by stars, influencers or other people – not only fuels unrealistic expectations in oneself, but rarely increases one’s own satisfaction.
How do you think ideals of beauty have changed in recent years?
I think in the last few years the ideal of beauty has changed a lot for both men and women. Not so long ago, only very slim women were considered beautiful. Fortunately, that has now changed and women of all shapes and sizes are considered attractive and beautiful. Charisma and self-confidence – that’s what makes us really beautiful and it’s not just limited to appearances. This makes us strong and we shine from within.
Do you think social media has a negative effect on your own self-image?
I definitely see dangers here as well. Currently, the profile is often embellished with filters – presumably to please others better. If the reality then no longer corresponds to the self-portrait on social media, the desire for an aesthetic treatment may be accompanied by unrealistic expectations. And one should note: It is and remains an intervention in the healthy body that should be planned and weighed up. Of course we doctors want to help everyone feel better – but not at any price.
Do you also reject patients who come to your practice for the “wrong reasons”?
Definitive. In aesthetics, it is a particular duty of us specialists not only to carry out a comprehensive risk assessment in relation to planned interventions and treatments, but also to recognize when there are false motives or unrealistic expectations behind a desired treatment. In this respect, a consultation is never a promise of treatment, but rather a planning dialogue with an open outcome – in fact, this means that a treatment can also be rejected by both sides.
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