Barbie at 50: Do patients want to look like Barbie?

Barbie is an icon of feminine beauty that seems to mirror our society's obsession with youth and appearance.  No matter how old she gets, Barbie stays firm, slim, pert, and pouty.  Do you think Barbie has in some ways led to patients requesting impossible dimensions and hard-to-maintain youthful appearances?

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6 answers to “Barbie at 50: Do patients want to...”

A: Bad Girl Barbie ! BAD Girl....

Peter A. Aldea, MD

I disagree with many of your statements in :"Barbie is an icon of feminine beauty that seems to mirror our society's obsession with youth and appearance. No matter how old she gets, Barbie stays firm, slim, pert, and pouty. Do you think Barbie has in some ways led to patients requesting impossible... more

A: I don't see much influence

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD

We all want to look good unless very eccentric.  On my website I have a chapter on "vanity" which I would recommend as a realisitic way of viewing body image, including occasional plastic surgery. http://www.zubowicz.com/subpag,43-atlanta-buyer-beware.htm

A: It seems that many people in our society have an...

Charles Crutchfield, MD

It seems that many people in our society have an obsession with youth for beautiful appearance. The toy Barbie doll is one example of this. She has been an icon for the last four decades because she stays "perfect". Do you think that Barbie has, in some way, led to unrealistic expectations in... more

A: Barbieless in Seattle

Sam Naficy, MD

Fortunately, the vast majority of my patients are not requesting impossible dimensions or hard-to-maintain youthful appearances. Most of us in the cosmetic industry occasionally see a patient with BDD (body dysmorphic disorder) or those with unrealistic expectations, and hopefully we have the common sense to... more

A: Happy Birthday, Barbie! Honestly, I do not think that...

Jonathan Hoenig, MD

Happy Birthday, Barbie! Honestly, I do not think that Barbie, the doll, has led patients to requesting hard-to-maintain appearances. There are many reasons why we strive to maintain youthful appearances: media pressure (digitally enhanced photos in magazines and use of very young models), competition in the... more

A: Barbie has been around for a very long time, and only...

Mary Lupo, MD

Barbie has been around for a very long time, and only recently has the desire for facial rejuvenation become main-stream. Patients now are smarter and understand that the best results are more natural and soft because of less invasive procedures and the fact that patients are PREVENTING the signs of aging by... more

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