The Harms of Beauty - (Studies in Social Harm) by Sam Barnes (Hardcover)

About the Book

Based on the author's thesis (Ph. D.)--Teeside University, 2021.

Book Synopsis

The beauty industry thrives on creating a sense of dissatisfaction with appearance, with social media adding pressure to conform to idealized images of beauty. This has led to a growing use of products for bodily improvement such as facial injectables and weight loss drugs, which have arguably become increasingly normalized throughout society.

This groundbreaking ethnographic study lifts the lid on the dark side of beauty - revealing why young people are willing to inflict self-harm in the pursuit of 'perfection' and exploring the motivations for using, buying and selling counterfeit beauty products and services.

Review Quotes

"The Harms of Beauty exposes the ugly side of the industries which charge our relentless yet futile pursuit of image perfection and delves deep into the everyday buyer and seller propping up the profits. Essential yet disturbing reading!" Daniel Briggs, Northumbria University

About the Author

Sam Barnes is Senior Lecturer in Criminology at Arden University.