Body Dysmorphia is an anxiety disorder where the sufferer will obsess about minor flaws that normal people will feel are irrelevant.  They will spend a lot of energy obsessing about perceived physical flaws and looking for a solution for their “problem”.

We have all heard stories about celebrities that take plastic surgery a little (a lot) too far and whilst these extreme cases are very obvious.  The fact is that this, like any other disorder, comes in different degrees and severities.

So what do we do…well…we are not doctors and therefore we are not in a position where we can or should treat anyone with an image disorder.  This is so outside of our scope of expertise that we should not even think for a nano second that it’s ok to touch them.

You may be thinking, but it’s only an eyebrow wax, or tint…if it makes them happy why not?

The reason is that in this business people don’t come to us for good brow, or nice skin.  The root of why the beauty industry exists is because people that come to us want us to make them happy.  There is no other reason.  Our responsibility is to make sure that every person that pays us for a service walks out with a big smile.

Body Dysphormia will not allow us to do our job.  Yes, we could tattoo the best brows of our life, we could give them a wonderful facial and still, we will never be able to do the core of our job properly.  We would never be able to make them happy and in so, we have failed.  Failing to give someone what they came in for and charging them for the privilege is nothing short of immoral.   You have a duty to turn them away.

These simple questions, courtesy of Rhode Island Hospital, can be added to your treatment forms and will give you a good idea if you’re dealing with someone at risk.  Remember that they may not know it themselves.

 

1. Are you very concerned about the appearance of some part(s) of your body which you consider especially unattractive?

Yes
No

If yes: Do these concerns preoccupy you? That is, do you think about them a lot and wish you could worry less?

Yes
No

2. How much time do you spend thinking about your defect(s) per day on average? Add up all the time you spend on this.

Less than 1 hour a day
1-3 hours a day
More than 3 hours a day

3. Is your main concern with how you look that you aren’t thin enough or that you might become too fat?

Yes
No

4. What effect has your preoccupation with your appearance had on your life?

a. Has your defect(s) often caused you a lot of distress, torment, or emotional pain?

Yes
No

b. Has your defect(s) often significantly interfered with your social life?

Yes
No

c. Has your defect(s) often significantly interfered with your school work, your job, or your ability to function in your role (e.g., as a homemaker)?

Yes
No

d. Are there things you avoid because of your defect(s)?

Yes
No

The more YES answers, the more likely someone will be to have a problem.

Working in Harley Street I have seen people in the waiting room of my building (not there for me) and I want to say to them STOP, please, more filler is not the answer to your problems.  I am shocked that doctors carry on treating these people who are on the verge of deformity instead of referring them to a mental health professional.

There is nothing you can do to help these people and you will never be able to meet their expectations.  You will loose sleep because nothing you do will ever be good enough.  The only right thing to do is to refer on to a mental health professional or ask them to go to their GP for a referral.  We are very lucky to have the NHS which is there for all of us.  Don’t be afraid to ask your clients to seek help.

Know that your concern may be what this person needs in order to seek help.   Turning them away may be the best thing anyone has ever done for them.