Reply #10: I dunno... why does anyone alter their natural appearance???

[Dangerously Amused]

Insecurity (People will like me better if I change X about my appearance.)

Low Self-Esteem (I will like me better if I change X about my appearance.)

For Kicks (I've always wondered how I would look with X.)

Reclaim Lost Youth/Aged More Quickly Than Peers (Not ready to be gray/have droopy eyelids/ etc. yet.)

On A Dare/Lost A Bet

Peer Pressure (All my friends have had X done.)

For a Job (Gonna have to get X since I'll be getting camera close-ups.)

Flout Authority/Society/Parent (Hah, now that I'm a legal adult no one can stop me from getting the X I've always wanted!)

Send A Message (Gang/military/etc. tattoo.)

Post-Op/Birth Defect Surgical Reconstruction

Etc...


Bottom line, people do it to feel better about themselves. When I see someone who has dramatically altered his/her appearance, I can't help but think that s/he must be very unhappy inside to do that to the outside. And God knows what has happened in life to make one feel unattractive instead of aware of one's unique beauty. So I try to feel empathy more than judgment. Besides, why should they care if I think it looks horrible? - Obviously they are happy with the look and that's really all that matters.