NAN-ELS-1
Beauty
By Anita Eboigbe
Abuja, Aug. 9, 2017 (NAN) Some residents of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have reacted differently to the use of beauty or body enhancers supposedly to attract the opposite sex.
A correspondent of News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), who spoke with a cross section of FCT residents, reports that many of the respondents agree that trend is common with the womenfolk.
Beauty enhancers are the use of physical attachments, surgery or pills to improve or enhance the shape of the body purportedly to be more attractive.
Many young women, especially in their desires to look like their curvaceous favourite stars like U. S. Kim Kardashian, Nicki Minaj and Jennifer Lopez, among others go for such body enhancers.
Some of the body enhancers are breast implants; Botox – used temporarily to lessen the appearance of facial wrinkles, liposuction, surgeries and excessive make-up.
Some of those using enhancements claim that it helps to build their self-esteem and to keep their partners from cheating.
A relationship coach, Miss Dammie Layemi said, “women use beauty enhancements to meet up with certain demands of the modern world.’’
“It does not reduce the fact that a man will cheat if he wants to as a good number of men are truly insatiable.
“The rate at which women accept their natural bodies in the world today is devastatingly low which has increased the use of beauty enhancements.
“This can be on any part of their bodies including lips, buttocks, hips, facial structure or a complete makeover with use of heavy makeup.
“Lots of these women want to look like celebrities or the imaginary pictures they see on television and the internet, not knowing the price these people have paid for fame.”
Miss Arome Ochinama, a graphic designer said that women these days go to the extreme to look beauty through enhancements of the body.
“Most times the women forget that the practice is on the only face value and may hardly stop a man from cheating.’’
A youth corps member, Miss Oluchi Okoro advised women against extremity in beauty enhancement such as implants as they might have side effects.
“For some men, simplicity means a lot. They do not want all the shining makeup. Men want different things. Most important thing is being neat and presentable all the time.”
A microbiologist, Ms Tricia Imahe said that it was necessary for women to look good “because looking good attracts people’’.
“Some ladies are just hot or sexy and that is all they have to offer.
“If so much money or time is spent on enhancements and at some point such beauty becomes a liability and not an asset.
“This can push the man to go fishing again as attraction is not enough to stop a man from cheating. It all comes down to discipline.
“Sometimes, beauty extremism is not worth it, in fact most times, what the lady has to offer also contributes to a man’s loyalty.”
Another Youth corps member, Miss Moyin Ogunlolu who recounted her experience with a skin care expert said: “When I complained to a skin doctor about my spots and stretch marks, she mentioned things I was going to use which amounted to about N100, 000.
“I was amazed at the cost and realised that some ladies can pay that or more to look flawless and spotless.”
However, Seun Adu, a radio host, said “looks are very important in a relationship or marriage’’.
“It is the look that attracts the man first. Essentially, the looks of the lady rather than personality in a relationship is what makes the man want to have such lady as a wife.
“For other people, looks might not be essential, happiness, loyalty and security might be their play. Extreme enhancement is frowned at and unhealthy”
Demi Oludare, a banker said: “Character keeps a man. But it is only in rare cases that character attracts a man, it is always the looks.’’
“Not necessarily the figure but there must be something attractive in the looks. It could be the way you dress, make your hair, talk, smile and even your eyes.”
A writer, Fatiu Lawal explained that the way a woman continued to look to her man even after marriage would definitely contribute to how much he appreciates her.
“If the man still cheats, then it would not be because his woman is not gorgeous, it could be other reasons ranging from attitude to peer pressure.’’
He said that could be the reason why some people, especially women go for body enhancements.
A beauty expert, Ms Ruby Amaka of `Touch by Ruby’ said, “women should look good to feel good, pamper their skins and take good care of it.
“This is because it is the first thing people see that attracts them to you. These days, society would classify and treat you based on how good your skin looks.”
She, however added “men will always be men, cheating is in their nature. But I think when women look good; it helps their men stay with them more.
“Men like it when their women are representing with lovely skin tones and body curves. They are proud to take you anywhere and everywhere.
“They still find you attractive and want to come home to you all the time. Men are moved by what they see,” she said.
On the health implications of beauty enhancers, a medical practitioner, Dr. Joseph Dankade said that excessive use and risky beauty moves could lead to death in worse case scenarios.
“Lots of unsafe chemicals are used to make these beauty enhancers and the public is deceived to think these ingredients are safe.
“In fact, most of these chemicals have been linked to the causes of cancers.
“There can also be tissue infection or blood clots that could lead to life threatening lung conditions.’’
He added that many women and even men go extreme to look better including having surgical operations not minding the downsides.
Dankade listed surgical infections, rupture or deflation of the implants, Botox complication, internal bleeding and misshaping of the body parts as adverse effects of some beauty enhancers. (NAN)
AEE/GY
======
Edited by Grace Yussuf