In My Skin
These images are from a project called In My Skin about young people under 25 in the UK who are challenging their body image. I am looking at those who have had or are considering having cosmetic surgery in order to become more acceptable to themselves and achieve their ideal of being ‘beautiful’. Social consensus in Western society today is particularly focussed on physical beauty and achieving and maintaining the “perfect” face and body. Intertwined with this I am also documenting body dysmorphia as young people try and conform to this social expectation resulting in eating disorders and body transformation. Lastly I am documenting transgenderism and the struggle young people have to live within a body they were born into but have no affiliation with.
Twins, 20 years old– Nicola, recovering from anorexia and Rachel, body enhancement
Jasmine, 17 years old, Botox
Roland, 19 years old, alias Lady Gaga
Jade, 20 years old, hair extensions and tattooed eyebrows
Abbey, 19 years old, face and body enhancement
Saraya, 20 years old, body and lip enhancement
Jason, 19 years old, body builder
Amy, 21 years old, body enhancement
Ellie, 23 years old, tattoos
Hannah, 17 years old, Botox
Ben, 17 years old, hair removal
Paige, 16 years old, awaiting breast augmentation
Michael, 22 years old, body enhancement
Hannah, 20 years old, body and face enhancement
Ollie, 19 years old, anorexia
Cambell, 16 years old, transitioning male to female
Matt, 18 years old, transitioning female to male
John, 19 years old, gender neutral
Jackie, 18 years old, transitioned male to female
Shaye, 21 years old, transitioning female to male