The
Fallacy of the “Quick Fix”
A
while back I wrote about a reality show from MTV that transformed
teens into look-a-like movie stars using laser acne treatment
and plastic surgery as the main way to treat acne. In that case
it was a young kid wanting to look like Brad Pitt. Now there’s
a new show from MTV called “Made.” Since I receive
lots of information from news stories dealing with acne, this
new show got my attention because it deals with issues that all
teens deal with: self-esteem and acne.
However,
the show is disappointing because it seems to be focusing on same
things as the show I wrote about earlier; instant perfection equals
happiness. Only this time with a new spin. I can’t help
but notice how these ideas have been recycled in television and
given a new name with new publicity; but in the end they all end
up being the same old thing.
This
show has taken an “Extreme Makeover”/”Biggest
Loser” spin to help teens lose weight, improve their complexion,
and become models while the show tries to express the value of
how a healthier complexion improves your social life. It seems
it’s the mission of MTV to transform all the social “rejects”
and turn them into Hollywood cliché’s.
The
story I read was about a teen that was unhappy with being overweight
and having severe acne that caused pockmarks
and scarring on his face. Since the main point of the show is
to make these kids model material, the transformation took on
many aspects of his life such as developing an exercise routine
and, of course, getting laser treatment and plastic surgery to
clear his skin.
When
asked what he thought about this opportunity he was enthusiastic
about changing the way he looked but he said that, “it was
something that seemed so out of reach” that he never took
the initiative to change on his own. When the show took interest
in him he though his dream was finally realized.
So
MTV cut his hair and gave him highlights. His coin-sized ear piercing
was sewn up. He was fitted with contact lenses. He woke up at
5.45 a.m. five day a week to work out—he went from 232 pounds
to 199. He took styling lessons on how to be a model. And he received
treatment to improve his skin.
When it was all over he got his wish and had a complete makeover
fit for a model. He took to the runway initially and since then
has quite modeling and continued playing in his heavy metal band
in malls and dirty garages.
Another
success story! Or is it?
Although
it is great that he was able to transform himself with the help
of MTV, the story still lacks something. From what I’ve
read it seems like the show has completely missed the point. Instead
of emphasizing the importance of understanding how to take care
of oneself through consistent treatment and exercise, the show
insinuates that the best and most effective way to improve your
skin is through laser treatment or having your face completely
restructured through plastic surgery and getting a crash course
in personal exercise. The “Quick Fix” for treating
acne isn’t an option for most people.
These
shows have their place, they are a great motivator and show positive
aspects of staying healthy, but I just hope that people aren’t
duped into thinking that taking care of their skin means a simple
surgery. There is no quick fix. Lets face it (excuse the pun)
the majority of us aren’t going to get all our personal
trainers or extreme acne treatments given to us by MTV. We take
care of ourselves anyway because it makes us healthier and happier
people. We don’t need a television show to tell us that.
