Photographer Michelle Sank is the Edge of Humanity Magazine contributor of this photo essay.   To see Michelle’s body of work click on any image.

 

Elllie 21 years old - Tatooist
Elllie 21 years old – Tattooist

 

Michael 22 years old - Body enhancing supplements and body waxing
Michael 22 years old – body enhancing supplements and body waxing

 

Nicola recovering anorexic and Rachel Breast Augmentation 20 years old twins
Nicola recovering anorexic and Rachel breast augmentation 20 years old twins

 

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 focused 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.

 

John 19 years old - Gender Neutral
John 19 years old – gender Neutral

 

20 years old full body liposuction and lip fillers at 18
20 years old – full body liposuction and lip fillers at 18

 

Hannah 20 years old - lip fillers, breast augmentation, botox, body liposuction, rhinoplasty
Hannah 20 years old – lip fillers, breast augmentation, Botox, body liposuction, rhinoplasty

 

Jackie 19 years old - full transition surgery at 16
Jackie 19 years old – full transition surgery at 16

 

Matt 18 years old - transgender female to male
Matt 18 years old – transgender female to male

 

See also:

The Adorned

By Michelle Sank

 


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