The Pressure Of The "Glow-Up"

Discussing the impacts of societal pressure for constant transformation on teenage girls' self-esteem.

From magazine covers to makeover TV shows, podcasts to opinion pieces, the pressure to ‘glow-up’ is everywhere. Especially at the start of a new year where we are surrounded by a constant stream of "New Year, New Me" messaging. Countless videos and articles detail everything from diet plans to workout routines, skincare regimens to wardrobe colour analysis—all promoting the idea that teenage girls and young women must continuously transform themselves to meet current beauty standards. And we can already see the visible toll this has on teenage girls' self-esteem.?

While TikTok and Instagram play a significant role – with a combined 27.6 million posts under #GlowUp – this messaging is projected across all media. Entertainment news outlets microscopically analyse celebrities' faces for signs of cosmetic enhancements, celebrating those done ‘tastefully’ and demonising those deemed ‘botched’. Popular podcasts debate the merits of various beauty treatments, while reality TV faithfully sticks to the tried-and-true method of the makeover.?

The impact of this pressure is already showing in concerning ways. At the beginning of 2024, we witnessed the rise of skinfluencers for tweens drive unprecedented demand for high-end skincare brands from girls as young as 10 years old. While the trend might seem harmless, dermatologists have raised serious concerns about using adult skincare products on adolescent skin.?

Even more worryingly, this obsession with striving for a perfected physical appearance is having measurable effects on Australian teenagers' mental health. Current data shows that 6 in 10 teenagers are experiencing anxiety and body image issues. Among those affected by eating disorders in Australia, 67% are female, with the highest rates found in girls aged 15-19—up to 12% of adolescents in this age group had an eating disorder in 2023.?

At the Flourish Journey, we hear first-hand about the impacts this pressure has on teen girls. One program participant disclosed in a recent workshop that she spends 1.5 hours every morning "glowing up" to "fit in" at school. Last year, 25% of program disclosures made by student participants that had to be reported back to the school were about body image difficulties.?

Of course, there's nothing wrong with wanting to work towards a goal. When we dedicate time to mastering a craft or developing better study habits, we’re growing in meaningful ways. The issue isn't with self-improvement itself—it's with "glow-up" culture's disproportionate emphasis on physical appearance and its ripple effects on young girls' self-worth.

To counter these harmful effects, we must actively create a culture that values teenage girls for who they are, not how they look. Here’s how we can start:

Model Positive Self-Talk: We need to model positive conversations about our bodies while avoiding negative self-talk. Remind teen girls that their bodies are the least interesting thing about them. Their values, talents, and character matter far more than their appearance.

Celebrate Character Over Appearance: Shift celebration of achievements away from looks and towards strengths, gifts, and talents. This means actively recognising and praising qualities like creativity, resilience, kindness, and curiosity.

See Food For What It Is: Instead of labelling food as "healthy/unhealthy" or "good/bad," try thinking of what you eat as "just food." Food is fuel, nutrition, sustenance and can also be pure joy. Instead of guilt, focus on eating foods that make you feel satisfied and energised. Some days, that's a smoothie; other days, it's ice cream with friends. Both are valid, and both are part of a healthy life. Help the teen girls in your life to have the same relationship with what they consume.

Break the Comparison Cycle: We need to address the comparison trap. It's vital to understand and teach that no two bodies are the same—even if we all ate identical foods and followed the same exercise routines, we would still look different. This is particularly important when it comes to social media comparisons with celebrities and influencers, whose images often reflect the work of personal trainers, dietitians, makeup artists, professional lighting, and photo editing rather than reality.

As we continue navigating this landscape of constant transformation pressure, we must remember that true self-worth comes from within. While the "glow-up" trend might not disappear anytime soon, we can work together to create an environment where teenage girls feel valued for who they are, not just how they look. By fostering open conversations about body image and self-esteem, we can help the next generation develop a healthier relationship with their appearance and a stronger sense of self-worth that goes far beyond physical transformation.