Unpacking the Harmful Impact of White Beauty Standards: From Perms to Skin Bleaching and Body Image Issues The pervasive reach of Eurocentric—or white—beauty standards has shaped global perceptions of what it means to be beautiful, often at the expense of diverse cultures, natural features, and, crucially, our health. For too long, individuals, particularly women of color, have felt compelled to conform to these narrow ideals by altering their hair, skin, and body shapes—sometimes at great pe...