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Teenagers and how models affect us - by Sophia Sargeant
Being a teen is tough. Your hormones are flying everywhere and your body is rapidly changing, you're preparing for your GCSEs, having arguments with friends, and to top it all off? Your looks are being compared with unrealistic models.

You go out to the cinemas with a few friends, and you see the boy that you fancy sitting in the row in front. Your mates know you like him, but he claims that he doesn't go for 'that' type of girl. And yep, he sure doesn't. His phone's wallpaper is an image of Cheryl Cole. She's gorgeous, perfect in fact, and what are you? Normal. Well let me tell you, that's the best way to be.

To wind down, a lot of teenagers will relax by reading a good magazine or surfing the net. However, with every advert that appears, there's a stunning model. Clear skin? Check. Dress Size 6? Check. Height 5'8"? Check. Then you'd look in the mirror, and sigh. Spotty face? Check. Short? Check. Larger then a size 6? Check. Then woopsy! it's no longer relaxation. You're freaking out about your appearance and comparing yourself to models; throwing your hair brush at the wall as you have a hissy fit for not styling your hair the same as the model in the magazine, throwing your makeup brushes around and wanting to scream at the top of your lungs and shouting at anyone who even dares to confront you at that moment. Your mum will hug you and tell you that you're beautiful no matter what; however, that's not what your brain is telling you... .
Every time a new model becomes famous showing her clear skin with absolutely no imperfections on a full A4 spread in the magazine, this throws a teenager's confidence right into the ground because they're thinking, "Why can't I look like that?" Whenever a super skinny model is advertising a new brand of clothing a teenager is thinking, "That will only suit a skinny/tall person. Not me."

Due to hormones increasing, a large amount of testosterone is released; this causes sebum (oil) to break through the pores of your skin. When bacteria multiplies on your face and becomes blocked by the sebum a breakout emerges, resulting in a spotted complexion. This is something that cannot be helped without certain products, as it is something that happens naturally. So if it's natural, why should models have makeup artists to conceal every imperfection? It's unnatural. When teenagers have homework thrown at them left right and centre, this leaves them with less time for exercise. A teen will arrive home from school around 15.30, do homework until dinner (roughly 17:00-18:00) have a bath (18:30-19:00) and then before you know it, it's seven o'clock and you have no time to exercise. Hormones also can make you put on weight, and to top it all of you don't have time to do anything about it. So if it's natural, why should models have crazy diets to make them a size 6 when the average UK female size is 16-18? It's unnatural!

Agencies should take on more realistic and natural models - models that can smile because they are genuinely happy. Models whose skin is naturally radiant, not because of foundation, but because they are healthy and have a natural glow. Models who are size 16, as this is the average, not size 6. Models should come in a variety. This will not only make the product they are selling more realistic instead of a fantasy, but it will also boost all teenagers' confidence, as they can compare themselves to these models and think, "Hey, I'm not much different to her and she's beautiful. If she's beautiful, then so am I."