Maybe I have belly button privilege, but I can honestly say reshaping my navel has never once crossed my mind. The majority of us, you would think, would assume belly buttons are safe from the judgemental eye of body-shamers, but it seems that’s not the case. According to the Daily Mail, umbilicoplasty, or belly button surgery, is the latest plastic surgery craze young people are jumping on.
We’ve had decades of crop-tops coming in and out of fashion, and now in an age of Instagram and Snapchat we’re able to see our favourite celebrity’s perfect bodies in bikinis all year round. Of course, this causes endless self-esteem issues for young women in particular, seeing the flawless tummies of people like Kendall Jenner and Emily Ratajkowski daily. But it’s not just the abs people want, it’s the belly buttons themselves.
Dr. Matthew Schulman, a plastic surgeon in the US, has told the Daily Mail Online that the number of belly button revisions he’s performed in the last five to six years has doubled. He said:
‘We've become a much more image-oriented society,'
'People are more aware of their bodies on Instagram... and they understand now that there's a way to make their belly button's look better
Apparently, people go as far as to request particular navel shapes that replicate celebrities such as Emily Ratajkowski, Jessica Simpson and Bella Hadid. Specifically, they want oval shaped belly buttons and will take in pictures of Instagram models to illustrate this. Dr. Schulman states he performs 12 to 15 procedures per month, typically right before Summer.
In the UK, there has been a 12% increase in navel surgery compared to last year, according to RealSelf. Figures show that women are feeling more pressure than ever to perfect even the tiniest flaws on their body.
So maybe it’s time for a new hashtag proclaiming self-love of our belly buttons, outies and all? While we’re all entitled to make whatever changes we want to our bodies, it’s important to provide a balance against the mounting pressure to look perfect that we face as Instagram continues to crush people’s self-worth. It’s okay if you don’t have the perfectly oval belly button of Emily Ratajkowski, I can’t believe I’m saying this but ALL belly buttons are beautiful.
LOVE YOURSELF LADIES, WEIRD BELLY BUTTONS AN ALL
Follow some inspirational accounts on Instagram, sans perfect belly buttons...
Inspirational Instagram Accounts You Should Follow
Women In Comics
Illustrating inspirational images and depicting women in comic form, this account will brighten up your timeline with some home truths in the form of pretty pictures.
Adwoa Aboah
This insanely beautiful model founded GURLS TALK, an online community where women from all backgrounds can share their personal experiences in a safe space.
Alicia Garza
Alicia is an editor and activist who co-created #BlackLivesMatter. Her feed is a mixture of relatable memes, unfiltered selfies and educational posts to keep you woke.
Amandla Stenberg
You might recognise this actor from The Hunger Games, when she played the character only character we cried endless tears for, Rue. Now, while still acting, she's a full-fledged activist posting about everything gender, feminism and black culture.
MuslimGirl/Amani
Amani created the fast-growing activism account @MuslimGirl, another one you should definitely follow. She has spoken across the world about Muslim women and posts everything from badass selfies to stats you need to know.
Amber Amour
Amber created @CreatingConsentCulture which aims to educate people on rape culture and support rape and sexual assault survivors. She's also outspoken about racism and sex work, her feed will be endless many dinner party talking points.
Amber Rose
You may only know Amber Rose as Kanye's ex, but think again. Amber is a sex positivity icon, with her own pocast 'Loveline with Amber Rose' up until 2018 that aimed to promote healthy sexual relationships and self-love. If you can get past the fact she advertised flat tummy tea once (fgs Amber), you'll love her feminism-filled feed.
Beverly Bond
Author of 'Black Girls Rock', Beverly's posts will have you both inspired and enraged, filled with commentary on everyday injustices.
Bree Newsome
You may recognise Bree as the activist who took down the confederate flag from a flagpole outside the South Carolina Capitol building. She's continuing her activism with inspiring art you need to see.
Cameron Russell
An american model who called out the fashion industry for sexual harassment and assault, she started the #MyJobShouldNotIncludeAbuse hashtag. Her instagram is full of inspiring stories and educational videos exposing different injustices within her industry and beyond.
Iskra Lawrence
If your not already following Iskra, your living under an Instagram rock. The body positive model started her own business, everyBODY with Iskra, to give health and fitness advice beyond just getting super skinny. You need her body posi vibes in your life.
Jessamyn
Another super body positive account to follow, Jessamyn is a yoga teacher regularly posting about the emotional and physical benefits of body positivity and practicing yoga.
Joanna Thangiah
Shun your timeline of filtered selfies and over exposed holiday destinations. It's time for some feminist, mental health aware art! This account is amazing for cute cartoons that say everything we're already feeling.
Judy Reyes
You'll probably remember Judy as Carla from Scrubs, or one of the other thousand TV show she's been in throughout her insanely successful career. Unlike most Hollywood actors, her Insta is full of activism and news you need to know.
Logan Browning
Activist and actor, Logan Browning is the lead of Netflix hit Dear White People. Posting powerful content and links to charities you can donate to so you can turn your online activism into action- she's a force to be reckoned with.
Makers Women
MAKERS is a storytelling platform for women, posting quotes to keep you inspired throughout the day. Stay up to date with gender injustice, while also feeling hopeful with the powerful words these amazing women have to say.
Nimisha Bhanot
Another artist you need to follow, Nimisha creates amazing prints (which you can buy) critiquing societal perceptions of South Asian women. She's based in Canada, but these prints can brighten up your timeline anywhere.
Muslim Girl
Muslim Girl, where 'muslim women talk back' is an account ran by Amani. Advocating for issues facing muslim women, both accounts are an inspiration and necessity on your feed.
Project Consent
There's no time like the present to be educating people on consent. This account does exactly that, and gives you the perfect explanations, comebacks and reminders to throw out at a dinner party if the issue comes up.
Rowan Blanchard
Gone are the days of Disney stars going off the rails, this actor and activist is a beacon of positivity- especially online. Fighting gender and race injustice and beyond, she's one to watch.
Rupi Kaur
Rupi made headlines in 2015 when she posted pictures of her on Instagram with visible menstrual blood. Her posts were blocked by Instagram, causing backlash against the social media platform. She continues to break boundaries with her writing and poetry.
Sophie King
This UK based embroidery artist is an up-and-coming star, embroidering feminist slogans onto everything from bras to roses. Bring her insta to life with her slogan t-shirts, or just stare at the pretty pictures, either way she's someone you should follow.
The Vulva Gallery
Our favourite of all the accounts, the vulva gallery promotes self-love in an area SO often ignored. With two-thirds of women avoiding smear tests, life-saving procedures, because of the look of their vagina, it's time we stopped all of the self-loathing around genitals. Providing a regular reminder that all vaginas are beautiful, if you only follow one account of this list, it should be this one.
Trash Is For Tossers
Lauren Singer lives an entirely waste-free life. Yes, you can actually do that. As #plasticfree takes over our news feed, it's time you had some daily advice on how exactly to reduce your waste. Save the planet!
This article originally appeared on The Debrief.