@Suchabutt and
@Monochrome_Scholar I don't think I know of any Indian woman who take a knife to their skin or tattoo themselves!!??
Melon's case is definitely psychological issue and are not just skin deep about societal pressure to look 'beautiful'. Even Legosi's mom's suicide hints at being more serious.
The excesses of Indian women's attempts at getting fairer all extend to medical procedures performed in clinics by doctors: from laser surgery to chemical peels to injections- everything is western medicine, approved chemicals and western medical practises with standard risks and marketed as methods of attaining skin fairness. Most shocking is cryosurgery for skin fairness because cryosurgery one normally thinks of cancer treatment. But these are all derivative cosmetic procedures. Comparing, all these are same principle as cosmetic plastic surgery but dermatological procedures. In any case they don't seem to look all that diferent color- it is more skin color smoothening and wart removal- things even western women get done.
These things are expensive and thus mostly availed by those with disposable income which actually is a lot of people. But again many actually do have a terrible apperance complex: again, psychologial but due to social pressure. Traditionally people only use fairness creams and, facewashes and herbal face uptans which are affordable and sold as products for 'fairness' is a marketing gimmick. All the advertisements are also very shameful and annoying. However, as common as the fairness complex in India is, cosmetic things like laser treatment and all was initilly more popularized by high society ladies from the biggest metropolis like Delhi and done by legit doctors. Plastic surgery and botox is also quite a growing fad but are more universal. So are some weight loss methods.
If there is some instance maybe you could share a more specific example.
But I should remind you of shocking beauty fads in the western world- from plastic surgery with women trying to look like dolls, to removal of ribs to looks slimmer- European models and influencers did that and in US and Russia they have leg lengthening surgeries. That concept of undergoing excruciating pain in order to attain 'perfect appearance' definitely seems like a psychological disorder. The fact that people are willing to do something wich is painful and a permanent body modification requiring invasive surgery and post-op care and may have side-effects and all of it
only to look better seems some kind of social malady...or maybe it is just what it is. People all through the ages and across the globe have always done such invasive things for the concept of beauty after all.
Years ago in tabloids there were these rumors about Michael Jackson and having gotten extensive plastic surgery and skin tattoos to look the way he did. Which since vitiligo is very common in parts of India- was very believable to most people here- since even the most extensive vitiligo looks very patchy. For vitiligo and other such illness affecting skin as you said few people prefer to get tattoos or similar skin procedures done because that is no longer just cosmetic but becomes a terrible hinderance in everyday social life.
Also let us never ever forget that one comedic American who is Mr Trump and his gaffes who wants people injecting themselves with disinfectants before pointing fingers at non-western countries. He is solid proof that there are extrememly ignorant but educated and highly influential people populating the civilized world.
