Advert for razors shows topless NB model with mastectomy scars

[SapphosRock]

This isn't a cancer survivor but a trans / non-binary model. I'm all for positive representation in advertising from the LGBTQ community but this one feels irresponsible.

In particular advertising 'super sharp razor blades' using a model with visible scars. Some might view them as self-harm scars.

We seem to be normalising double mastectomies, or turning it into a fashion statement.

The model is non-binary. Not a trans man. So that's misgendering for starters - take yourself off to the ducking stool! You just invalidated their identity!! Non-binary people are valid, you bigot!!!

And yeah, I actually do see gargantuan breast implants as a type of self harm as well, as it happens, but as that's not what we're discussing here because it's not what's in the advert we're looking at. 🙄

What a difficult image

the razor at the neck for a start

I've just taken a look at Estrid's website and it is a complete image overhaul. It's now marketed as 'razors for all humans', with a load of guff about identity thrown in.

But when I signed up less than a year ago it was very much unequivocally aimed at women, female body positivity and supported a charity for women and girls as well iirc. I remember at the time thinking how noticeable it was to see those words all over the packaging.

Well, there you go. Somebody must have told them they were wrong!

Love this advert ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜

Oh well, rainbow hearts have completely changed my mind. Consider me converted.

It's not about saying that a transman shouldn't be in an advert for razors. Of course they should if they want to.

But the placement of that blade, next to those scars like that (not in any sort of natural shaving pose) really does look like it's encouraging cutting.

And believe me, some of us try hard not to be enticed into that. It is a really unhelpful ad.

Actually, breast tissue forms a part of a woman's immune system. Removing part or all of that tissue reduces our immunity, we don't know how significantly yet. It's worth doing this if the alternative is death. For cosmetic reasons, it's got a definite health impact.

Yes, it is like showing someone obese near a big tub of ice cream or someone with anorexia putting their fingers down their throat next to a lettuce leaf.

No, it is not intended to make us think that someone with short hair who doesn’t shave their arm pits has had a double mastectomy very young for genetic reasons.

Advertisements are intended for us to come to quick conclusions so the idea that no assumptions should be made seems unreasonable.

It might be different if it were an article about trans men. If there were a balanced article it would most likely mention the correlations in young women with body dysmorphia, anorexia and self-harm as well as with autistic girls. What body hair to shave is bit secondary.

Why?

Genuine question.

And why is it “self harm” to remove your breasts but not “self-harm” to get massive implants to make them far larger?

Feminists, eh?

Renowned for their approval of breast implants and topless women with huge breast implants advertising stuff.

It also looks like there are self harm scars on the model’s arms, too, or am I seeing things? Might as well show a clearly anorexic woman advertising laxatives ffs.

What’s the point of this whole ad? The model identifies as a man so doesn’t need the razor? It just says “this brand doesn’t want your business” to me really. Glad to oblige them in that case.

Naw it’s nonsense.

showing a young woman who has cut off her breasts for being non binary

exploitation by this company and virtue signalling

whats the point of the advert. ? Who’s i5 appealing to

I don’t even know to my own question

so that’s not advertising then

Know the answer to my own question I should have said

what if vulnerable girls see this and think. Wow pretty cool to cut off your breasts.

as she does look young and cool

BreadInCaptivity · Today 19:42
420Bruh
Love this advert ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜

*Why?

Genuine question.*

It’s cool and edgy and if you like it you are ‘on the right side of history’.

Given that the demographic depicted is tiny, one has to wonder why the company went down this route.

And as for "A double mastectomy doesn't equal gender issues or cancer survivor", can the poster explain what it could equal, because to me it obviously equals gender issues? Fashionable self harm. This is a medical sandal just that history will look back on and gasp that doctors and surgeons were fully on board with this.

Medical issues caused by mastectomy include:

• Post-op pain
• Swelling
• Bleeding
• Infection risk
• Scarring, including keloid scar formation
• Loss of sensation
• Chronic neuropathic pain
• Loss of ability to lactate
• Reduced shoulder and arm movement
• Anaesthetic risks.

In women having the surgery for cancer there are also significant mental health and self confidence impacts; I do not know how relevant those are for transmen having the surgery as a cosmetic procedure.

The idea that medication and/or surgery for trans issues "doesn’t cause any medical issues" is straight out untrue.

I make no comment on whether these surgeries are more or less harmful, or more or less societally undesirable than breast implants. In either situation, the women who have them should do so informed of all the risks.

On the broader point, adverts aren't there to encourage representation of any minority group. They're there to sell stuff. No issue at all with trans models being used in adverts. Just in this advert the message is really unclear and I can't see why it would make anyone buy razors. That makes it a bad ad, regardless of the gender identity of the model.

Yep I can’t understand why it’s so cool to cut off your breasts.

and why someone loves this advert. I mean just why do you love it

When you see the whole campaign, you learn that the character plans to shave their legs "smooth like a dolphin" this summer. And hopes to grow a yeti-like moustache. Doesn't plan to shave their neck, chest, face, armpits or (as far as I can see) head.
So an ad layout showing their legs might be more appropriate, for so many reasons.

Och they are just virtue signalling.

but I think it’s a bad message to send out to girls

that it cool and trendy to cut off your breasts and you will be admired

Exactly. I can’t think of any other reasons a woman would have had a double mastectomy, except for gender related issues or cancer related issues.

Its a very odd advert, and sadly for the person featured, still very obvious that they are a woman. I’d have been able to tell that person is a woman even without being unnecessarily shown the mastectomy scars, which add nothing to the advert really.

Women aren't allowed to be topless in advertising unless they have had their breasts cut off and identify as men. I find the whole thing very sad.
Anyway I had already cancelled my Estrid sub, the thick moisturising strip on their razors really annoyed me, it swelled up massively after one use and made it difficult to use again. No man would ever use them.

www.dazeddigital.com/beauty/body/article/51816/1/estrid-new-campaign-celebrating-body-armpit-leg-hair

They make razors (for removing body hair) but "By now, we can probably all agree that body hair is natural and should be treated as such. And while there is a concerted effort in the beauty community to normalise our body and facial hair, there is still mounting pressure for us to shave and conform to outdated, western beauty standards."

what a load of shit - shave don't shave, but this is like Peta selling bacon ( in my view, and I know that some won't agree which is totally fine - I just find it an extremely odd way to get customers )

Yeah they sell razors to remove body hair.

but yet but yet we who sell razors to remove body hair condem the removal of body hair.

be true to your words and end your business then. Do it now. Don’t wait

Interesting link iCorvidae. It is from Feb last year and is the product is clearly marketed to and for women. I wonder if the company's been taken over or something. It seems to have expanded quickly and is now available in the States, not sure if that's new as that might explain things.

@UnderTheInfluence cancer prevention for those with a high risk of going on to develop cancer.

Some women will have implants, some won't.