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Is cosmetic surgery forbidden by Jewish law?

Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz offers his interpretation of Jewish law in regard to cosmetic surgery. He explains that the physical risk must be weighed with the damage of not doing surgery (as in an actress that cannot advance her career because of a blatant problem with her appearance).

Spray-on surgery

Thanks to Gallery of the Absurd, the future of appearance alteration is here, and it comes in a can.  This spray-on product obviates the need for surgery, lotions, trainers, beauticians, and even reality.

Just look a the results:

More photoshop fun:

photoshop surgery on Ashlee

photoshop blunder

photoshop cosmetic surgery

Harrison Ford puts on the fedora once more

A new Indiana Jones sequel is set to be released in 2008. This photo is the first released image of Indy from the new film, and for a 65-year-old man, he looks to be in pretty good shape. No obvious evidence of cosmetic surgery, and minimal jowliness and sagginess.   

Jessica Alba wants to avoid surgery

Jessica Alba, from the upcoming Fantastic Four sequel is joining the ranks of celebrities who are against surgery for appearance. She says that she wants to retain her face's expressiveness, which is important as an actress.

"As an actress, you express emotion with your face. And if you have plastic surgery, you lose that spark," Alba explained. "People usually look better without surgery - my grandmother aged very gracefully."

She is right about over-stretched skin becoming less expressive. It's a trade-off in some ways. Some actresses are obsessed with obliterating all signs of aging. But well-done cosmetic surgery looks more natural and doesn't attempt to address every solitary wrinkle.  We should look like we have aged some as we...well, age.

Links: no longer human?, too tight

Courtney Cox is forbidden to have cosmetic surgery

From the Post Chronicle:

Courtney Cox wants to have some work done to undo the belly changes that take place after having a baby. Her husband, David Arquette has banned her from doing so.

She says, "I have a permanent baby belly after having Coco and I have issues with getting older. I obsess over the changes. David has a huge problem with surgery, but I don't."

Naming your baby 'Coco' may be more of a huge problem in this instance.

Link: Aniston's rhinoplasty

Lily Allen researches laser liposuction

Brittish reggae-pop singer Lily Allen has been in a bitter name-calling battle with chanteuse Amy Winehouse. The latest attacks have been focused on physical attributes.

On her myspace page, Lily writes, "I used to pride myself on being strong minded and not being some stupid girl obsessed with the way I look . I felt like it didnt matter if I was a bit chubby cause , im not a model , I'm a singer . Im afraid I am not strong and have fallen victim to the evil machine . I write to you in a sea of tears from my hotel bed in Seattle , I have spent the past hour researching gastric bypass surgery , and laser lipo suction ."

Then, her fans offer Lily words of support, encouraging her not to buy into the thin, celluloid myths. The exchange demonstrates the true pressures being faced by all young women her age, and offers insight into the vulnerability that accompanies celebrity status.

Aniston's rhinoplasty rumors

Recent speculations have arisen regarding Jennifer Aniston after she exited from a cosmetic clinic covering her nose. Her publicist says:
"Jennifer did have a septum corrected that was incorrectly done over 12 years ago. The rest is just nonsense that tabloids like to create."
Why do we care about celebrity plastic surgery? Is it because we hold their images in such high esteem that they take on a mythical beauty ideal - an ideal that is somehow satisfying to dismantle because it is ultimately unattainable? Or is it because we are all just irritable, endlessly waiting for some announcement that a Friends reunion show is in the works?

Kelly Osbourne wants surgery

Kelly Osbourne says she's eager to have cosmetic surgery after seeing spectacular results in her mom's case.

"I'm already planning my surgery. I just haven't got anything saggy yet! My mum's just had about everything you can have done, so I know the right and wrong way to do it"

"Everyone in Los Angeles looks the same. I would rather be ugly than look the same as everyone else!"

Kelly, these two statements may be contradictory.

Evolution of Beauty: Retouched Models

Ponderance has a great posting about manipulation and photoshopping of models for advertisements. It's on youtube, intended as a message to young people in particular about maintaining a realistic and healthy self image.

Watch the clip above. Everyone knows these digital alterations take place, but whoa.

Bonnie Raitt still has it

It's not about criticizing all the time. At least it shouldn't be. And Bonnie Raitt is a testament to the fact that women can age gracefully, just as much as men. And she can still put on a soulful and rockin' show.
Here's the proof from AOL Sessions with Stevie Wonder.