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Roberta's Beauty Tips
Caution: Online Medical Advice
By Roberta Angela Dee
History of Robert's Beauty Column
For the past year, I have submitted a monthly beauty column
to the Transgender Forum. Each month I attempt to cover a
different topic.
Those of you who have read or collected my beauty tips are
aware that I have covered a variety of topics. My topics have
included discussions on how to speak like a woman, guidelines
for weight management, application of eye makeup, and effective
skin care techniques. In each instance, I have made a focused
effort to be sensitive to the variety of individuals who subscribe to
this forum.
For some, the beauty advice is an integral part of their
lifestyle. For others, it is information required only for special
occasions. Whatever the particular need, I have tried hard to
address that need. I write -- not simply for the sake of writing. I
write because I care about the transgendered community --
whether the individual is a female-to-male or a male-to-female
transsexual, or a casual cross dresser.
An Ongoing Mission
I try not to repeat myself. However, this month's column
repeats last month's cautionary message: Beware of on-line
medical advice.
It's my mission to provide individuals with the best information
possible. I research each topic before I write about it. I do so because I
care.
I am continually amazed by the number of people who
subscribe to listservers on the internet and seek medical advice
from individuals who might never have graduated high school.
There are people on-line who give medical advice solely
based on personal experience. They have never had a day of
formal medical training, nor do they have any idea of the medical
history of the individual to whom they offer advice.
Don't be a fool. Never accept medical advice from anyone
who has not been suitably educated or who could not care less if
you lived or died as a result of his or her advice.
What if the person is a doctor? That's a good question.
First, no doctor in his or her right mind gives advice on-line
without including a disclaimer. Read the small print. The
disclaimer usually states that the doctor assumes no
responsibility for the information he or she provides. Second,
would you put your money in the hands of a banker who
assumed no responsibility for your money? If not, why -- even for
a second -- would you put your health in the hands of a medical
professional who assumed no responsibility for your well being?
Don't be a fool?
The Internet vs. the Public Library
Anyone can put up a web page or a web site. They can
provide information on any topic from ants to zebras without
spending so much as a second validating the information they've
provided. So, while there is a great deal of information available
much of it is inaccurate or only partially accurate.
Don't be a fool. Do ascribe to an idea or any information
simply because some search engine took you to that particular
web page. Unlike most of the books in the public library, most of
the information provided on the internet is without any list of
resources. In some instances, you don't even know who is
providing the information. Don't be a fool.
Doctors On-line
It might surprise the majority of Americans to learn that most
of the world's population is non-white. Media and the
entertainment industry might lead many of us to believe that the
everyone on the planet has blonde hair and blue eyes. This is
simply not the case.
Thirty percent of the US population consists of non-whites.
Given that the present US population is about 270 million people,
this means that 81 million people are comprised of African, Asian,
Latino, Pacific Island and other ethnicities. We are all equal but
we are not all the same.
For the past several months, I have been trying to get on-
line physicians -- who caterer to the transgendered community --
to understand that physicians need to be sensitive to the ethnic
distribution in the community. I have specifically asked that those
who suggest electrolysis include information about the possibility
of scarring if the individual has a dark complexion.
Some of these doctors have ignored my concerns, and some
have dismissed them.
Using the probability statistics provided by the Diagnostic and
Statistical Manual (DSM) of Mental Disorders of the American Psychiatric
Association, there are no more than 10,000 transexuals in the entire United States.
Frankly, I believe their estimates are ridiculously low. However, I'm
certain it will take the medical profession another decade or two to come to
this realization.
Yet, even if their figures are correct, it means that there is a
possibility that 2,000 - 3,000 transsexuals are people of color. That's a
sizable population and I would hope that at least one of the doctors who
cater to our community would be concerned about the quality of information
they dispense to two or three thousand people. Yet, as I repeatedly review
the information the most popular physicians provide, I've yet to find one who
seems appreciatively concerned.
Beverly Johnson (left) and daughter Anansa model her line of eyewear
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I'm not trying to imply that all of the information is erroneous.
However, don't be a fool. Investigate after you assimilate the information
these physicians provide.
Beverly Johnson
Beverly Johnson was one of the first African American models
to break the color barrier for models in the United States of America. Her
book, "True Beauty" provides a wealth of information for women of color and
for any woman with a deep olive complexion. Visit a her web site
From the "Zhen" Catalogue
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Asian and Pacific Island women might want to visit the Zhen
web site.
For free surgeon referrals and information, contact:
The American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons, Inc.
(800) 635-0635
The American Society for Dermatologic Surgery,
(800) 441-2737
The American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
(800) 332-3223
The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, Inc.
(888) 272-7711
I would hope that the on-line physicians who read this
article will consider what I've presented here. I would hope that
some would incorporate this information into their existing web
sites and acknowledge the source. Time will tell.
In any event, if you've learned anything from reading this
article, you should understand my message: Don't be a fool.
I am a writer and like most writers I live for responses from Readers like
you. Please take a few minutes to comment on "Robert Angela Dee's Beauty
Tips." Contact me at RADANGLE@aol.com
Thank you.
Roberta Angela Dee
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