Since we live in and through our bodies, very much being this particular body rather than merely having it, we find it difficult to pretend that the internal and external constitution of our body has little or nothing to do with our identity: with what makes us us. The health of our bodies is our health, and when our body is in pain, we are. Moreover, for others we are merely present through our physical manifestations, the way we sound, smell and, more than anything else, look. Yet by being present for others we also become present for ourselves. We assure ourselves of our own reality by being the object of other people's perceptions. We are there (or conscious of our being there, which amounts to the same thing) because we are there for others. And as what we are there also depends on how others perceive us. That is why bodily appearance is so important to us. Our looks are like an advertising board: they announce to the world both that we are and what we are. And because we know that only too well, we want to give the right impression and look our best. Unfortunately, many of us are conscious of some flaws in our appearance, and even the most beautiful woman and the most handsome man get older and gradually lose their shine.