Key findings:

• 44% of respondents were bullied for their appearance as children, and a small some say it’s something they still experience today.
• 54% still remember a specific backhanded comment about their looks from years ago that continues to affect their self-image.
• Nearly 1 in 4 avoided social events during childhood due to shame about how they looked.
• 60% of respondents said their childhood insecurities shaped long-term habits, including compulsive skin picking, excessive makeup use, and obsessive skin care routines.

We usually think that beauty insecurities are an adult concern, something artificially created by perfect images on social media and glossy magazine spreads. But for many people, the first time they felt they weren’t beautiful was in a school hallway or their own homes. That feeling starts with one small situation we typically dismiss. It can be a toxic comment from a parent or classmate pointing out a new zit you have on your face, and it doesn’t take much to plant the idea that there is something wrong with the way you look. As adults, we often joke about or dismiss our insecurities as vanity, but the reality is that they are usually rooted in childhood experiences. What we hear then can influence the way we see ourselves for the rest of our lives. To better understand the long-term impact of our childhood insecurities, Luvly surveyed 2000 people. The results have shown that when it comes to beauty, the scars we carry into adulthood often began before we even understood what beauty was.

Childhood bullying left a mark, and it often went unspoken

Sadly, bullying over appearance wasn’t a rare experience. Some 44% of respondents said they were bullied for how they looked when they were younger. While some may write that off as a rite of passage, the reality is more serious. For some people, judgment about their appearance hasn’t stopped, even in adulthood.

For many, the most hurtful comments came from home

It’s one thing to be teased at school, but it’s a whole other story to hear comments about your appearance from the people closest to you. Sadly, 38% of respondents said their parents made negative comments about how they looked while they were growing up. The hurtful comments were often disguised as jokes, friendly advice, or comparisons to other kids. But no matter the intention, the effect was the same: they planted doubt about appearance in a place that was supposed to feel safe.

Shame led many to withdraw and attempt to “fix” themselves

For some people, being bullied for their appearance caused problems with self-esteem, while for others, it led to isolation. One in four respondents said they avoided social events during childhood because they felt ashamed of how they looked. It’s practically a giveaway sign of internalized judgment that kept them from connecting with others.

Many developed harmful coping mechanisms

Unfortunately, the impact of childhood bullying doesn’t disappear when we graduate from school. For nearly 60% of respondents, insecurities translated into long-term habits. For example, some said they constantly compare themselves to other people, and others struggle with eating disorders or develop obsessive skin care routines.

For many people, the feeling of not being “enough” still lingers

Even now, years after these situations happened, many people still can’t let go of them. Despite all the beauty routines and personal growth, 42% of respondents said they sometimes feel that no amount of effort could ever make them feel truly “enough.”