Even the stars don't match up to their pictures in the magazines and other advertising. Women's daily exposure to "images of perfection" is linked to depression, insecurity and eating disorders, says a study by 40 doctors, psychologists and academics. It makes us mentally ill. (And dieting to try reach these impossible peaks of perfection makes us physically ill.)

"Kate Winslet's famous curves have been trimmed for a front cover and Keira Knightley's bust enlarged for a film poster. Madonna's biceps have been reduced for a magazine portrait, while veteran model Twiggy's wrinkles vanished in an advertisement for anti-ageing cream.The technique of flattening tummies, shaping thighs, removing laughter lines and adding extra gloss to hair is now commonplace among photographers attempting to produce perfect images of the body beautiful". This text was from the Independent newspaper. The French are trying to ban airbrushing. And in South America, they are trying to ban Barbie for the same reasons - unrealistic images of women make them ill.

What is the moral here? These images we see in the media are not real people. Even the stars, who spend all day working on looking wonderful, need to be airbrushed to look this good. They have become brands, products. A few years ago, Joan Collins said that maintaining her slim shape, lovely face and huge hair was her work, her job, and she devoted most of the day to preparing herself for going out to be seen.

This is unachievable for the rest of us. We shouldn't waste our lives trying.