From an orthodox/tradcath perspective, where do we draw the line between what is normal, or a byproduct of living in the modern age, and what is not acceptable for Christians to concern themselves with in terms of appearance?
I'm an 18 year old guy who is quite rapidly balding, I must say. I am naturally pretty vain, and even socially anxious, but now, walking around with a half-bald head in high school, with high school mentality going around, and openly not caring about it has helped me tremendously do away with both aforementioned things. Still, I'm thinking about getting hair transplants. Being in a position where this is a possibility, and, though joking about it/not caring about something as simple as my hair, still secretly spending way too much time in glimpses at the mirror and things like that, worrying over it to no avail, thinking, Well if I'd just get hair plugs, I wouldn't have to distract myself anymore. But of course the fault is with me for attaching so much worldly worth to something that really is only a vain issue. However, when I shamefully start looking up discussions about the matter on various Christian forums, noone even almost understands why it would be a problem, people talk about getting botox, whatever, generally living pretty much worldly lives as far as I can tell at least, and not sharing such worries. This is a problem. It's pretty obvious getting hair plugs is a bad idea, however, the same basic principle goes for something like lifting. Us lifting bros don't do it for health, straight-up. It's about looking a certain way, being a certain weight, having a certain dominion over others in the visual/psychological department, even if it means being a better candidate for a husband. I'm absolutely certain it's possible to do these things without vanity, but it seems pretty unlikely, and we should, if we are tempted to indulge in them, probably take it as a chance to sacrifice at least this silly thing. I'm pretty sure there's people here, usually pretty young, who wouldn't think twice about hearing about a 'badass' bodybuilding priest or something, and many, including myself, who go about their days not really checking their behaviour or making attempts to practically humble themselves.. but I don't know
On the surface, you might also think there are more important things and worries to tend to, and that tending to cosmetics is a pretty passive/innocent thing. However, if you spend any amount of time reading Church fathers, lives of the Saints or their readings,
You will begin to understand the importance of vetting every thought and deed to quite a vigorous extent, and trying to opt for the more humble, more modest, more ascetic Christian option in every choice. I could imagine Agafia, for example, (look her up on youtube) rightfully rebuking anyone entertaining such vain notions that these things are not that bad, like how she's really right when she says worldly music and dancing is, in all actuality, sinful. To be not scrupulous, but actively engaged with the matter of one's salvation as if every action matters; to deny one's wants and needs on top of this, and really to focus on the next life.
Any reason I've been able to come up with to lift for aesthetics, (which is sort of inevitable for me even when focussing on athletics, to dress a certain way, to put thought into grooming, etc, like I need to look good enough to present to the world and be a good representative I can pretty easily rebuke with the fact faith should be enough. Also, the fact I'm thinking about this question and bringing it up now that there's a nontrivial chance none of it will matter soon with the pandemic going around also says something about the state I'M in, in regards to vanity. I don't know about all is vanity, but much certainly is. Where do we draw the line?