Expert: Griff Ruby - 6/25/2009

Question
Hi Griff
Whats the catholic perspective about elective dental work merely to look pretty ie. to straighten protruded teeth out with braces, coloring gray in the hair to look young, using cosmetic products for balding men, using lipstick, makeup etc.. Are these sins of vanity? Jaks

Answer
I don't see that any of these actions would, of themselves, qualify for the sin of vanity.  There is nothing wrong with doing things to look "presentable" as indeed that is part of why we dress up for Mass and other special occasions.
It becomes vanity when a person thinks thereby to be the best looking individual (as in "I am the most handsome person in the whole world" said into a mirror), or to be better looking than So-and-so (as in "What does he see in her?  I'm far prettier than she is!"), or if the fashion chosen is "unchaste" (as in "this cut of my blouse really shows off my cleavage..."), or else involves damage, such as tattoos, substantial pierced body parts (a pierced ear is most likely OK, but more than that is at least "pushing the envelope" if not actually "beyond the pale"), mutilation.
Correcting malocclusion is at least morally neutral and may even provide some small health benefits, but (for example) having one's canines extended to appeal to the latest vampire fashions would properly be regarded as damage.
The most any of the things you list could be regarded as would be "imperfections" if even that.  There is no actual sin, venial (and certainly not mortal) in any of the things listed.