Losing interest in appearance after rape is a very common trauma response — it’s not vanity or laziness, it’s psychology. Here are a few reasons why this can happen:

1. Loss of sense of self:
   Trauma can disconnect someone from their identity. Things like fashion, makeup, or grooming that once expressed who you were might stop feeling meaningful.
2. Body disconnection or shame:
   After sexual assault, many survivors feel detached from or even angry at their bodies. Not wanting to “dress up” or look attractive can be a way of avoiding that discomfort or of rejecting the idea of being sexualized again.
3. Safety and protection:
   Some people unconsciously try to make themselves appear less noticeable or less “attractive” as a way of preventing further harm — it’s a form of self-protection.
4. Depression or PTSD:
   Emotional numbness, fatigue, or low motivation — all common after trauma — can make personal care feel overwhelming or unimportant.
5. Control and rebellion:
   Appearance might have once felt tied to pleasing others or fitting social standards. After trauma, rejecting those expectations can feel like reclaiming control.