Selfie Driven Cosmetic Surgery
The social media boom over the last decade has changed the way we access the world and interact with our peers. For better or for worse, social media is here to stay and is giving us constant access to what everyone around us is doing. “Taking a selfie” to post on social media has become such a common occurrence that there are apps, such as Snapchat and Instagram, whose entire platform is based on capturing the perfect picture. And we all want to look our best in the selfie lens. Many people, especially Millennials, are seeking plastic surgery so they achieve their selfie-taking dreams.
Beauty Trends: Cosmetic Surgery for Selfies and Self-Care
The cosmetic community has seen a 55% increase in patients who say they want to look “better in selfies” since 2017. The vast majority of these patients are under 30 years old. Why is it that Millennials (those born between 1981-1996) are getting more cosmetic procedures done? A recent study links the uptick in Millennials going under the knife to a combination of growing up with access to social media and the emergence of the idea of self care.
“The SELFIE, or self-photograph, has rapidly become one of the major photographic modalities of our time; in 2014 alone, there were over 93 BILLION selfies taken on Android phones per day,” reports that JAMA Facial Plastic Surgery Study in 2018.
Many social media influencers have started to make getting a cosmetic procedure less taboo by admitting it and celebrating it. For many Millennials, they want to look better for selfies, but for others, they want to maintain their youthful appearance. The majority of surgeons say that they are performing maintenance procedures vs the old trend of overly enhanced look (ex. Kylie Jenner’s lips circa 2016). Millennials are definitely changing the face of the cosmetic procedure industry.
Why Are Millenials Getting So Many Procedures?
It has been estimated that the average Millennial will take about 25,000 selfies in their lifetime. That is 25,000 times that they will get an up close look at their face because the average selfie is taken around 12 inches from the face. This close perspective increases the appearance of nose size by around 30%, meaning that most people see their nose as wider and thicker. The nose distortion could be a big reason that many people are opting to undergo rhinoplasty (nose job). A close up picture can also make things like turkey neck and fine lines stand out more as well. With the removal of the social stigma of cosmetic surgery, people are much more likely to seek out a way to perfect their features.
"The SELFIE, or self-photograph, has rapidly become one of the major photographic modalities of our time; in 2014 alone, there were over 93 BILLION selfies taken on Android phones per day." JAMA Facial Plastic Surgery Study 2018
Is Plastic Surgery for a Selfie Worth It?
It is important to manage expectations for the outcome of the procedures by seeking the counsel of a board-certified surgeon. An experienced surgeon will guide you through a consultation where you will discuss realistic outcomes.
Keep in mind that a picture with a selfie lens is a really a distortion of your face since the selfie camera produces a fish-eye effect. Pursuing a better look in the selfie camera through plastic surgery could cause a distorted look in every day life!
Scheduling a free consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon will help you determine whether the look you desire is both realistic and proportionate. A good plastic surgeon, one like Dr. Phillip Chang at Aesthetica, will know the rules of body proportions. And they will be able to guide you toward looking your best all the time, not only in the selfie camera!
Invitation
If you are interested in having a cosmetic procedure, we invite you to simply come in for a complimentary consultation with Dr. Chang or one of the cosmetic laser and injection nurses to explore whether you would make a good candidate. To find out more whether Aesthetica can help you, contact us online or at 703-729-5553 to arrange an appointment. Dr. Phillip Chang is a board-certified plastic surgeon in Northern Virginia near Leesburg, Virginia and an expert in a wide variety of cosmetic treatments.
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