The Impact of Selfie Dysmorphia on Modern Beauty

We all know and have used social media filters, whether to have fun or to remove imperfections. However, the problem arises when you start obsessing over them. Cosmetic doctors are finding that more and more people are bringing filtered photos and unaltered photos to point out exactly what they want to correct.

Constant Contact with Our Self-Image

__ says the root of the problem is quite simple: it's not just you who sees your face every day. Social media platforms, online forums, and even dating apps mean that often the first—and sometimes only—version of ourselves that other people encounter is a digital image.

In a recent set of statistics from the __, 55% of facial plastic surgeons reported seeing patients who wanted to enhance their appearance in selfies in 2017, a 13% increase from the previous year.

How Filters Affect Our Self-Perception

“I've always handed patients a mirror; they've taken it, and we've discussed what they wanted,” he said. “Now, what happens at least once a week is that I'll hand someone a mirror, they'll look at it for a moment, get frustrated, and say, ‘You can't see it here,’ and show me a picture.”

The Dangers of Altered Perception

Patients need psychological help, as body dysmorphic disorder is related to eating disorders and depression. “The only face in the world you can never see is your own,” Byrne said. It is clear that “selfie dysmorphia,” as described by dermatologists and plastic surgeons, is more than just wanting to look like an idealized version of yourself, so easily accessible with filters and retouching apps. “I think that's the key, rather than just the technology itself,” Byrne said.

Conclusion: A New Reality of Beauty

So, in a way, the face we see in the selfie is an accurate representation of ourselves, but not of our physical self. It is a reflection of our ideals, aspirations, and insecurities, and that can be as distorting as any photo filter. In my opinion, social media apps, such as Snapchat and Instagram, are providing a new reality of beauty for today's society.