Social networks and filters in them they are making us have (and what we want to have) a distorted perception of our physique. We discover more about Snapchat or Zoom dysmorphia in this post.
Snapchat dysmorphia, the disorder of perception of the own image produced by our digital image, it is increasing more and more in plastic aesthetic clinics. This is why from the Spanish Association of Plastic Aesthetic Surgery (AECEP) want to share one serie of qualified data on this subject, usually increases in summer, when most people feel more exposed to their own and others' critical eyes, surfacing the insecurities.
According to a social study by Highfive “el 48% of Spaniards trust to be more aware of their physical appearance in video calls”.
¿What is Snapchat dysmorphia?
According to Dr.. Elizabeth Moreno, current president of AECEP. Snapchat dysmorphia, also known as Zoom dysmorphia, es an altered subjective phenomenon of the self-image caused by an optical distortion of the camera that generates a negative self-perception related to the increase in videoconferences, which force us to spend long periods of time staring at each other causing a significant impact on the way we see ourselves.
According to a study conducted by the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Medicine: “Before Zoom took over as the metric used to rate personal appearance, patients used selfies and an arsenal of photo-editing apps to create filtered versions of themselves. This is what is known as «Snapchat dysmorphia», the influx of patients hoping to become more like themselves has caused widespread concern about its potential to trigger body dysmorphic disorder.”
Although filters are not used, cameras alter image due to video quality and lighting. It is also ensured that “a portrait to 30 centimeters away increases the perceived size of the nose by a 30% compared to the one taken at 1,5 metros”. Asimismo, usually increase one face, en general, more rounded, wider eyes and a wider nose.
¿Who are the people most affected by this type of dysmorphia?
In this regard, Moreno assures, that she is used to young people showing up at her office and showing her a photo of them with a filter, and tell him “that's how i want my face”. The obsession generated by our image is based on unreal effects. the filters of Instagram they are not created for each face and moving from that to a reality, they are situations of false expectations, ya que, Dr.. Moreno explains that above all they want to “transform their face. But we can't transform a face.". These are unrealistic situations..
Por su parte, The doctor. José Angel Lozano Orella, aesthetic plastic surgeon and member of ethics of the Association, declares that “Cosmetic surgery interventions in minors represent a 1,7% of those carried out in the country. The social pressure to be perfect means that the influx of adolescents to our consultations is greater every day. And this is due to various factors.. Firstly, and at the individual level, the abuse of selfies and the use of corrective filters makes adolescents develop a distorted reality of their body self-image. At the virtual level it is very easy to correct defects and perfect them, but on a real level everything goes through surgery.”
Asimismo, The doctor. Lozano confirms: “at the virtual level it is very easy to correct defects and perfect them, but on a real level everything goes through surgery. To this is added the influencers who present physical models with canons of belleza bordering on perfection and reflect an image of success and satisfaction that influence all the followers of these accounts in particular, to teenagers. Likewise, Interventions and experiences in cosmetic surgery are shared on social networks, trivializing the process and distorting its reality., encouraging access to them. It is our responsibility to ensure that all this does not happen and wait until the patient reaches sufficient physical and emotional maturity to face surgery..”
¿What are the aesthetic treatments most demanded by patients with Snapchat dysmorphia??
According to Dr.. Francisco Bravo, former president of the Association, rhinoplasty tops the list of the most demanded cosmetic surgeries, replacing the increase in breasts for the first time since 2006.
Desde el 2020 facelift and blepharoplasty have been positioned in second and third place, respectivamente, of the most common aesthetic procedures. It also ensures that much, the pandemic caused by Covid-19 has had an impact on different facets of life, entre ellas, pay more attention to a face. Two years have passed and the consequences of this.
Despite the postoperative and contraindications that an operation may entail, patients opt for the months before and the summer to perform the surgery they longed for.
We cannot forget that influencers live from their image that they transfer on social networks. They do virtual surgery. After reading this article I am going to start looking at the photos of well-known people. Seeing people with an ideal appearance is more pleasant. Doesn't seem?