Social Media Is Creating Unrealistic Expectations For Plastic Surgeons

- Dr. Anup Dhir, Senior Consultant, Cosmetic Surgeon, Apollo Hospital, New Delhi

- Dr. Anup Dhir

In today’s digital age, it’s no secret that social media can have strong effects on our mental health. The truth of the matter is, however, is that most of what we see on social media simply isn’t true. Filters on Snapchat and Instagram, in addition to the myriad photo editing apps available on all smartphones, are distorting the way society sees each other, and in turn, is causing users to want to change the way the look in real life.

It’s been referred to by doctors and scholars as both facebook facelift and Instagram Dysmorphia, but the two terms are referencing the same thing—social media users who turn to plastic surgery to look as good in real life as they do online. It is a real phenomenon that is affecting demand for plastic surgery, expectations, satisfaction, and overall happiness.