digital camera photo on average, and 5.7 percent less satisfied with their face overall.
“As the popularity of selfie photography increases, it is crucial to understand how they distort facial features and how patients use them to communicate,” study authors conclude. “In addition, our findings provide data for manufacturers to improve the societal impact of smartphone cameras.”
“Our study further supports the concern that selfies can negatively affect perceived facial appearance,” ASPS Member Surgeon Bardia Amirlak, MD says. “We need to increase awareness of how false perceptions on selfies may affect rhinoplasty requests, perceptions of self-image, and subsequent depression and anxiety.”
Plastic surgery more appealing to social media users
Another study shows the impact social media plays on users wanting to get plastic surgery. Adults who regularly use social media are more likely to consider getting plastic surgery to improve their online appearance, particularly if they prefer photo-heavy sites and apps, the researchers found.
Plastic surgery becomes a more and more appealing option as adults either become more invested in social media or draw more self-worth from their personal appearance, according to study author Dr. Lisa Ishii, of the division of facial plastic and reconstructive surgery at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, and colleagues.
“I see more and more patients coming to my practice showing me their digitally altered selfies asking me to match it with surgery,” Cosmetic surgeon Dr. Daria Hamrah says. “Sometimes their expectations are realistic, but most of the time they are not, which leads to very difficult conversations and disappointments.”
A staggering 650 billion selfies are posted every day on various types of social media, says Dr. Michael Reilly. He’s an associate professor of facial plastic and reconstructive surgery at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, D.C.
Selfies have become something of an “epidemic,” Reilly adds.
People also were more likely to see plastic surgery in a good light if they regularly use filters when posting selfies, have removed selfies because they weren’t edited or enhanced to their liking, or if they based their self-worth more on