How do the use of filters and photo editing on social media platforms contribute to unrealistic beauty standards and the development of body dysmorphia, particularly in adolescents? -Blog #5

Problems with body image among young people in the United States have grown due to the fact that, in recent times, beauty standards have become more extreme, making them tougher to meet. Social media filters and photo editing applications enable users to display an idealized version of themselves. This can warp an individual’s understanding of what is real and achievable, resulting in discontent with their genuine looks. Initially employed for comedic purposes, beauty filters have produced unexpected effects on the mental well-being of today’s media consumers. These filters have pushed beauty ideals beyond feasible limits by modifying, adjusting, and refining images to unreal perfection.

In recent times, plastic surgeons have started noticing clients asking for surgeries that resemble their appearances in Snapchat filters, with some patients even presenting the filtered images to their doctors to illustrate what they desire from the procedure. This emerging “Snapchat dysmorphia” showcases how filters, initially created as a fun means to help individuals feel at ease sharing photos of themselves, have evolved into an expectation that is both unrealistic and completely synthetic. (1)

We’ve been reflecting on ourselves much more recently—specifically, the reflection from our devices. Dr. Helen Egger, a child psychiatrist and co-founder of the upcoming mental health company Little Otter, states, “One of the oddest aspects of Zoom is that you’re seeing your own reflection; typically, we don’t observe ourselves during face-to-face interactions with others.” As our lives have moved onto screens over the last year, we have grown especially aware of our appearances. Dr. Melissa Doft, a double board-certified plastic surgeon in Manhattan, informs Forbes that numerous patients have been expressing dissatisfaction with their looks on Zoom. “Previously, we used to criticize our image in the mirror; now, more people are critiquing their photos rather than their reflections,” she states. (2)

While our technology may be increasing our insecurities, it also presents an attractive remedy—thanks to facial filters and editing applications, you can quickly tap and swipe away imperfections in just seconds. Both Instagram and Snapchat—platforms that reached unprecedented engagement levels during the pandemic—feature beauty and augmented-reality facial filters. Features like TikTok’s ‘enhance’ option and Zoom’s ‘touch up my appearance’ provide perfect skin for videos. Editing applications like FaceTune, which experienced a 20% rise in usage at the start of the pandemic and boasts more than 1 million edited images exported each day, enable users to refine, compress, and enhance their images to achieve perfection. It has never been simpler to envision your perfect face. (2)

Edited imagery, and its influence on self-esteem and conceptions of beauty, is nothing new. “We’ve always had the challenge of images being filtered and doctored to make unrealistic measures for what beauty looks like,” Dr. Egger tells Forbes. But before social media, the source of our insecurity was failing to meet the beauty ideals modelled on magazine covers. Now, we compare ourselves, not only to an airbrushed elite, but to our airbrushed peers, and our airbrushed selves. “What is taking it to the next level with these filters is it’s not just seeing an image of a celebrity who is unrealistic and measuring yourself against that person, it’s measuring your real self against a pretend image of yourself.” (2)

Photo editing practices expand the choices for self-presentation on social networking sites and create a notable limitation on the ability to verify the authenticity of profile images. Moreover, it is probably negatively related to how one perceives their own attractiveness. Consequently, the significance of photo editing habits within social networking platforms is considerable. Photo editing practices signify a developing trend. A survey conducted by the Renfrew Center Foundation reveals that 50% of users on Social Network Sites modify their photos prior to sharing them. Nevertheless, the impacts of these recent photo editing apps on individuals remain mostly uncertain. (3)

In contrast to previous decades, individuals today are continuously exposed to heavily edited beauty images on social networking sites, potentially altering the perception of beauty by elevating standards. As a result, people of average attractiveness might view themselves as less appealing when assessed against images of more attractive individuals that have been altered through photo editing techniques. Similar contrast effects have been observed in a field study where a moderately attractive woman received less favourable evaluations after being exposed to highly attractive actresses Moreover, social comparisons made on social media can harm self-esteem. (3)

The understanding of beauty is dynamic in society and can change due to cultural norms and social engagement, including exposure to social media. The use of digital conference platforms has risen dramatically, causing users to frequently assess their appearance and identify imperfections in their perceived online look. Research indicates that regular use of social media can result in distorted body image standards, heightened concerns about looks, and increased anxiety. Moreover, exposure to social media can escalate body image dissatisfaction, addiction to social networking sites, and associated conditions of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) like depression and eating disorders. Moreover, high social media usage can heighten concerns about perceived physical flaws in BDD patients, prompting them to seek out minimally invasive cosmetic and plastic surgeries. This contribution seeks to overview the evidence relating to beauty perception, the cultural dimensions of aesthetics, and the effects of social media, particularly regarding the clinical details of BDD. (4)

Ressources:
1. https://ballardbrief.byu.edu/issue-briefs/the-link-between-social-media-and-body-image-issues-among-youth-in-the-united-states#:~:text=Filters%20and%20photo%20editing%20apps,dissatisfaction%20with%20their%20natural%20appearance.
2 https://www.forbes.com/sites/annahaines/2021/04/27/from-instagram-face-to-snapchat-dysmorphia-how-beauty-filters-are-changing-the-way-we-see-ourselves
3 https://bmcpsychology.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40359-023-01143-0
4 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0738081X23000299

Thank you for reading.