The growing influence of social media has led to to a new condition sweeping the globe known as “Snapchat dysmorphia”, in which where people pursue cosmetic procedures to resemble how they see themselves on Snapchat.
Three dermatologists from the Boston University School of Medicine and Boston Medical Centre expressed their worries over how people are increasingly adjusting their appearances in order to attain unrealistic standards of beauty.
Writing in the journal JAMA Facial Plastic Surgery, they said: “A new phenomenon, dubbed ‘Snapchat dysmorphia,’ has patients seeking out cosmetic surgery to look like filtered versions of themselves instead, with fuller lips, bigger eyes, or a thinner nose.
“This is an alarming trend because those filtered selfies often present an unattainable look and are blurring the line of reality and fantasy for these patients.”
In the past, photo retouching was only available for celebrity photos in magazines or advertisements but now, anyone can transform their face, hair, lips and even retouch their body with the touch of an app.
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The authors added: “The pervasiveness of these filtered images can take a toll on one’s self-esteem, make one feel inadequate for not looking a certain way in the real world.”
Researchers said that these filtered images may even “act as a trigger” and lead to mental health conditions like body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), which happens when becomes overly obsessed with minor flaws in their appearance.
About 55 percent of surgeons say patients request surgery so that they can look better in selfies, according to the article, citing the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
Going under extensive facial cosmetic procedures can also trigger BDD, which is classified as an obsessive compulsive disorder.
Snapchat dysmorphia is not a clinically diagnosed condition, but researchers say the craze affects people more than they know it.
In the article, the researchers said: “Overall, social media apps, such as Snapchat and Facetune, are providing a new reality of beauty for today’s society.
“These apps allow one to alter his or her appearance in an instant and conform to an unrealistic and often unattainable standard of beauty.
“While filters that add flowers or animal ears to a photograph are clearly an embellishment, other edits may be subtler and instead promote a pressure to look a certain way.”
Social media users took to Twitter to respond to the trend – with some making fun of the craze while others encouraged people to appreciate themselves as they are.
Other researchers have also highlighted how gym selfies are extensively triggering self-esteem issues amongst social media users.
According to a study by Tricia Burke from Texas State University and Stephen Rains from the University of Arizona, those who regularly view gym-related selfies are more likely to be obsessed about the way they look.