Selfies Are Increasing the Demand for Facial Plastic Surgery

As social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Google+ become more popular, users are experiencing a growing awareness of their personal appearance. Trends like photo sharing and “selfies” have become mainstream in modern culture, in which pictures are viewed by millions of people every day. A recent study conducted by the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS) found that this rise in social media popularity is contributing to a rise in facial plastic surgeries. As people are becoming more aware of their physical attributes, they are turning to surgical and non-surgical cosmetic procedures to look and feel their best.

The Basic Numbers

Approximately 72 percent of people who used the internet last year have at least one social media account. The majority of those users are between the ages of 18-29, but a large portion of them are made up of people who are in the 30-49 and 50-60 age groups. At least 43 percent of people aged 65 and older are among those users.

In their survey results, the AAFPRS found that in the past year there was a 10 percent increase in the number of rhinoplasties performed, a 6 percent increase in eyelid surgeries, a 13 percent increase in soft tissue filler injections, and a 3 percent increase in BOTOX use. Chin augmentations and facelifts also rose, both by 5 percent.

The polled surgeons also identified another notable trend among their patients. More than half reported that the number of patients under 30 increased, especially among teenagers. Young adults are now looking to have cosmetic procedures performed as a result of cyber bullying and other negative reviews of their social media images.

How This Affects You

Everyone encounters some self-esteem and confidence issues regarding how they look in pictures. However, if you are looking to improve your physical appearance so you can feel better about yourself online, you are not alone! The AAFPRS found in their survey that 13 percent of the surgeons polled noticed an increase in the number of patients who were influenced in their decision to have plastic surgery by dissatisfaction with how they look in shared photos and selfies. Facebook has over 1 billion users; chances are you know someone who has had some sort of cosmetic procedure performed, whether it is surgical or non-surgical.

Basile Plastic Surgery

Whether you’re looking for small, subtle changes or big, dramatic changes, our office is ready to help you feel confident in your appearance. We offer both surgical and non-surgical procedures, from BOTOX to breast augmentation. Dr. Andrea Basile is a board-certified plastic surgeon and a specialist in many different procedures. If you are interested in finding out more about our services, take a look through our procedure information pages, then give us a call. Our friendly and knowledgeable office staff is hand-picked by Dr. Basile for the sole purpose of making your experience at Basile Plastic Surgery as comfortable as possible.