Selfie Craze Causes Demand For Plastic Surgery To Increase

Many people are obsessed with having the “perfect selfie.” In fact, some people are willing to go to great lengths to ensure their selfie is flawless, including plastic surgery.

According to an annual study by the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, the demand for surgery due to selfies or photos posted on social media has increased significantly. In fact, one in three doctors surveyed said they have seen an increase in requests for surgery due to patients’ dissatisfaction with their image on social media. As a result, the report says, American surgeons saw a 10 percent increase in rhinoplasty from 2012 to 2013, a 7 percent rise in hair transplants, and 6 percent in eyelid surgery.

“33% of surgeons have seen an increase in requests for plastic surgery as a result of patients being more self aware of their looks because of social media. The top procedures requested are rhinoplasty and Botox.”

Reuters reports that many doctors say that patients will come to them with images of selfies they took to point out flaws. However, plastic surgeon Dr. Sam Rizk notes that selfies are not a true representation of a person’s appearance. Rizk says a selfie produces a distorted image that does not represent how a person really looks. Therefore, he says everyone can find a problem with themselves in a selfie image.

“We all will have something wrong with us on a selfie image,” he explained. “I refuse a significant proportion of patients with selfies because I believe it is not a real image of what they actually look like in person.”

Rizk notes that his opinion is not always popular with his patients. He realizes that many of them will go on to another plastic surgeon who will do the unneeded procedure. However, Rizk says many patients are too obsessed with the social media culture.

“Too many selfies indicate a self obsession and a certain level of insecurity that most teenagers have. It just makes it worse. Now they can see themselves in 100 images a day on Facebook and Instagram.”

Fortunately for those who don’t want to undergo plastic surgery to look their best in a selfie, there are many ways to make your selfie taking skills better. Dan Ackerman, senior editor with CNET, which tests and reviews products, said the internet is full of tips and advice on selfies. There are certain angles that work best to hide common flaws and makeup and photo filters can hide areas a person is unhappy with.

In fact, Ackerman notes that there is a whole sub-economy that was created off of society’s obsession with selfies.

“There are apps that apply filters to your face that smooth out wrinkles… or put artificial makeup… There is a sub economy of tools and advice that have built up around this.”

What do you think of the selfie obsession? Does it surprise you to hear that so many people are willing to go under the knife for a better selfie?