Is Social Media Distorting Our Faces? Surge In Snapchat Dysmorphia Raises Red Flags For Doctors (Image Credits: iStock)
Many young people today use filters on apps like Snapchat and Instagram to make their selfies look better. These filters can smooth skin, change facial shapes, and add features like bigger eyes or fuller lips. But now, experts are worried that these virtual edits are causing real-life problems.
Doctors are seeing a growing number of people — especially teens and young adults — coming in for cosmetic surgery to look like their filtered photos. This trend has a name: Snapchat Dysmorphia.
Dr Rajat Gupta, a plastic surgeon and National Secretary of the Indian Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (IAAPS), says he sees this problem often. “Young patients show me photos of themselves with filters and ask if I can make them look that way in real life,” he says. “They don’t want to look like celebrities anymore. They want to look like their ‘perfect’ selfie.”
The New Beauty Standard
In the past, people looked up to film stars and models as beauty icons. But now, social media influencers and even regular people with filtered photos are setting the standards.
Filters make small changes to faces that seem natural — thinner noses, brighter skin, plumper lips — but they create unrealistic beauty goals. Many young users, especially those aged 17 to 25, start to believe their unfiltered faces are not good enough.
This is changing what people expect when they walk into a cosmetic clinic. “We are seeing more patients using filters as a reference,” says Dr Gupta.
Mental Health Concerns
This isn’t just a cosmetic issue. Mental health experts are also raising red flags. Spending hours looking at filtered faces on social media can affect how people feel about themselves. When someone feels that their natural face is not attractive enough, they may become anxious or depressed.
Some people even develop Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD), a condition where they constantly worry about small or even imagined flaws in their appearance. Several studies have found that heavy use of social media is linked to a rise in BDD symptoms, especially in teenagers.
“Teenagers are still forming their identity. Constant comparisons to filtered images can damage their self-esteem and confidence,” says Dr Gupta.
Influencers Add to the Pressure
Many influencers and celebrities regularly post edited pictures. They have access to makeup artists, editing apps, and sometimes even cosmetic treatments. But their followers may not realize how much effort — and money — goes into looking that way.
When young people try to copy these looks without knowing the truth behind them, they often feel disappointed with their own appearance. This can create a cycle of low self-worth.
What Can Be Done?Experts believe this growing problem needs attention from multiple sides:
Awareness and education: Schools and parents should teach young people that filtered photos are not real. Media literacy can help them understand how social media works.
Loving Your Real Face
Using filters for fun is not a problem. But we must remember that these images are not reality. Filters are tools — not standards for beauty.
Every face is unique. Real smiles, freckles, scars, and natural skin tones should be seen as beautiful too. The more we learn to value our true appearance, the healthier and happier we’ll be — both online and offline.
Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from Health and around the world.
