Beauty Filters as a Gateway to Cosmetic Procedures

Source: freepik / freepik

Written in collaboration with Micole Abdelhak

In recent years, artificial intelligence (AI) has become the unexpected architect of beauty standards, subtly redefining our self-image through the filters we apply to our digital selves. From Snapchat’s transformative lenses to Instagram’s flattering enhancements, AI-powered beauty filters are not just changing how we look but also shaping how we see ourselves and others. This post delves into the influence of these digital tools on our self-perception, attitudes toward cosmetic enhancements, and mental health.

Understanding AI-Powered Beauty Filters

Beauty filters are digital tools that leverage AI and augmented reality to modify one’s appearance in real-time. These filters, now ubiquitous across social media platforms and photo-editing apps, range from the dramatic to the discreet, such as the “Touch-up My Appearance” feature on Zoom. They use AI algorithms to map facial features, superimposing enhancements like smoothed skin, contoured face shapes, and resized eyes and lips. Trained on extensive facial image data sets, AI can recognize a plethora of face shapes, skin tones, and expressions, customizing enhancements to create an often idealized portrayal of the user.

The Ubiquity and Appeal of Beauty Filters

Snapchat’s research shows more than 90 percent of young people in the United States, France, and the United Kingdom use filters. Similarly, Meta reports that more than 600 million people have interacted with filters on Facebook or Instagram. Zoom users have also embraced the feature, with their 2.2 million users having access to the platform’s appearance touch-ups. These tools are designed to polish one’s digital presentation, by altering skin tone, resizing facial features, and brightening smiles. But, beyond cosmetic play, what drives users to these filters?

The Allure and Pressure of Filters Among Young Adults

The Dove Self-Esteem Project in 2020 found an alarming trend: 80 percent of girls had used an app or filter to change their appearance by age 13, and 94 percent of young women reported pressure to look a certain way. In a world where peer validation often comes in the form of social media engagement, filters become a tool for conforming to these pressures, potentially undermining self-esteem in pursuit of digital validation.

Professional Image and "Zoom Face Dysphoria" Among Older Adults

For older adults, the motivation leans toward maintaining a professional appearance, which was especially evident during the pandemic. Many users became so distracted by their perceived facial imperfections in their on-camera image, it became difficult to stay focused on their work and they felt compelled to take action. The phenomenon of “Zoom Face Dysphoria” arose as people attempted to create an impeccable image in a world dominated by video calls.

The Consequences of Filters: A Gateway to Aesthetic Procedures

The pervasiveness of beauty filters has a notable effect on individuals’ attitudes toward plastic surgery. The use of filters is positively correlated with the consideration of aesthetic procedures and a tangible uptick in such procedures (Hermans, 2022). Selfie posting frequency on social media platforms and using beauty filters are linked to a greater likelihood of contemplating cosmetic enhancements (Chen et al., 2019).

Dermatologists report a significant number of patients voicing their cosmetic concerns during video consultations, and public interest in cosmetic surgery has spiked, as evidenced by Google trends analyses (Thawanyarat et al., 2022). Moreover, the "Zoom Effect" has increased concerns over appearance and heightened interest in aesthetic procedures, as indicated by a surge in consultations during and after pandemic restrictions. (Rice et al., 2021).

The Complex Relationship Between Aesthetic Procedures and Self-Esteem

Patients with realistic expectations experience a boost in self-esteem after aesthetic procedures designed to improve their appearance (Castle, 2002). However, the story isn’t as straightforward for everyone. Individuals with anxiety, depression, or body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) may find these procedures exacerbate their conditions. Approximately 15 percent of plastic surgery candidates have BDD, and few find lasting satisfaction post-surgery (Higgins & Wysong, 2017). The quest for physical perfection can become a never-ending cycle of dissatisfaction, mainly as BDD tends to worsen with age and may co-exist with other psychiatric conditions.

Navigating the Digital Reflection

The complex relationship between beauty filters, the pursuit of cosmetic enhancements, and mental health requires careful navigation. While AI innovations provide new avenues for creativity and expression, they raise serious questions about self-perception and psychological health. As filters become increasingly sophisticated and lifelike, the boundaries between real and virtual beauty blur, potentially distorting self-image and expectations.

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The challenge for the selfie generation is recognizing the artificiality of filter-enhanced images and resisting the urge to measure their own beauty against these unrealistic standards. For older users, maintaining a professional appearance online should not cost one’s mental health.

Mental health professionals, aesthetic medicine practitioners, and those crafting these AI tools must work together to address the potential harms associated with beauty filters. This effort might include setting realistic expectations for surgery outcomes, counseling those with BDD, and promoting a digital environment that celebrates authentic beauty in all its forms. In the end, our reflections in the mirror of social media should enhance, not detract from, our well-being.

Copyright 2024 Tara Well, Ph.D.