Social Media Dysmorphia - Discover why this Troubling new Trend in Social Media Exists

Snapchat and Instagram have filters that allow users to post photos that smooth out the skin, make the eyes look bigger and add animal faces and fairy ears to the pictures.

There has been a lot of discussion about how these apps and filters may be bad for the self-esteem of users and that they might lead to issues like body dysmorphic disorder. This disorder is “characterized by persistent and intrusive preoccupations with an imagined or slight defect in one’s appearance” according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America.

Patients are even bringing filtered selfies to their plastic surgeons to illustrate what they’re looking to achieve. One doctor has referred to this phenomenon as “Snapchat Dysmorphia” while other argue that Snapchat filters might make people forget what they actually look like in real life.

Before the days of Snapchat and Instagram, altered photos were typically reserved for celebrities and models in ads or magazines. Social media has changed all of that. 

Many of the individuals who undergo cosmetic procedures are women due to the pressure to live up to society’s ever-changing, and sometimes harmful, beauty standards. 

Among the most popular filters are the ones that smooth the skin or blur out perceived imperfections. Patients use these filters as an example of what they want their skin to look like on a daily basis. Patients also take inspiration from the filters that make the eyes look bigger. Achieving these results could require eyelid surgery or Botox injections.

It should be noted that trying to achieve smooth, youthful skin isn’t a new concept and filters just reflect the standards already set in place. Some doctors don’t mind patients that use a filtered image as a basis from which to get cosmetic surgery. The patient is using themselves as a starting point rather than simply trying to copy a celebrity.

The trend of people requesting to look like filtered versions of themselves raises a number of questions about the ethics of cosmetic surgery as well as the influence of social media on cosmetic surgery and beauty standards. Is using a Snapchat or Instagram filtered photo as inspiration realistic? Do filters promote body dysmorphic disorder and/or make people obsessed with perfection? 

While there are no definitive answers to these questions, many doctors are setting realistic expectations and reminding patients that plastic surgery is not going to permanently erase the signs of aging, wrinkles and blemishes on the skin.

(This article originally appeared on huffingtonpost.com)