New Poll Shows Social Media is Influencing Cosmetic Surgery

    PASO ROBLES, CA, June 29, 2013 /24-7PressRelease/ -- According to a recent poll from the American Academy of Facial and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS), the latest plastic surgery trend is not a specific procedure, but focuses instead on people wanting to look their best in their online social media profiles. Sites such as Facebook that feature prominent online profile photos are driving home the need for site members to look their best in digital format, a trend that the founders of the cosmetic surgery news site BeautySmoothie (http://www.beautysmoothie.com) have noticed as well.

"People have always wanted to look their best, but now that definition extends into their online lives as well," says Scott Tobin, whose plastic surgery news site offers articles and blog posts for prospective cosmetic surgery patients. "Cosmetic procedures ensure that patients can look their best even in candid shots."

The poll, taken annually by AAFPRS, indicated that surgeons last year saw an increase of 31 percent in plastic surgery requests from patients listing "social media" as their reason for wanting their procedures. Surgeons are also seeing an uptick in procedures performed on younger people in order to ensure flawless profile pictures, sometimes referred to as the "Facebook Facelift."

"A great photo goes a long way," explains Tobin. "People are using online profiles for everything from finding their next job to getting their next date. That's a lot of pressure to look perfect."

In addition to social media sites, programs such as Skype and FaceTime use video calling software that can be used either personally or professionally, putting users under even greater scrutiny especially in professional situations. Facial features are more prominent in photos and video than they are in real life, which in turn makes users more self-conscious than ever.

The end-of-year statistics from the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) show an increase in procedures that work to help patients look younger and more refreshed. Minimally invasive treatments such as injectable fillers, chemical peels and BOTOX Cosmetic injections increased 10 percent from the previous year, and have seen a 461.3 percent increase since 1997. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) reports that facial procedures saw the most growth among all cosmetic procedures in 2012.

Popular procedures for looking better on social media sites include BOTOX Cosmetic injections to smooth away wrinkles, injectable fillers to restore lost facial volume or plump up lips, and chemical peels or laser resurfacing to minimize fine lines and wrinkles while evening out skin tone. More advanced signs of aging may require surgical procedures like a facelift, brow lift or eyelid surgery to tighten lax muscles and restore a smoother, more youthful look to profile pictures.

"Social media lets you connect with new professional contacts with an immediacy that's never been possible until now," says Tobin, whose cosmetic surgery news site provides resources for patients who may want to improve their online profile pictures. "Your first impression might be made long before you ever meet in person, so it's essential to make a great one."

A collaborative effort among cosmetic and plastic surgeons from across the country, BeautySmoothie (http://www.beautysmoothie.com) helps women and men make smart cosmetic choices based on information and opinions from highly regarded specialists in the health and beauty field. Our contributors have been specially selected because of their experience and training in aesthetic medicine, and regularly provide professional opinions on the latest trends in cosmetic dermatology, plastic surgery, medical spa procedures, and many other cosmetic options.

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