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Study: Taking selfies pushing people to get unnecessary plastic surgery

"There is a noted relationship between the increase in selfie photographs and an increase in rhinoplasty requests, particularly among younger patients.""

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By Mark Waghorn via SWNS

Selfies distort the face - and may lead to people undergoing needless plastic surgery, according to a new study from the University of Texas (UT).

Scientists say that self-taken snaps misrepresent looks, especially making the nose appear bigger and can lead to people suffering anxiety and depression.

upset black teen girl at home sofa looking feeling frustration
Nose jobs or rhinoplasties are one of the most common cosmetic surgeries performed in the U.S. (Photo by True Touch Lifestyle via Shutterstock)

Study lead author Professor Bardia Amirlak, of UT, Dallas, said: "As the popularity of selfie photography increases, it is crucial to understand how they distort features and how patients use them to communicate.

"In addition, our findings provide data for manufacturers to improve the societal impact of smartphone cameras.

"We need to increase awareness of how false perceptions on selfies may affect rhinoplasty requests, perceptions of self-image, and subsequent depression and anxiety."

Nose jobs or rhinoplasties are one of the most common cosmetic surgeries performed in the U.S. According to the latest statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, more than 213,000 people receive a nose job each year.

Requests have surged amid the ubiquity of selfies.

A phone's front-facing camera makes the nose look longer and wider than in standard photographs.

On average, it appeared 6.4 and 4.3 percent longer from 12 and 18 inches away, respectively.

Selfies also led to the nose appearing wider - and the chin shorter, the study found.

The unflattering images may start you thinking about rhinoplasty or other procedures, warned the researchers.

Prof Amirlak said: "These data allow for a more precise conversation between the surgeon and the patient."

Selfies and social media are fueling a surge of interest in plastic surgery - with camera distance and focal length key to the phenomenon.

Nose reshaping is the most frequent operation - with more than 350,000 Americans going under the knife each year.

Prof Amirlak said: "There is a noted relationship between the increase in selfie photographs and an increase in rhinoplasty requests, particularly among younger patients."

Portrait of afro woman taking selfies with her mophile phone while eating ice-cream. Technology and lifestyle concept.
(Photo by Mix Tape via Shutterstock)

In the study, 30 volunteers sat for a series of three photographs – two with a smartphone 12 and 18 inches away and one with a digital camera from five feet.

All were taken at the same session with the same lighting. Measurements of photo 'landmarks' - including the nose, lip, chin and facial width - were then compared.

Participants also completed questionnaires rating their satisfaction with their appearance in the images.

Such clinical photographs are an important part of the discussion of goals and expected outcomes between patients and plastic surgeons.

There was a 12 percent decrease in the length of the chin on 12-inch selfies - increasing the ratio of nose to chin by a whopping 17 percent.

Selfies also made the base of the nose appear wider relative to the face.

The 'changes' were reflected by the participants in questionnaires rating satisfaction with their appearance in the images.

Consistent with the clinical experiences of Prof Amirlak and colleagues, they were readily apparent when the three photographs were viewed side by side.

It may be affecting mental health - particularly at a time of rising rates of teen suicide and depression.

Prof Amirlak added: "Our study further supports the concern that selfies can negatively affect perceived facial appearance."

A recent survey found three million people in the UK are planning to undergo a cosmetic procedure in 2022.

One in five Britons no longer post photos on social media without using editing tools that remove wrinkles, spots and stretch marks. Four in ten prefer their filtered face.

For young women in particular, selfies can reduce confidence. Those who take a larger number before choosing one to post on Instagram are prone to higher levels of body surveillance and more symptoms of depression.

The findings were published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, the official medical journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).

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