Selfies may be one of the hottest digital trends of the moment. Though you may associate these smartphone self-portraits with Millennials, even Baby Boomers are getting in on the action! Plus, did you see Ellen’s infamous Oscar selfie – the one that actually brought Twitter to its knees? Love them or hate them, selfies are everywhere, and plastic surgeons in Miami even believe that they are causing a bump in facial procedures.

Recently, the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS) released the results of a poll on plastic surgery trends. The AAFPRS asked members to identify the most common procedures and provide feedback on patient influences. Unsurprisingly, many cosmetic surgeons cited concerns about social media images as a contributing factor to their patients’ decision to go under the knife.

“These images are often the first impressions young people put out there to prospective friends, romantic interests and employers and our patients want to put their best face forward,” AAFPRS president and plastic surgeon Dr. Edward Farrior explained in a press release. Dr. Farrior specifically cited “image-based” apps such as Instagram and SnapChat as the leading culprits behind the surge in self-scrutiny. 

Of course, social media is not the source of physical insecurity, it simply makes it more difficult to ignore the features we dislike. If you are truly dissatisfied with the way you look, consider consulting a board-certified plastic surgeon about your options. Dr. Christopher Craft offers eyelid surgery, liposuction, breast augmentation surgery and other procedures to help you look your best, and will work with you to determine if plastic surgery is the best option. Contact us today to learn more about these procedures.