People are more image-conscious than they have ever been before in this day and age of social media. People use a variety of techniques to make themselves look their best in photographs, including Snapchat filters, editing apps, the ideal lighting, and the ideal angle.
As a result of this "selfie awareness," an increasing number of people are going one step further and seeking the assistance of professionals in order to alter their appearance. An annual survey conducted by the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS) found that in 2017, 55 percent of facial plastic surgeons saw patients who wanted to look better in selfies. This represents a 13 percent increase from the previous year's survey results, and the majority of these patients were under the age of 30.
Five hundred and fifty percent of facial plastic surgeons have seen patients whose primary goal is to improve their appearance in selfies.
Five hundred and fifty percent of facial plastic surgeons have seen patients whose primary goal is to improve their appearance in selfies. (iStock)
The reduction of a double chin is one cosmetic procedure that is gaining in popularity. "With the advent of the filter, people are able to remove the double chin before posting on social media....and they realize that they like their new appearance," said Dr. Melissa Doft of Doft Plastic Surgery in New York City. "They realize that they like their new appearance," said Dr. Melissa Doft of Doft Plastic Surgery in New York City.
There are a variety of approaches that can be taken to remove submental fat (the small bulge that can be found under the chin), and these approaches range from completely non-invasive to straightforward outpatient procedures that can be carried out under local anesthesia.