Social Media Helping to Boost Plastic Surgery

by April Maguire

There has never been a better time to be a plastic surgeon. Since 2000, the number of cosmetic procedures performed in the United States has risen more than 110%. In fact, last year alone Americans underwent more than 16 million cosmetic enhancement procedures, raking in billions of dollars for the plastic surgery industry in the process.

So what is responsible for the growing popularity of cosmetic procedures? Well, like so many things nowadays, a lot of it can be traced back to social media.

The Power of Facebook, Instagram and Twitter

The number of pictures on the Internet is, to put it simply, staggering. According to recent statistics, more than a trillion photographs are taken every single year, and there is no way to discount the power that all of those images have on people's perceptions of themselves.

Recently, a survey from the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery gave us a glimpse of just how powerful all of those photos are. According to the survey, nearly half of plastic surgeons claimed that their patients sought out cosmetic enhancement in order to look better in their social media selfies. Perhaps not surprisingly, it seems that constantly looking at pictures of yourself gives you ample opportunity to fixate on aspects of your appearance that you want to change.

But the impact that social media is having on the plastic surgery industry doesn't end there. Nowadays, celebrities are able to reach out to their fans directly, talking about surgical procedures that they have had performed, and of course pictures of them are all over social media as well. As a result, the practice of cosmetic enhancement has become normalized, and millions of Millennials seek out certain procedures as a way to follow in the footsteps of their favorite celebrities.

Also, it's important not to discount the influence that plastic surgeons themselves have within the social media sphere. Virtually every cosmetic surgeon has Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat pages extolling the virtues of their practices, complete with before and after pictures of some of their best work. These striking images can often have a profound impact on even the strongest plastic surgery skeptic.

So what does all of this mean? Well, since social media shows no signs of waning in popularity, it would seem that its impact on plastic surgery is going to continue. After all, as long as humanity continues to take and post a trillion pictures a year, it's a safe bet that at least some of those are going to inspire people to undergo cosmetic enhancement.

If you or someone you know would like to learn more about plastic surgery, please feel free to schedule a consultation or contact one of our representatives today!

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Dr. David A. Bottger

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