Its high time we think twice before we take that selfie. Selfies are notorious not only for causing injuries and death among people lost in the act of clicking themselves with a phone camera, but they also have a disastrous psychological impact, leaving selfie-takers feeling more anxious, less confident, and less physically attractive. The feelings of inadequacy are intense enough to drive many of them to undergo cosmetic surgery to change their facial appearance. These are the findings of a landmark study conducted by The Esthetic Clinics involving 300 patients who presented themselves at its branches in Kolkata, Delhi, Mumbai and Hyderabad for cosmetic surgery procedures.
The study found that people posting selfies untouched without using any filters saw a significant increase in anxiety and a decrease in confidence. Those posting untouched and even retouched selfies also experienced a significant decrease in feelings of physical attractiveness., Taking and posting a selfie on social media resulted in lowered mood and worsened self-image. Participants who had the opportunity to retake and modify their selfie before posting it to social media still experienced decreases to mood and anxiety. Significantly, the majority of people posting selfies wanted to undergo cosmetic surgery and procedures to change their looks. Men and women between 16–25 years of age spend up to 5 hours per week taking selfies and uploading them to their personal profiles, on social media.
Dr Debraj Shome, Director, The Esthetic Clinics stated that “This first-of-its-kind study in India, conducted across four cities, has found that the process of taking, altering and posting selfies negatively affects self-esteem and body image perception, and promotes body dysmorphia. There is a significant negative effect of taking and posting selfies on changes to mood and feelings of physical attractiveness. Patients who took and posted selfies reported feeling more anxious, less confident, and less physically attractive afterwards. Harmful effects of selfies were found even when participants could retake and retouch their selfies. We found that the act of selfies being taken and posted contributes to significant feelings of inadequacy overlooks, and a strong desire to change looks through cosmetic surgery and procedures. We as doctors have a duty today society, to think about the welfare of society. If we don’t take care, India will also become like California in the USA, where a large portion of the population consider cosmetic surgeries”
