If social media is to be believed then we all need plastic surgery

According to the world of social media, embracing your own individual appearance has truly become a thing of the past. Some Gen Z and Gen Alpha social media users have adopted a mindset where aging is so frowned upon that girls as young as ten are beginning to use anti-aging products. Dermatologists have said, “they’re seeing more and more children as patients with several-step skincare routines, more-often filled with products they either don’t need or that are harming their skin.”

There are TikTok comments from young tween and teen girls saying “I hope I don’t look like her at 25” on completely normal videos, promoting the dysmorphic idea that aging is bad, and that a ten-step skincare routine, expensive makeup and plastic surgery are the solution to becoming who social media wants them to be. There are also the Sephora kids – tween girls with seemingly endless money causing products such as Drunk Elephant, Glow Recipe, Summer Fridays, and Sol De Janeiro to sell out. These products are made for adults with the most popular among them retinol and salicylic acid treatments.

However, the dark side of this quest for perfection is emerging. One account that recently gained notoriety on TikTok was Dr. Kim and featured videos showcasing patient’s complete facial reconstruction surgeries. These often involved people ending up looking very similar to each other, in their quest for youthful perfection. However, it also featured patients three days post-op when their faces looked the most shocking. Debate raged about whether the account was genuine and it has since disappeared, with claims it was removed by TikTok. The account going viral however, has started a conversation about the purpose and value of plastic surgery.

Hopefully this expands to include the idea that identical skincare routines and makeup while not permanent, leave very little room for individuality to shine through. To break the ongoing cycle it is important to accept your own ‘flaws’ and to remember that being truly beautiful involves loving yourself, not the person that social media wants you to be the latest clone of.