What is Snapchat dysmorphia?

We currently live in the digital age where people post the highlights of their lives but not their lowest points. Where we use apps and filters to make our pictures look more aesthetically pleasing. I’m no exception to this. Do you remember when the first batch of Snapchat filters came out? The first one I remember was the rainbow vomit filter! Ah, those were the days. 

I was talking to my friends about how much filters have evolved. Nowadays filters will blur out your skin, change your eye colour, enhance your lips, make your nose look slimmer, and so much more. I made a comment on how unsettling this was to me. I went on to say that in the same way that body dysmorphia is a known disorder, there is bound to be another dysmorphia category created due to the rise in attention these filters are getting. 

Upon further research, I found that Snapchat dysmorphia is a real phenomenon.

What is Snapchat dysmorphia?

Snapchat dysmorphia is a term used to describe one’s desire to look like the filtered version of themselves [1].  It can also be interchangeably referred to as selfie dysmorphia.

“In 2019, 72% of American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery members reported seeing patients seeking cosmetic procedures to improve their selfies.” [1]

How can we navigate this? 

To each their own 

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For me, I approach this topic from a “to each their own” standpoint. If you enjoy using filters you should keep using them and vice versa. However, we owe it to ourselves to be realistic and aware that filters aren’t real life. 

Education 

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We also owe it to the next generation to make sure that they’re equipped to deal with the pressures of body image and realize what is real versus what is not. 

As a kid growing up I remember learning about media literacy and I will always remember this...

Dove - Evolution Commercial 

Back when I was a young impressionable mind, before the social media boom, magazines and ads supposedly established the traditional “standards of beauty”. I remember watching this video and how much it really opened my eyes to what it means to be a model or public figure. This woman went through hours of hair and makeup and in the end, the image is photoshopped and put on a billboard. It clearly shows that just because the wind was flying through her hair, this was by no means an “effortless look”. 

I hope that the curriculum has evolved to teach younger kids how to deal with this new era of filtering the way I was taught about the issues that were pertinent to my generation. I also hope that as adults we continue to educate and uplift ourselves and each other.

Dove | Reverse Selfie | Have #TheSelfieTalk

It is amazing to see that Dove continues to make campaigns to uplift its consumers in a way that aligns with the changing times. They have launched The Selfie Talk campaign to provide resources and helpful information with the goal of instilling confidence and offering support to those who need it.

Seek out positivity 

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I read somewhere that you should unfollow social media accounts that don’t make you feel good about yourself and this is absolutely true! I did this and my Instagram scrolling experience has become that much more enjoyable. Because of this, I actually wrote an article called “5 body positive Instagram accounts to follow”. It lists empowering social media influencers dedicated to spreading positivity. 

Remember that…

Justin Bieber said it best, you’re “picture-perfect you don’t need no filter”. But if you choose to use them, there’s nothing wrong with that. Have fun with them! Just always remember filter or no filter, you are beautiful.