Abstract
Plastic surgeons and aesthetic medicine professionals often share “before” and “after” clinical cases on social media, but this practice can lead to unintended consequences, such as dysmorphophobia and unrealistic expectations. These before-and-after images, frequently posted on social media, tend to promote unreachable, sometimes retouched, beauty standards, downplaying the complexities of the surgical process, omitting details about postoperative care, recovery, and potential complications. This can create the illusion that perfection is easily attainable through surgery, fostering unrealistic ideals and negatively impacting viewers’ self-image and self-worth. Dysmorphophobia, characterized by an excessive preoccupation with perceived flaws in one’s appearance, is closely linked to social media usage, especially among Caucasian women. Plastic surgeons hold the responsibility to provide honest insights into cosmetic procedures on social media, emphasizing the healing process, potential risks, and limitations. Celebrating diversity in appearance and sharing genuine patient stories can combat idealized beauty standards and reduce the stigma surrounding cosmetic surgery. They must prioritize honesty, provide comprehensive context for their images, and promote a broader view of beauty that includes mental health and individual diversity. Their ethical responsibility extends beyond the operating room and should guide all aspects of their professional practice.
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The authors do not have any commercial associations that might pose or create a conflict of interest with information presented in this communication. No intramural or extramural funding supported any aspect of this work.
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All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.
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Barone, M., De Bernardis, R. & Persichetti, P. Before-and-After Photography on Social Media: The Pursuit of Impossible Beauty. Aesth Plast Surg (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-023-03744-x
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-023-03744-x