Social Media and Its Effects on Beauty

Abstract

Beauty is concerned with physical and mental health as both are intimately related. Short-term decisions to alter one's body structure irrespective of genetic, environmental, occupational and nutritional needs can leave medium-and long-term effects. This chapter analyzes the role of social media and its effects on the standards of beauty. The researchers have summarized the literature on how social media plays a role in affecting beauty trends, body image and self-esteem concerns. There is support that social media affects individuals negatively, in pushing them to engage in life threatening beauty trends due to social compliance and acceptance in society. The aim was to review social networking sites' impact on perception of standards of beauty and newer unrealistic trends gaining popularity that could alter opinions and also cause harm to individuals in the long run. This is an emerging area of research that is of high importance to the physical and mental health in the beauty, health and hospitality industry with the latter being manifested in depression, anxiety and fear of non-acceptability and being seen as a social gauche.

The e-WOM intention of artificial intelligence (AI) color cosmetics among Chinese social media influencers

“…Sharing photos or videos is one of the most prevalent online activities, resulting in the emergence of AI color cosmetics (beauty) applications (Henriques and Patnaik, 2020). AI color cosmetics applications enable users to enhance the aesthetic of their photos online (Barker, 2020), thereby attracting more likes (or loves) from fellow social media users.…”

The Influence of Social Network Content on the Perception of Smiles—A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…The use of websites and applications to make and distribute content or to interact in social networking is referred to as “social media” [ 15 ]. The development of technology in this era has led to the connection of individuals globally, to easier obtaining and exchange of information through various applications and social networks, but also to the setting of esthetic standards among the younger population [ 16 ]. Social networks have become an indispensable part of our lives and their contents can positively or negatively affect us [ 17 ].…”

Satisfaction with dental appearance in two cohorts of 75‐year‐olds examined in 2007 and 2017: A repeated cross‐sectional study

“…Social media plays no small part in the setting of popular standards regarding body image, beauty, how people view themselves in society and even job prospects. 1 The frenzied focus on body image as espoused on numerous interactive websites for social networking portray those people who are physically attractive as having a higher occupational status, possessing higher self-esteem, being more socially outgoing and even to be more pleasant company. 2 To be good-looking may not be important only for the young generation but also for the old.…”

“…Physical attractiveness is more than ever considered an important, if not overriding, factor for happiness and success in modern society and especially so within developed countries. Social media plays no small part in the setting of popular standards regarding body image, beauty, how people view themselves in society and even job prospects 1 . The frenzied focus on body image as espoused on numerous interactive websites for social networking portray those people who are physically attractive as having a higher occupational status, possessing higher self‐esteem, being more socially outgoing and even to be more pleasant company 2 …”