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A Systematic Review on the Reinforcement Loop in Aesthetic Medicine and Surgery: The Interplay of Social Media, Self-Perception, and Repeat Procedures

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  • Non-Surgical Procedures
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A Correction to this article was published on 21 May 2024

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Abstract

Introduction

This systematic review delves into the impact of social media on self-perception and the escalating interest in clinical aesthetic procedures, proposing that social media significantly influences beauty standards and increases demand for aesthetic enhancements.

Method

Following PRISMA guidelines, a mixed-method analysis of 34 articles was conducted, sourced from various databases, focusing on social media's psychological effects on clinical aesthetics decisions. The studies encompassed a broad spectrum, including qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methodologies, reflecting diverse geographical and cultural perspectives.

Results

The quantitative analysis demonstrated a strong positive correlation between social media usage and the consideration of aesthetic procedures (r=0.45, p<0.001), indicating a significant impact. Specific findings included a large effect size (Cohen's d=0.8) for the relationship between time spent on social media and the desire for aesthetic enhancements. Individuals spending more than 3 hours per day on social media platforms were twice as likely to consider aesthetic procedures compared to those with less usage, with a 95% confidence interval indicating robustness in these findings.

Conclusion

Confirming the reinforcing effect of social media on aesthetic decision-making, this study highlights the complex interplay between digital media exposure, altered self-perception, and the increased inclination towards aesthetic procedures. It suggests a critical need for practitioners to carefully navigate the digital influence on patient’s desires, reinforcing the significance of understanding psychological motivations and societal pressures in clinical aesthetics. This comprehensive analysis offers pivotal insights for clinical practice and ongoing research into social media's role in contemporary beauty standards.

Level of Evidence III

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Funding

This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Research and Innovation Hub, Innovation Aesthetics, London, WC2H 9JQ, UK

    Eqram Rahman & William Richard Webb

  2. The Skin Address, Aesthetic Dermatology Practice, Bangalore, India

    Parinitha Rao

  3. Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, China

    Nanze Yu

  4. Private practice in dermatology, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

    Patricia E Garcia

  5. Plastic Surgery Clinic, 546 21, Thessaloniki, Greece

    Sotirios Ioannidis

  6. Nomi Oslo, Oslo, Norway

    Karim Sayed

  7. University of Southeast Norway, Notodden, Norway

    Karim Sayed

  8. Hautzentrum Koeln, Cologne, Germany

    Wolfgang G Philipp-Dormston

  9. Faculty of Health, University Witten/Herdecke, Witten, Germany

    Wolfgang G Philipp-Dormston

  10. Royal Free Hospital, Hempstead, London, UK

    Ash Mosahebi

  11. Department of Ophthalmology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada

    Jean DA Carruthers

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  1. Eqram Rahman
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Contributions

Eqram Rahman: Conceptualization, Methodology, Data Curation, Original draft preparation, reviewing and editing; Parinitha Rao: Methodology, Data curation, original draft preparation, reviewing and editing; William Richard Webb: Methodology, Data curation, Original draft preparation, Reviewing and Editing; Nanze Yu: Methodology, Data curation, Original draft preparation, Reviewing and Editing; Patricia Garcia: Methodology, Data curation, Original draft preparation, Reviewing and Editing; Sotirios Ioannidis: Methodology, Data curation, Original draft preparation, Reviewing and Editing; Karim Sayed: Reviewing and Editing; Wolfgang G Philipp dormston: Reviewing and Editing; Jean D A Carruthers: Reviewing and Editing; Ash Mosahebi: Reviewing and Editing.

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Correspondence to Eqram Rahman.

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Rahman, E., Webb, W.R., Rao, P. et al. A Systematic Review on the Reinforcement Loop in Aesthetic Medicine and Surgery: The Interplay of Social Media, Self-Perception, and Repeat Procedures. Aesth Plast Surg 48, 3475–3487 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-024-04016-y

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