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AMM 278: How Social Media Shapes Cosmetic Choices: Discover the Impact
November 28, 2024
This episode explores how Gen Z in New York City is reshaping beauty ideals, shifting away from heavily augmented looks towards a more natural aesthetic. A recent study shows 40% of Gen Z view cosmetic surgery as making people “less attractive,” favoring authenticity. Dermatologists discuss this trend, noting a decline in requests to replicate celebrities’ features and a focus on subtle enhancements. Social media influences have created an informed audience wary of fillers, though education helps dispel myths. While Botox remains popular, jaw fillers represent new trends aligned with social media standards, reflecting a broader cultural embrace of individuality and nuance.
Quick Takes
- Gen Z beauty ideals in New York are shifting towards a ‘barely there’ approach, moving away from heavily augmented faces.
- Recent study by Newsweek shows 40 percent of Gen Z view cosmetic surgery as a way to look “less attractive,” prioritizing authenticity over artificiality.
- Dermatologists in New York City notice a trend towards subtle enhancements over mimicking an ‘Instagram Face,’ with a growing interest in jaw fillers reflecting social media-driven standards.
Episode Transcript
Today is November 28th, 2024, coinciding with American Thanksgiving, which places an interesting lens on the evolving beauty ideals of Gen Z in the urban buzz of New York—a city as dynamic as these trends. This notably young demographic appears to be steering away from the heavily augmented faces that marked millennial aesthetic aspirations, opting instead for a ‘barely there’ approach to beauty. According to a recent study by Newsweek, nearly 40 percent of Gen Z participants perceive cosmetic surgery as a pathway to looking “less attractive.” It appears they’re advocating for authenticity over artificiality.
Interestingly, dermatologists like Dr. Georgina Ferzli and Dr. Rachel Nazarian, both based in the bustling beauty hub of New York City, highlight this shift; patients are no longer coming in with celebrity photos as a blueprint. The focus for many is on achieving subtle enhancements rather than mimicking an ‘Instagram Face.’ The influence of social media discussions around these topics has prompted a more educated audience, with concerns over fillers becoming a pertinent talking point—though often dispelled with the right information.
More intriguingly, while Botox remains a staple for wrinkle prevention, the requests for jaw fillers reflect a new frontier of aesthetics aligned with social media-driven standards. The nonchalant nod to the future from individuals like Riley, a 23-year-old paralegal from Brooklyn, captures this zeitgeist—a nuanced interplay of maintaining youthful vibrancy without compromising individuality. As always, keeping pace with these trends is vital—they’re as much a reflection of identity as they are art.
