Dr. Rady Rahban and the Ripple Effect of Social Media Beauty Filters

We all know students love apps like Instagram and Snapchat, but their filters and special effects  distort images and lead to unrealistic expectations of how a person should look. Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. Rady Rahban believes social media is driving more students to want to go under the knife.

Social media can set unrealistic beauty standards

Aesthetic icons are nothing new. From Cleopatra to Bella Hadid, from James Dean to Justin Beiber, there will always be people looked at as the “standard” for beauty. But with high definition cameras in phones and apps that allow you to reshape your body, Dr. Rahban says the beauty standard is becoming more and more unattainable. People have always wanted to look their best and change things they don’t see as attractive. But what happens when a student wants to adjust their body based on a heavily-photoshopped image they see online?

Students see images daily that are heavily doctored to completely transform how a person looks. There are apps, like Facetune, that have filters to distort faces and bodies before a picture is taken. Dr. Rahban says this distorted reality leads young students to his office, sometimes without their parents knowing, to ask to look like their favorite celebrities and social media influencers. Some ask to look exactly like a photoshopped or altered image. But Dr. Rahban says the look these students desire is actually unattainable.

Social media impact on plastic surgeon

Dr. Rahban doesn’t allow people to bring social media images into his practice. He says he focuses on helping people look like the best versions of themselves, instead of an unrealistic photo.

Unrealistic social media photos can lead to low self esteem and poor body image.

It’s important for parents to help their students be happy and love who they are. If your student expresses an unhealthy sense of body image or has asked to change their nose, chest, or some other area - know that it’s okay to talk with them about these issues.

There’s a fine line, Dr. Rahban says, between having a healthy sense of self and wanting to make an adjustment versus having low self esteem and wanting to look like someone else.

Conclusion

At Smart Social, we teach students how to be Light, Bright, and Polite on their phones and on social media so they can one day shine online. We know how important it is for students to feel good, both on the outside and the inside. Talk to your students about their self worth and help them see themselves for the beautiful and wonderful people they truly are.

For more information about plastic surgery and about Dr. Rahban, you can listen to his podcast, Plastic Surgery Uncensored.