How Do Selfies Influence Us?

The age of technology and information undoubtedly leaves a strong imprint on us, on the way we think and act, on the way we look at the world around us, and also on the way we look at ourselves. Social networks have a very big impact on our image, forcing us, indirectly, to be more aware of the way we look and, implicitly, to want to improve our appearance.

The current generation, of young people aged 18–35, also called the millennials generation, is much more open to change, to the new, much more confident, and has a much greater desire to improve their image.

The impact of selfies on cosmetic surgery

According to various researches, currently, beauty treatments that require cosmetic surgery are beginning to gain ground. According to the American Academy of Plastic and Reconstructive Facial Surgery, 64% of beauticians have seen an increase in injectable treatments in patients under 30 years of age.

Statistics show that young people of the millennial generation use much more courage in minimally invasive surgeries, hyaluronic acid or botox treatments, but also liposuction and breast augmentation procedures, to have the desired body.

This aspect is strongly influenced by social networks that promote pictures and selfies as a way of communication, of transmitting the information. And because the impeccable image is appreciated, envied, and commented on, today's young people make the most of their qualities.

Selfies lower self-esteem…

According to researchers at Pennsylvania State University, selfies affect psychological health and lower self-esteem. The explanation comes from the fact that a person who chooses to post a selfie does so, in most cases, to promote a happy moment, a joy, a fun.

Well, it is normal for the person looking at the picture to conclude that his life is not as active and attractive, and therefore his self-esteem begins to decline.

On the other hand, the researchers also selected a separate category, that of people who enjoy high self-esteem thanks to social networks. This includes those who want online popularity and fame, that is, those who fill their page with such posts about them and their experiences.

… But they make us healthier

Psychology of well-being, the study conducted by researchers at the University of California shows that selfies make us happier and, implicitly, healthier. The 41 students who participated in the research showed a much higher level of endorphins while looking at their selfies than any other picture taken.

The researchers urged everyone to take a daily selfie in the morning. They motivated the recommendation by the fact that our effort to surprise us in the best position, the pleasant result, and the appreciations received on social networks have the role to motivate and impel us, to stimulate the production of endorphins and blood circulation and, thus, to get rid of depression and anxiety, making room for good mood.

Why do we take selfies?

A study conducted by researchers at Brigham Young University in the United States, in which 46 volunteers participated, showed that those who take selfies fall into three broad categories: those who want to communicate something, those who promote autobiography also want to brag.

The first category includes people who post a selfie to start a debate and socialize. The second category includes people who post just to be admired, to be proud of the image or event in which they participate. These people have high self-esteem, but it is not necessary to be evaluated correctly, and they are obsessed with their image which gives them all the interest. In most cases, those in this category are followers of cosmetic interventions and beauty treatments.

The last category, that of biographers, includes people who do not want to brag but promote their image as a form of self-discovery and thus learn to know themselves better, it is a kind of test of physical evolution over time.