Snapchat Dysmorphia: Yes, you read that right

In 2015 Snapchat Dysmorphia conned its name. It does not mean dysmorphia only surrounding Snapchat filters, but the blur between reality and selfies as a whole. 

WebMD  discusses the tragic outcome that filters have had on younger generations. Distorting our features on the internet has led us to see ourselves in a new light, and it is not a brighter one. 

The filters offered on Snapchat and the changes in apps like Facetune have led more people under the age of 30 to bring the changes to reality. There has been a rapid incline of cosmetic injections and surgeries from teens to young adults. 

Surgeons aren't necessarily complaining though. Patients are bringing photos of themselves with specific filters as reference photos. Instead of saying they want to look like a celebrity, they already have the altered version of themselves on their phone. Can the surgeon make their nose appear as it does from the right side with a specific filter on? These are questions being asked, and most likely, the surgeon will say yes, for a price. 

What happens when the filters change? Once you've had surgery and see yourself through a new filter? It is a vicious cycle. 

Most want to look their best, but what are the standards, and are they even real? Imagine growing up under the age of ten and seeing your face through various filters and thinking there is something wrong with the one you see in the mirror. These can lead to deeper issues of low self-confidence, depression, and anxiety. 

A good rule to go by is never to trust an image you see on the internet. Society's beauty expectations are at an all-time high. There is no excuse when you can digitally alter yourself and even put a smile onto your face. A long time ago, only professional editors had the access and knowledge to alter the photos of models.

Now anyone can.

 It is deceptive to the audience viewing the photo and to yourself. A smile changes the memory creating a larger disconnect between who we are behind our screens. 

Filters seemed like something fun at first. Cat ears and animations floating around our heads. Then the cat ears began also making noses smaller and eyes and lips larger. 

Our features are what make us unique. Beauty standards are an everchanging current. If you try to keep up, you will drown. Instead of dissociating from ourselves, we should be looking at ourselves through a real lens. Finding the things that make us who we are, in itself, is beautiful and something we should all strive for.