Impact of Social Media and Photo-Editing Practice on Seeking Cosmetic Dermatology Care

BACKGROUND: The use of social media and photo-editing practice has grown enormously over the past decades. Photo editing can alter a person's desire to look better in photographs posted on social media platforms. OBJECTIVE: To assess the cosmetic dermatology seeking behavior of social media users and those who edit photographs before posting them on social media platforms. METHODS: A validated self-administered structured questionnaire via Google form was sent to 550 social media users in Nepal. It included 5 sub-headings: use of social networking sites, photo-editing practices, awareness and motivation about cosmetic dermatology care, cosmetic dermatology care seeking behavior and self-esteem. RESULTS: Facebook and Instagram were the preferred social networking sites for posting photographs. One-fourth of the participants edited >40% of the total photos posted in social media. Hiding skin lesions was the most common reason (36.3%) for photograph editing. Fifty percent of the respondents felt the need to look better; repair skin damage; be able to look good without make up; look younger; feel happier and improve total quality of life as a "lot and top" motivation for using the cosmetic dermatological procedures. A majority preferred to seek cosmetic dermatology care from non-dermatologists because they felt dermatologist visit was not needed, the services were costly and they could not visit due to their busy schedule. On multivariate analysis, respondents who were aware of skin care favored seeking cosmetic dermatology care from dermatologists. CONCLUSION: Higher investment in social media and photo-editing practices might be associated with increased non-dermatologist seeking behavior.