New Delhi: College student Shayna John was not happy with her nose. And to give it the perfect shape, she recently underwent nose correction surgery — all this for her profile picture on Facebook.
Cosmetic surgeons said an increasing number of people, especially school and college students, across India are going under the knife to get that perfect face for their Facebook account.
The trend is growing as social media, along with online dating, has today become the common trend. The way one looks online is considered to be the first impression of one’s overall image and personality.
Popularly known as ‘Facebook Facelifts’, aesthetic plastic suregons said it is equally common among men.
According to Anup Dhir, chief cosmetic surgeon, Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, good looks are desired by all humans and cosmetic surgery is an effective tool to fulfil this desire.
“People want to look attractive on social sites. This trend is gaining popularity. Many girls and boys are coming forward for Facebook Facelift — a word coined in west — to acquire aesthetically pleasing looks,” Dhir told IANS.
Dhir said young women mostly opt for rhinoplasties or nose jobs, lip injections or brow lifts, while young men prefer laser treatments to remove unwanted hair and scars.
Women also go for chemical peeling, botox and body contouring to get those attractive looks, the doctor added.
Image-conscious men
“An interesting trend I have noticed is that men are more conscious about their looks. I get 30 to 40 queries in a month and 50 per cent of them opt for procedures,” he said.
The treatment varies as per the recipient’s age, genetics and lifestyle, Dhir said.
“The people coming for such treatment are in the age group of 20-40 years and the majority of them are in their late 20s or early 30s. This treatment helps in having a more attractive and striking look from a social media perspective,” Dhir said.
Annie Singh, a first year Delhi University student, said she went under the knife to get the perfect mugshot for her profile photo.
“I hated my nose. So I decided to undergo rhinoplasty. I also went for chemical peeling to remove pigmentation and get a glowing spotless skin. I have got so many compliments from my friends on Facebook and it feels good,” Singh told IANS.
John, a final year English student, said looking good on Facebook is the new ‘in’ thing.
“It is not just a platform to meet new friends or keep a tab on existing ones, it can also be used for professional work,” she said.
“Through Facebook, one can get so many opportunities like modelling, acting or even marriage proposals. So, if I put up my best picture with a perfect face, it will do no harm. I am very happy after undergoing rhinoplasty,” the 23-year-old said.
Facelift options
Experts said an increasing number of professionals are also choosing facelift options.
“A lot of people come for nose correction as the nose is the most prominent part of the face. Many youngsters also opt for face contouring to get a chiselled face and look good for socialising,” Ajaya Kashyap, senior cosmetic surgeon at Nova Specialty Surgery, told IANS.
Kashyap said there are some non-surgical treatments also available for getting that aesthetic look.
Anuradha Chopra, a receptionist in a private company, decided to undergo laser treatment for permanent hair removal on her upper lip and plastic surgery to reshape her chin.
“I didn’t like the way I looked in online photos. Before the advent of Facebook and similar websites, I hadn’t noticed my weak chin. After spending so much time on social media pages, I decided to have a surgeon reshape my chin,” Chopra told IANS.
“I feel happy when I see my photographs now. The compliments are flowing. It makes me feel good,” Chopra added.
