The rise of video conferring during the pandemic opened our eyes to a discovery. Hours of staring straight into our faces and watching our reactions to everyday conversations have forced many to re-evaluate their looks—the result: A Zoom Boom.
Cosmetic plastic surgeons expected their businesses to take a nose dive during the pandemic but were pleasantly surprised to see an uptick in regular and new customers. But is this trend beneficial, and should you participate in it?
What Is the Zoom Boom?
Zoom Boom is a nickname given to the unprecedented demand for cosmetic plastic surgery procedures following the pandemic lockdown. Cosmetic surgeons claimed that this spike resulted from endless virtual online meetings using Zoom and similar video conferring apps.
When the pandemic forced people to work from home, millions turned to video conferencing to maintain social connections and continue working. As people stared into their screens, they were given more time to scrutinize their faces and discover less-than-ideal features.
Our web cameras are not designed to highlight our best features. Laggy internet connections, wrong lighting sources, and sitting too close to the screen were unavoidable circumstances that brought out the worst angles of our faces and exaggerated less-than-ideal looks.
It’s like looking at a mirror and watching our different expressions in a dimly lit room. People noticed wrinkles, baggy eyes, an imperfect jawline, an obtrusive nose, and many others. The desire to overcome these imperfections has led many to flock to plastic surgery clinics.
Zoom and the Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Industry
A March 2021 study published in the International Journal of Women’s Dermatology revealed that among dermatologists who were surveyed, 86% reported that their patients cited video conferencing as the reason for seeking cosmetic treatment.
These findings were validated by a November 2021 study published by Oxford Academic that revealed how increased video calling utilization was associated with an increased acceptance of aesthetic surgery.
A poll published in the Facial Plastic Surgery & Aesthetic Medicine revealed that 40% of participants who never considered facial cosmetic tweaks in the past are now planning to pursue these treatments. They cited video conferencing concerns as the primary motivator.
According to the AAFPRS and ASPS, rhinoplasty, eyelid surgery, and facelifts topped the non-invasive list as the most sought-after procedures due to the Zoom Boom. These facial reconstructive surgeries can also be conveniently hidden using masks as they recover.
The Psychological Impact of Zoom
Psychologists feel that the Zoom Boom encourages an unrealistic view of our bodies and may lead to obsessive-compulsive disorder. Dr. Arianne Shadi Kourosh, MD, MPH, coined Zoom Dysmorphia to describe the negative self-opinion a person forms after seeing themselves regularly on a virtual platform. This self-criticism is exacerbated by the Zoom Grid, where you can quickly compare your looks to the person beside you.
Staring at yourself for long periods while speaking or interacting with others on a virtual screen creates an inaccurate representation of your actual appearance. These inaccuracies can form a warped self-image that is often damaging.
In fact, 82% of respondents in the March 2021 study mentioned above indicated that their patients were significantly unhappy due to their appearance in video conferencing apps.
Overcoming the Harsh Reality of the Zoom Boom
They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder. But what happens when what the eye sees is mired with inaccuracies? We all know that the virtual screen isn’t the best depiction of ourselves, but we still want to put our best foot—or face—forward.
Here are some tips to look good on Zoom that are better than getting a cosmetic facelift.
1. Use a good light source. Often, camera issues are the result of bad lighting. Most of us use overhead lights and the screen’s glow to illuminate our faces on Zoom. Try using a ring light that distributes light evenly across the face, providing better illumination and eliminating shadows.
2. Learn how to apply makeup. Makeup schools can teach you how to accentuate your best features and hide your weak spots. The skills you’ll learn will go beyond virtual meetings and help you navigate the return to physical interactions.
3. Seek a makeup professional. If you have a really important Zoom event to attend, like being the guest speaker at a webinar, let a professional makeup artist handle your look. They can transform your face to look more professional and help increase your confidence levels 10x more than cosmetic surgery.
Cosmetic surgery is not always the answer to improving one’s appearance. Remember that any unnatural procedure—invasive or not—carries certain risks. Results are never permanent, and you need constant maintenance to keep up the look.
In contrast, learning about makeup and hiring a professional will help you achieve a natural look that works with your features and brings out your natural beauty.