Algorithmic Beauty: The New Beauty Standard.

Abstract

Background: Algorithms on various social media platforms feed users what it considers "beautiful", impacting the aesthetic desires of patients as well as beauty ideals.

Objective: To discuss how algorithms on social media platforms personalize feeds and influence a patient's preference for procedures.

Methods: YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok's websites were searched for how their algorithms function. A narrative review of the literature pertaining to social media and cosmetic procedures was also conducted using PubMed.

Results/discussion: Social media platforms personalize feeds for their users. Identifying exactly what a patient is exposed to on social media and how that influences their preference for cosmetic procedures presents a challenge at various levels. Social media usage appears to at least influence cosmetic procedure consideration. The desired appearance may be impacted by location, repeated exposure, and familiarity.

Conclusion: While impossible to predict the next beauty trend, it is important to understand how algorithms and artificial intelligence may play an increasing role in a patient’s visual diet and how their aesthetic goals are thereby affected. Using social media platforms and understanding market trends can guide dermatologists to provide evidence-based education, dispel misinformation, and anchor patients in reality while understanding the cosmetic procedures that patients seek. J Drugs Dermatol. 2024;23(9):742-746.  doi:10.36849/JDD.8074.