If you've spent any time on social media recently, you've probably noticed that people seem to be aging differently than they did a decade ago. Skin appears smoother, bodies seem more symmetrical and imperfections have become increasingly difficult to find. It is easy to look at these images and wonder whether everyone else has discovered something you haven't.
The reality is that our reference point has changed.
As a cosmetic and reconstructive surgeon, I spend a great deal of time talking to patients about the relationship they have with their bodies. What has become increasingly apparent over the past several years is that many people are no longer comparing themselves to other people. They are comparing themselves to images that have been carefully curated, digitally enhanced or, more recently, generated or refined using artificial intelligence.
This does not mean that concerns about appearance are not genuine. It does, however, mean that the context in which those concerns develop deserves careful consideration.
How Our Definition of "Normal" Has Changed
One of the most fascinating aspects of human psychology is that our brains rely on familiarity to determine what feels normal. The more often we are exposed to something, the more likely we are to accept it as an expected part of the world around us. Psychologists have studied this phenomenon for decades, describing it as the mere exposure effect. While the principle has broad applications, it also helps explain why our expectations around appearance can shift without us realizing it.
Ten or fifteen years ago, most photographs still reflected the natural variation that exists between people. Faces had asymmetry, skin had texture and bodies reflected different proportions, stages of life and the ordinary changes that come with aging.
Today, the images we encounter are often different. Editing software has become increasingly sophisticated and artificial intelligence has made it easier than ever to subtly alter photographs. These changes are rarely dramatic enough to attract attention. Instead, they are small refinements that become powerful through repetition.
When we see thousands of these images over time, they begin to shape our expectations. Gradually, edited images stop looking exceptional and begin to look ordinary.
The Impact on Body Image
Research has consistently demonstrated that exposure to idealized images on social media is associated with greater body dissatisfaction and increased appearance-based comparison. The issue is not simply that edited images exist. It’s that they become the standard against which many people begin evaluating themselves.
In my practice, I often hear patients say that something feels different, even when they struggle to explain exactly what has changed. Sometimes there is a clear physical reason. Pregnancy, significant weight loss, breast cancer treatment, hormonal changes and aging all influence how we experience our bodies.
Other times, the body has changed far less than the expectations being applied to it.
When the images we see every day become increasingly refined, it becomes easier to interpret normal features such as skin texture, asymmetry or the natural changes of aging as problems that need to be corrected. Not because those features are abnormal, butbecause our perception of what is typical has gradually shifted.
Why Context Matters
One of the responsibilities I have as a surgeon is helping patients separate external expectations from their own personal goals.
That doesn’t mean telling someone they should or shouldn’t pursue treatment. Every person's circumstances are different and every decision deserves to be made thoughtfully. My role is to help patients understand what is motivating their decision and whether it reflects their own priorities or a standard that has subtly changed around them.
These conversations are rarely about convincing someone to accept change or encouraging them to pursue it. More often, they are about helping someone understand why they feel the way they do.
When we recognize that our perception has been influenced by the images we consume, we are better equipped to make decisions that are informed rather than reactive.
A More Grounded Standard
One of the most encouraging trends I have noticed is that many women are becoming less interested in chasing perfection and more interested in feeling comfortable in their own bodies.
The conversations I have in consultation are increasingly centred on quality of life rather than appearance alone. Patients talk about wanting to move more comfortably, feel more like themselves after pregnancy or breast cancer treatment or simply spend less time thinking about a physical concern that has occupied their attention for years.
Those goals are deeply personal. They are also remarkably different from trying to resemble an edited image on a screen.
Technology will continue to evolve, and artificial intelligence will almost certainly become an even greater part of how images are created and shared. Rather than trying to avoid these technologies altogether, I believe the more important question is whether we understand how they influence our expectations.
Before deciding that something about your body needs to change, it’s worth asking what you are comparing it to.
Sometimes the greatest shift has not happened in the mirror.
It has happened in the standard.
References
Fardouly J, Vartanian LR. Social Media and Body Image Concerns: Current Research and Future Directions. Current Opinion in Psychology. 2023.
Zajonc RB. Attitudinal Effects of Mere Exposure. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. 1968.
MediaSmarts. Body Image and Digital Media. Canada's Centre for Digital Media Literacy. https://mediasmarts.ca
Canadian Paediatric Society. Digital Media: Promoting Healthy Screen Use in School-Aged Children and Adolescents.https://cps.ca
*******************
This article aims to inform and inspire and does not substitute professional medical advice. Always consult with a certified healthcare provider to understand what is best for your unique needs. AI tools were utilized to support research and drafting for this article, with all key ideas and final edits completed by the author.