Algorithmic Beauty: The New Beauty Standard.

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.