{"id":131683,"date":"2025-11-13T20:07:14","date_gmt":"2025-11-13T20:07:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/131683\/"},"modified":"2025-11-13T20:07:14","modified_gmt":"2025-11-13T20:07:14","slug":"snapchat-dysmorphia-and-korean-glass-skin-gen-z-dermatologist-reveals-mental-health-crisis-behind-filtered-beauty-the-south-first","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/131683\/","title":{"rendered":"Snapchat dysmorphia and Korean glass skin: Gen Z dermatologist reveals mental health crisis behind filtered beauty – The South First"},"content":{"rendered":"

Dr Karishni Chittarvu, Dermatologist and General Secretary of RDA Telangana, offered a generational perspective on the psychological toll of constantly curated beauty standards. <\/p>\n

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Published Nov 13, 2025 | 10:22 AM \u268a Updated Nov 13, 2025 | 10:22 AM<\/p>\n


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Dr Karishni and Dr Avinash Praveen.<\/p>\n

Synopsis: A Gen Z dermatologist revealed the profound mental health impact of social media\u2019s \u201cflawless skin\u201d culture on her generation, introducing the term \u201cSnapchat dysmorphia\u201d to describe how young people are seeking cosmetic procedures to match their filtered online appearances.<\/p>\n

A Gen Z dermatologist revealed the profound mental health impact of social media\u2019s \u201cflawless skin\u201d culture on her generation, introducing the term \u201cSnapchat dysmorphia\u201d to describe how young people are seeking cosmetic procedures to match their filtered online appearances, whilst also highlighting an unexpected positive shift toward preventive skincare.<\/p>\n

At the second edition of South First\u2018s Dakshin Health Summit, during a panel discussion on \u2018Social Media and Skin & Hair Health\u2019 held at the Asian Institute of Gastroenterology (AIG), Gachibowli, on Sunday, 9 November, Dr Karishni Chittarvu, Dermatologist and General Secretary of RDA Telangana, Hyderabad, offered a generational perspective on the psychological toll of constantly curated beauty standards.<\/p>\n

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\nThe Gen Z reality
\n\"Dakshin<\/a><\/p>\n

Dakshin Health Summit 2025. (Supplied)<\/p>\n

Dr K Sai Sandeepthi, Dermatologist at Eudermiz Skin, Hair and Laser Clinic, Hyderabad, who moderated the discussion, framed the question: \u201cKarishni, since you\u2019re also part of Gen Z, I\u2019d love to hear your perspective. Social media often creates this illusion of perfect, filter-free, poreless skin \u2014 something that doesn\u2019t actually exist. How do you think this \u2018flawless skin\u2019 culture is affecting the self-image and mental health of Gen Z, who are growing up constantly comparing themselves to these filtered standards?\u201d<\/p>\n

Dr Karishni responded with candour about her generation\u2019s experience: \u201cYes, there\u2019s definitely a major mental-health impact caused by social media, especially among Gen Z. We are constantly maintaining an online presence \u2014 sometimes out of peer pressure \u2014 and, nowadays, even parents are creating social-media accounts for their newborns. That shows how deeply ingrained social media has become in our culture.\u201d<\/p>\n

She outlined how digital culture perpetuates impossible standards: \u201cBecause of this constant exposure, we develop unrealistic expectations about beauty \u2014 particularly the idea of flawless skin. Every few months, there\u2019s a new skincare trend like the \u2018Korean glass skin\u2019 inspired by K-dramas, and these fads fuel the pressure to look perfect.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cKorean glass skin\u201d captures another dimension of social media\u2019s influence on beauty standards. Popularised through K-dramas and Korean beauty influencers, the \u201cglass skin\u201d trend promotes an appearance of perfectly translucent, poreless, dewy skin \u2014 a look achievable primarily through professional lighting, makeup techniques, and digital filters, yet marketed as attainable through specific product routines.<\/p>\n

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\nUsing social media as a solution<\/p>\n

Rather than simply criticising the phenomenon, Dr Karishni proposed a constructive approach: \u201cBut as a Gen Z dermatologist, I\u2019ve realised that instead of simply criticising this trend, we can actually use social media as a tool to promote awareness. If qualified dermatologists like us put out evidence-based information, people do respond positively.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe audience on social media doesn\u2019t necessarily care who\u2019s speaking\u2014they want quick, engaging, and informative content. When they see credible professionals offering that, they appreciate it,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n

Dr Karishni cited research documenting the psychological harm: \u201cSeveral studies have shown a clear link between social-media use and increased anxiety, low self-esteem, and even body-dysmorphic symptoms among adolescents. There\u2019s even a term now \u2014 Snapchat dysmorphia \u2014 describing how people want to alter their appearance to match their filtered images.\u201d<\/p>\n

Snapchat dysmorphia, a disturbing evolution in body dysmorphic disorder. Unlike traditional cases where patients brought celebrity photos to cosmetic surgeons, Gen Z patients are increasingly requesting procedures to make them look like their own filtered selfies.<\/p>\n

The phenomenon highlights how digital manipulation tools \u2014 once understood as fantasy \u2014 have become internalised as achievable beauty standards, driving young people to seek surgical or cosmetic interventions to bridge the gap between their real faces and their filtered online personas.<\/p>\n

Despite documenting serious harms, Dr Karishni identified a silver lining: \u201cHowever, there\u2019s also a positive side. Social media has helped promote body positivity and a shift toward preventive skincare rather than quick fixes. Many young people today are more educated about sun protection, retinoids, and evidence-based routines. So while there are definitely negative mental-health effects, there\u2019s also an encouraging trend toward awareness and healthier skincare habits among Gen Z.\u201d<\/p>\n

(Edited by Muhammed Fazil.)<\/p>\n

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