Editor’s note: The following is a guest post from our marketing and communications intern, Marcela Quintanilla-Dieck, MS. Marcela recently graduated from Boston University with a Master of Science in Public Relations.
As I was getting ready to start my typical day with back-to-back Zoom meetings, I looked at my reflection in my computer and thought, “Am I seeing myself too much?”
Marcela Quintanilla-Dieck, MS
Before the pandemic started, I saw myself two, maybe three, times a day. The morning routine, the night routine and perhaps an occasional look in the mirror.
However, using Zoom on a regular basis has made me realize I am not used to this amount of self-interaction.
In the beginning it seemed harmless, but as the pandemic continues, I can’t help but realize how Zoom calls could be triggering new insecurities. Have we always looked this way? Are we using filters to enhance our appearance?
Massachusetts General Hospital dermatologist Shadi Kourosh, MD, MPH, graduate student Shauna M. Rice, and Emmy M. Graber, MD, MBA, founder and president of the Dermatology Institute of Boston, recently authored a viewpoint in Facial Plastic Surgery and Aesthetic Medicine titled “A Pandemic of Dysmorphia: “Zooming” into the Perception of Our Appearance.”
In the article, the authors explain they have seen surge in patients citing their appearance on Zoom and other remote meeting platforms as the reason for seeking care—with a particular concern for acne and wrinkles.
The researchers suggest this surge may be due to the fact that many people are seeing their faces more regularly while on video calls, perhaps making them hyper aware of their imperfections.
“Unlike the still and filtered selfies of social media, Zoom displays an unedited version of oneself in motion, a self-depiction very few people are used to seeing on a daily basis,” the authors write. “This may have drastic effects on body dissatisfaction and desire to seek cosmetic procedures.”
What Is Zoom Dysmorphia?
Zoom dysmorphia refers to the perceived appearance of several flaws after looking at our image for a certain amount of time. Throughout the pandemic, users have been looking for more solutions to enhance their appearance while being on Zoom.
Improvements can range from a simple facial bought at Target to considering plastic surgery. Is this phenomenon strictly a product of the pandemic, or is it here to stay?
Dr. Rice and Dr. Kourosh turned to the facial feedback hypothesis—a theory that states that our facial expressions can affect our emotions and behavior—to further explore the phenomenon of Zoom dysmorphia.
In their review, the researchers state that, according to the facial feedback hypothesis, “Treatment of sad-appearing wrinkles may reduce depression by making the patient appear less sad to others, which, in turn, makes them feel better about themselves.”
They go on to explain that in the case of Zoom experiences that the patient is the viewer as well. “They may perceive themselves as sad because of the wrinkles they see, which further negatively affects their emotions, leading to a dangerous cycle of self-deprecation,” researchers write.
[perfectpullquote align=”full” bordertop=”false” cite=”” link=”” color=”#00a9ce” class=”” size=””] “A life disproportionately spent on Zoom may trigger a self-critical comparative response that leads people to rush to their physicians for treatments they may not have considered before months confronting a video screen, a new phenomenon of ‘Zoom Dysmorphia.'” [/perfectpullquote]
The Role That Zoom Dysmorphia Can Play in Our Daily Lives
I wanted to learn more about others’ Zoom experiences, so I reached out to a few friends for their opinions. To my surprise, they all seemed to show signs of Zoom dysmorphia.
One of my friends started the conversation by talking about her new gadget, a ring light—a circular light that produces soft and direct light to reduce shadows and improve appearance.
For her, using a ring light was not only about getting the best lighting, but also about getting the best angle.
Another friend mentioned that he stacks books beneath his computer in order to ensure that the viewer has an eye-level angle of him to avoid a double chin or unflattering point of view.
A ring light
He also mentioned that he bought new comfortable looking clothes that would flatter his appearance.
“My new camera makes the picture look better and more professional,” said another friend. His intention behind buying the camera was purely to enhance the quality of the image he had during meetings.
Another said that he turns off his camera during Zoom sessions. He believes that not seeing himself allows him to be more confident while speaking and interacting virtually. “I don’t feel comfortable seeing my face all the time, it makes me self-conscious.”
All my friends had different opinions on their appearances during Zoom sessions, but I was surprised to learn they all either found a way to enhance their physical features or avoided looking at themselves altogether.
My Zoom Routine
I set myself a goal to record everything I did for a Zoom session and wrote it down. Sometimes we do things automatically, so I wanted to document all these little tweaks I made before every Zoom session. I did this on a Tuesday, which is a day I know I have more than one Zoom call.
8:00 am
The alarm sounded. I got up and prepared myself some breakfast while still wearing PJs.
8:15 am
I showered, brushed my teeth, and changed to “appropriate clothing.” *I realized I took an unusually long time choosing the clothes I would be wearing.
8:40 am
I stacked some books beneath my laptop to create a better angle.
9:00 am
I had my first Zoom meeting, and I could not help but look at my picture and realize how wrong the angle was. The books were placed in a very wrong position. I also realized the sweater I was wearing made my arms look twice their size.
10:00 am
I took off my sweater and changed into a blouse. I opened my blinds and hoped the lighting would help. I added a little bit of lipstick.
12:00 pm
My second meeting of the day came, and although the viewing angle and lighting was okay, my hair seemed unorganized. I could see how little hairs were pointing out of my ponytail, and the more I saw my picture, the more this became apparent.
12:30 pm
I had lunch far away from the computer!
3:00 pm
My third meeting of the day. In this meeting, I realized my eyes were looking tired. I could see the shade beneath my eyes a bit darker. Lighting was not on my side anymore.
After my 3:00 pm meeting ended, I was done with virtual interaction (thankfully!). I documented all the small tweaks I made to make myself look better, but I realized how doing this made me feel worse about my appearance.
Did the people in my Zoom sessions notice the things I noticed (my big arms, the hair, puffy eyes)? Probably not. After all, we are usually our own worst enemies.
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