An Instagram face is a social trend for women to adjust their features to conform to a single template, either by applying filters to their photographs on

social media Social media are interactive media technologies that facilitate the creation and sharing of information, ideas, interests, and other forms of expression through virtual communities and networks. While challenges to the definition of ''social medi ...

, or via

cosmetic surgery Plastic surgery is a surgical specialty involving the restoration, reconstruction or alteration of the human body. It can be divided into two main categories: reconstructive surgery and cosmetic surgery. Reconstructive surgery includes craniofa ...

. The template face is young, with flawless, unwrinkled skin and plump, high cheekbones. It has catlike (uplifted) eyes and long lashes; it has a small, symmetrical nose and lush lips. It has a blank expression. The face is unambiguously Caucasian, but of ambiguous ethnicity. The face is well-tanned, with South Asian brows and eye shape, African-American lips, Caucasian nose, and Native American/Middle Eastern cheeks.

History

Cosmetic surgery has long been used in an attempt to improve attractiveness. More recently, repeated use of

Botox Botulinum toxin, or botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT), is a neurotoxic protein produced by the bacterium ''Clostridium botulinum'' and related species. It prevents the release of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine from axon endings at the neurom ...

and

hyaluronic acid Hyaluronic acid (; abbreviated HA; conjugate base hyaluronate), also called hyaluronan, is an anionic, nonsulfated glycosaminoglycan distributed widely throughout connective, epithelial, and neural tissues. It is unique among glycosaminoglycans ...

fillers has replaced some surgeries since 2002. Magazines have edited photographs of celebrities to remove "flaws" for decades. In 2018, Americans underwent 7 million neurotoxin injections and 2.5 million filler injections and spent $16.5 billion on cosmetic surgery. 92% of the latter was performed on women. The Instagram face signalled a change from correcting flaws to seeking perfection. In 2015, the Kylie Jenner lip challenge produced bloodshot, bruised, and swollen lips among many people. The Instagram face is different because such efforts now have a single target. The trend began among "professionally beautiful" women but later spread across social media, especially on

Snapchat Snapchat is an American multimedia instant messaging app and service developed by Snap Inc., originally Snapchat Inc. One of the principal features of Snapchat is that pictures and messages are usually only available for a short time before the ...

and

Instagram Instagram is a photo and video sharing social networking service owned by American company Meta Platforms. The app allows users to upload media that can be edited with filters and organized by hashtags and geographical tagging. Posts can ...

Facetune Facetune is a photo editing application used to edit, enhance, and retouch photos on a user's iOS or Android device created by Lightricks. The app is often used for portrait and selfie editing. The app implements a number of beauty filters a ...

offers more specific editing features. The use of invasive cosmetics has become common among younger adults. Emblematic celebrities include

Kim Kardashian West Kimberly Noel Kardashian (formerly West; born October 21, 1980) is an American socialite, media personality, and businesswoman. She first gained media attention as a friend and stylist of Paris Hilton, but received wider notice after the sex ...

Bella Hadid Isabella Khairiah Hadid (born October 9, 1996) is an American model. In 2016, she was voted "Model of the Year" by industry professionals for Models.com. Over the span of four years, Hadid has made twenty-seven appearances on international '' ...

Emily Ratajkowski Emily O'Hara Ratajkowski (, ; born June 7, 1991) is an American model and actress. Born in London to American parents and raised in Encinitas, California, Ratajkowski began acting as a child before she gained a recurring role on the Nickelodeon ...

, and

Kendall Jenner Kendall Nicole Jenner (born November 3, 1995) is an American model, media personality, and socialite. She is a daughter of Kris Jenner and Caitlyn Jenner, and rose to fame in the reality television show ''Keeping Up with the Kardashians.'' Je ...

References

External links

* * * {{Cite news , title=The fight for “Instagram face” , language=en , work=MIT Technology Review , url=https://technologyreview.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=47c1a9cec9749a8f8cbc83e78&id=dd239d686d&e=6e7303fddd , access-date=2022-08-24 Instagram Human appearance Face

History

See also

References

External links