Does taking selfies lead to increased desire to undergo cosmetic surgery

India is the country with the highest number of selfie-related deaths. However, little is known whether this selfie craze contributes toward the behavioral changes and desire to undergo cosmetic procedures & surgery.

To analyse how taking, altering and posting selfies on social media, affects individuals' self-esteem, confidence, body image perception and mood in the Indian population. And to see whether the practice of taking selfies leads to the promotion of self-image dysmorphia and an increased desire to undergo cosmetic surgical procedures.

A total of 300 participants from four Indian cities (75 each from Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Mumbai) were included in the study. The study experimentally tested whether taking and posting selfie, with and without photograph retouching, elicits changes in mood, body image, and desire to undergo cosmetic surgery among young men and women.

A significant increase in the level of social anxiety (P < .004), feeling of decrease in confidence (P < .002), feeling of decrease in physical attractiveness (P < .001) and the desire to undergo cosmetic surgery (P < .001) was noted in the experimental group. Also, all the findings were higher in women compared with men.

This first of its kind experimental study in the Indian population highlights the deleterious effects of uploading selfies on human mankind and well-being. The prevalent obsessively looks-oriented culture is engulfing our youth's innocence and warrants immediate attention. Few steps taken in the right direction and at the right time can save us from the disastrous effects of this selfie craze in future.