Have you heard of zoom dysmorphia? Throughout the pandemic, many have spent hours a day on video calls. For many, this change has distorted their reflection, leading more people to think negatively about appearance, focus on perceived flaws, and seek cosmetic care. We talked with Arianne Shadi Kourosh, MD, MPH from Massachusetts General Hospital to learn how the medical community discovered Zoom dysmorphia and tips for video conferencing with wellness in mind.
"With the term Zoom dysmorphia, we hoped to spark a discourse in the medical community about a phenomenon that we were observing unique to the living conditions of the pandemic, which we were concerned may trigger or worsen body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) in our patients," said Arianne Shadi Kourosh, MD, MPH from Massachusetts General Hospital.
She added, "However, it is important to make the distinction between a term like Zoom dysmorphia that is useful for education and awareness—from the actual medical term such as BDD, which has its own criteria for diagnosis for which we would refer to a mental health professional."
Do you have any thoughts regarding the “Zoom boom” in aesthetics continuing as we emerge from pandemic restrictions?
It is difficult to predict the net effect of all the changes that will happen as society recovers and transitions to more in person life and work, as many of the factors that had a negative impact on appearance and well-being should hopefully improve. At the same time, the demand for videoconferencing will also decrease, and people may have less impact of front-facing cameras on perception of appearances and will be spending time with loved ones who can re-affirm self-perception in both physical and holistic aspects. Connecting with friends and family in person may provide a source of emotional support that reassures a person with respect to self-esteem and reminds them that they are valued as a person completely apart from their appearance.
Is there anything else you would like to share regarding Zoom dysmorphia or cosmetic dermatology?
This study highlights that videoconferencing presents a constant, distorted image of a person that can be unsettling, and the medical community is seeing an increase in cosmetic consultations for perceived imperfections as a result. We hope awareness of this phenomenon helps to avoid unnecessary procedures, especially if cosmetic concerns could be solved with simple changes such as a new webcam, better angles or a ring light, or more importantly, if the patient would be better served speaking to a mental health professional.
Tips for video conferencing with wellness in mind
- Assess your technology: Consider using an external, high-resolution camera for quality video and adding a ring light to control how you illuminate your face, which will also improve how you appear on camera.
- Adjust your camera: Try positioning the screen a further distance away from your face and keep the camera at eye level, which can help to minimize the distortion of the camera and improve appearance.
- Protect your mental health: Find opportunities to reduce the amount of time spent looking into a front-facing camera by turning off your video on calls when it is not required. It can also be helpful to limit social media engagement. Since photo editing is so pervasive on social media, it’s unhealthy to compare your own distorted images from front-facing cameras to edited and augmented photos posted online. It may also help to talk with a mental health professional, who can help a person take a healthier approach to their appearance and offer strategies for redirecting ones focus away from perceived physical flaws.
- See a board-certified dermatologist: If you’re concerned about your appearance, see a board-certified dermatologist, who can help identify whether a problem truly needs aesthetic intervention and if so, can recommend appropriate products or treatments to help you look and feel your best.
About the author
Arianne Shadi Kourosh, MD, MPH from Massachusetts General Hospital is a Director of Community Health, Founding Director, Pigmentary Disorder and Multiethnic Skin Clinic and a Assistant Professor, Harvard Medical School.
References
- Rice SM, Graber E, Kourosh AS. A pandemic of dysmorphia: “Zooming” into the perception of our appearance. Facial PlastSurg Aesthetic Med. 2020;22(6):401-402. doi:10.1089/fpsam.2020.0454
- Rice SM, Siegel JA, Libby T, Graber E, Kourosh AS. Zooming into cosmetic procedures during the COVID-19 pandemic: the provider’s perspective. Int J Women Dermatol. 2021;7(2):213-216. doi:10.1016/j.ijwd.2021.01.012