Nu.nl: Psychologists are concerned

On 16 February 2022, journalist Tijn Elferink published an interesting article on Nu.nl about the psychology behind cosmetic injectable treatments. Do the countless Zoom and Skype meetings – combined with the ever-present filters on social media images – play a role in the growing demand for injectables? Below, you’ll find a selection of quotes from Elferink’s article on Nu.nl.

Are psychologists concerned about cosmetic treatments?

The number of injectable treatments has been steadily rising for the past 20 years – from around 20,000 treatments annually back then to more than 600,000 in 2022. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the growth in Botox and filler treatments has become truly exponential. In many high streets, where a shop closes, it’s not unusual for a Botox clinic to open in its place.

So how do psychologists explain this surge? Journalist Tijn Elferink notes: “Psychologists have been concerned for some time about the webcam acting as a mirror.” Yet there is nuance. Behavioural psychologist Mattheis van Leeuwen explains in Nu.nl: “Research shows that people with depression sometimes feel less gloomy after frown lines are reduced.”

Growing dissatisfaction

Van Leeuwen, behavioural psychologist at Radboud University, adds: “In general, dissatisfaction has increased somewhat since the pandemic – and dissatisfaction with appearance is part of that.” People tend to be highly solution-oriented; when they feel unhappy about their appearance, they often turn to a trusted cosmetic clinic. Van Leeuwen continues: “Anyone using a filter is implicitly saying that reality isn’t good enough. People often receive more positive reactions to polished images, such as smoother skin. That’s where it becomes important to be cautious. Research shows that the reactions of others are the main reason why people decide to change their appearance.”

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Wanting to look like an Instagram photo

Cosmetic dermatologist Elian Brenninkmeijer, who runs her own clinics in Amsterdam and Naarden, explains in the article: “Because of social media, people can get the impression that others look better than they do. Sometimes patients even walk in with a picture of someone on Instagram and say: ‘This is what I want.’ That simply isn’t possible. You need to respect your own body and the natural ageing process.”

Both Brenninkmeijer and Van Leeuwen agree that it is positive that cosmetic treatments are no longer seen as taboo. Botox should be viewed as something that has now become perfectly normal.

Read the full article on Nu.nl: https://www.nu.nl/gezondheid/6184446/psychologen-maken-zich-zorgen-over-de-webcam-als-spiegel.html