Cosmetic surgeons say they are flooded with requests from people who want their face,eyes or eyebrows ‘fixed’ for the all-important video meetings in the times of covid-19
K is a successful entrepreneur with her own start-up.
When the pandemic struck and her whole business went online, K went through stressful changes.
Her Polycystic Ovarian Disease (PCOD) symptoms flared up and issues such as hair growth and acne on the face increased.
She tried to avoid virtual meetings and tried to keep them curtailed to calls, but at the end of the day realised that there was no escaping the video team meetings.
She had to take her issues to a cosmetic surgeon.
As the whole world stayed at home and held meetings on video conferencing platforms, it seemed like everybody’s eyes were fixated on the small box on one side of the screen — their own image.
Cosmetic surgeons in the city suddenly became a busy lot with more people approaching them to fix the dent on their nose or the shape of their jaw line in ways that their on-screen appearance is more to their liking.
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Unlike the still and filtered selfies of social media, video conferencing platforms such as Zoom show people’s unedited versions of themselves in motion, a self-depiction very few are used to seeing on a daily basis, which has led to body dissatisfaction, Dr Gunasekar Vuppalapati, Consultant Aesthetic and Reconstructive Plastic Surgeon of GVG Invivo hospital told Bangalore Mirror.
“The reasons behind this critical self-image is that during real-life conversations, people do not see their faces and display emotions, and do not compare their faces side-by-side to others like they do on video calls.
In addition, cameras can distort the image and create an inaccurate representation of true appearance.
One study found that a portrait taken from 12 inches away increases perceived nose size by 30 per cent when compared with that taken at 5 feet away.
Webcams, inevitably recording at shorter focal lengths, tend to produce an overall more rounded face, wider set eyes, and broader nose,” he said.
Unlike picture sharing websites, where the selfies can be software corrected before being shared, but in video conferences, the webcams used show the face live without any software autoedits of light, shadows and correction of blemishes on the face.
However, the camera is much too close to the subject’s face in both these cases, which can cause optical distortion.
However, people who are aware of this optical distortion, would not be affected by this.
We have been doing an objective aesthetic assessment by anthropometric measurements and filter those who have real problems from those who have perceived problems from this dysmorphia— Dr Gunasekar Vuppalapati, Consultant Aesthetic and Reconstructive Plastic Surgeon of GVG Invivo Hospital
Dr Vuppalapati said, “When the appearance is distorted in this manner especially with HD/4K cameras, it is quite natural that even those who don’t have any real or major problem are concerned.
But those who do really have a problem with respect to the Aesthetic proportions of the facial features, find it even more difficult as it will become more obvious and highlighted which does affect one’s body image, self confidence and productivity.
This has resulted in an increasing number of enquiries to us.
So, we have been doing an objective aesthetic assessment by anthropometric measurements and filter those who have real problems from those who have perceived problems from this Zoom dysmorphia.
While we do aesthetic corrections or enhancement where it is possible and needful but for those patients who presented with a perceived problem but in reality have normal and aesthetic proportions in the face are only counselled.” He explained that the parts of the face in the midline and projecting forward such as nose, lips, forehead that are closer to the camera on the laptop or mobile appears better bigger and wider compared to the parts away from midline or side of the face such as ears.
K too sought Dr Vuppalapati’s help.
“Our endocrinologist and gynaecologist did medical management.
We also did laser ablation of acne and acne scars and within three weeks, she could see a lot of improvement to the extent that she was once more able do do video conferencing to organise her business meetings,” he said.
A friendly tip
Keep the camera further away to reduce or eliminate the camera perceived distortion rather than worry about how you appear on the screen.
Advice for those who really have real appearance issues, choose qualified plastic surgeons who have many years of experience and are equipped with right technology skill as any mark left on the face can be permanent and picked up by the HD/4K cameras.
Beware of cheap surgeries from quacks or unqualified surgeons and always look for their credentials such as MCh/DNB in Plastic Surgery and if they have spent at least four-five years of further training in Aesthetic Plastic Surgery in a reputed institution.
The eyes have it
Aesthetic surgeons said that long hours in front of computers/gadgets in addition to the stress have also impacted the way our eyes look.
They have been getting close to ten requests every week for undergoing surgery or a non-surgical correction.Dr Vuppalapati says, “If a person has not been sleeping for 2-3 days, the eyes look tired.
This affects the communication as people’s attention gets focused on the look of the eyes..
Sometimes some people close their eyes shut tight to be able to sleep.
This creates immense pressure on the eyelids and muscles around the eyes.
It is even worse for people with fragile skin.
These people tend to develop dark circles when they rub their eyes due to dry eyes or stay sleepless during the night.”He also said that for people whose job involves interpersonal communication such as people who are into sales, the aesthetics of the eyes matters a lot.
“Strained eyes look shabbier affecting the person we are talking to.
Tidy eyes send pleasant vibes between the people involved in communication,” he added.Another plastic surgeon from Electronics city, Dr Kiran Petkar said, these days people are getting aware of their appearance after attending webinars, seminars and online workshops and presentations.
“I am getting over 5-6 calls every month these days and some people are scared to come to the hospital so they seek advice.
They are worried about the creases around their eyes, entire face and how their nose looks.
I have mostly dealt with dark circle issues these days because of sleepless nights and long hours of work,” he said.Correction of eyebrowsDr Vuppalapati says, in video conferences, you can hide how your body looks, but you cannot hide your eyes and eyebrows.
“Many men and women are unsatisfied with how their eyebrows look and they need a corrective treatment.
We have also had cases of blepharoplasty — Plastic surgery done to correct or reconstruct the eyelid to restore its normalcy or enhance it,” he said.
