What happens when social media influencers get free makeovers? Something that would be hard to imagine earlier is becoming a reality. The cosmetic surgery business is tapping into an extremely young customer base via social media influencers.
The equation between young social media influencers and their online popularity is catalyzed by free or discounted cosmetic procedures. Trend-setters become willing guinea pigs to advertise cosmetic treatments such as Botox and fillers, and their audience becomes the victim of these procedures. Unusually early exposure to image makeovers is making youngsters decide on cosmetic surgeries. According to several sources, some of the least invasive cosmetic surgeries in the United States have gone up to 200 percent since 2000. Cosmetic procedures such as cheeks and lips filling have gained popularity amongst teenagers.
Though the Board of Plastic Surgeons claims to adhere to a code of ethics in advertising, it doesn’t seem to stop the makeover marketers from targeting the young. Social media platforms allow influencers to exhibit their free or cheaply obtained cosmetic procedures and, with their no-holds premise, have become the preferred marketing method for these makeovers.
What happens when the procedure goes wrong? What seems like a harmless filler can lead to expensive cosmetic surgery. Realizing this ugly truth has led some of the TikTok influencers to caution their audience. The young influencers earning through their online presence are realizing the ongoing pressure on teenagers to live up to certain beauty standards. Despite the health glitches, influencers prefer to experiment with themselves for bucks and popularity on the virtual platforms.