Selfies increase the demand for plastic surgery

Facebook, Instagram and Twitter may all make us feel more connected to each other and be up to date on what is going on in real time. However,  there are more people who are choosing to improve their looks via surgery, thanks to selfies.

Dental hygienist Jennifer Reynolds, 34, who lives in New York opted for plastic surgery on her nose and now feels ready for prime time on social media, according to Reuters.

In a recent study conducted by the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, about 1 in every 3 doctors who participated in the survey confessed that they saw a growing number of clients who wanted changes done on their face and body due to social media. This eventually increased rhinoplasty procedures(sometimes called a nose job) by 10% between 2012 and 2013. More people are also considering an eyelid surgery to make them appear less sleepy or hair transplants.

Reynolds stated "I definitely feel more comfortable right now with my looks. If I need to take a selfie, without a doubt, I would have no problem."

Reynolds is one among the numerous people who are turning to plastic surgeons for improving their look for images. Specialized make-up artists are also being hired by many. Plastic surgeons these days are dealing with a number of people who want to go for rhinoplasty or nose job and eye-lid lifts just to enhance their image on social media.

Selfies, or self portraits, rose in popularity along with smartphones and social media sites such as Facebook, MySpace and Instagram as a mostly young adult crowd posted images of themselves. Now everyone from Hollywood stars to prime ministers takes selfies.

A poll by the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS) of 2,700 of its members showed that one in three had seen an increase in requests for procedures due to patients being more aware of their image in social media. They noted a 10 percent rise in rhinoplasty in 2013 over 2012, a 7 percent jump in hair transplants and 6 percent increase in eyelid surgery, according to Reuters.

"There has been a 25 percent increase over the past year and a half to two years. That is very significant," Dr. Sam Rizk, a plastic surgeon, said about his Manhattan practice.

"They come in with their iPhones and show me pictures," Rizk, 47, added. "Selfies are just getting to be so crazy.