The relationship between Instagram and cosmetic enhancement is intricate, multi-layered, and often misunderstood. For many people, Instagram serves as a platform to share their personal lives with others, including images that may showcase their physical appearance. Cosmetic enhancements can be used to modify one's appearance and create an image that is more attractive or appealing to viewers.
The normalization of cosmetic enhancements through exposure on Instagram has become a hotly debated issue, particularly concerning relational self-esteem. This essay will examine how this phenomenon affects relational self-esteem by looking at the ways in which it perpetuates unrealistic beauty standards, promotes the objectification of women and men, and contributes to anxiety and insecurity among users.
Normalizing Cosmetic Enhancement Through Exposure on Instagram
One major effect of Instagram on relational self-esteem is its normalization of cosmetic enhancement. The platform provides users with an opportunity to present themselves as they wish and showcases a wide range of physical attributes. While some users post images that highlight their natural beauty, others take advantage of the platform's editing tools to alter their appearance, creating a false sense of perfection. This can lead to a distorted view of reality, where users begin to believe that everyone looks like the edited versions they see online. In turn, this can damage relational self-esteem because individuals who do not look like these edited photos may feel less confident about themselves compared to those who do.
Studies have shown that people who compare their bodies to those presented on social media platforms like Instagram tend to have lower levels of body satisfaction. These comparisons are especially harmful for young people, who may be exposed to unattainable ideals at a formative age and struggle to develop healthy self-image.
Research indicates that constant exposure to these types of images can contribute to eating disorders, body dysmorphia, and other mental health issues.
Objectifying Women and Men
Another way that Instagram erotic exposure affects relational self-esteem is through its objectification of women and men. For many years, society has perpetuated the idea that women must be thin, toned, and conventionally attractive to be desirable, while men must be muscular and wealthy.
These expectations are often unrealistic and unhealthy, leading to body image concerns, anxiety, and depression among both genders. Unfortunately, Instagram only exacerbates these issues by promoting a narrow definition of beauty that celebrates physical attributes over personality or character. As a result, users may feel pressured to conform to these standards or risk being viewed as undesirable or unattractive.
Creating Anxiety and Insecurity
Instagram's normalization of cosmetic enhancement can also lead to anxiety and insecurity among users. The platform encourages competition and comparison between individuals, creating an environment where everyone feels pressure to look perfect all the time. This can create feelings of inadequacy and low self-worth, particularly if someone compares themselves to edited photos or highly curated feeds.
It can lead to increased spending on cosmetic procedures and products, which can become expensive and addictive for some people.
The relationship between Instagram and cosmetic enhancement is complex and nuanced, but it does have profound effects on relational self-esteem. By presenting an idealized version of reality, Instagram can create unrealistic expectations that damage relationships with others and oneself. It is crucial for users to be aware of this phenomenon and take steps to mitigate its impact on their lives, such as limiting social media use, practicing mindfulness, and seeking support from trusted friends and professionals.
To what extent does Instagram erotic exposure normalize cosmetic enhancement as a prerequisite for desirability, and how does this affect relational self-esteem?
Instagram is known to heavily promote photoshopped images of people with flawless skin and bodies that are often unattainable in real life. This can create a sense of pressure on users to conform to these standards, leading them to believe that they need to undergo plastic surgery or other forms of cosmetic enhancements to be considered attractive. Studies have shown that this can lead to negative effects on self-esteem and body image, particularly among young women.