In the age of the COVID-19 pandemic, many people have had a lot to ponder over this past year – including what they look like on Zoom, Teams or other video-based systems. Maybe we’ve had a little too much time to think about our looks when cracking open the computer to get to work.
But when you look back at the little box with your image do you like what you see?
For some women, they don’t because they are getting what plastic surgeons are calling “Zoom face” in droves. Let’s find some little enhancements to boost our appearance, so we all show up more youthful and fresher on Zoom.
Nothing is wrong with wanting to show up looking your best self, especially when you have to look at your image multiple times a day online.
According to womenhealthmag.com, getting Zoom face is impacting one in 10 women who saw more flaws in their appearance while being on the video calls, and 62 percent of those already had non-surgical cosmetic treatments, or ‘tweakments,’ according to the website.
Dr Asher Siddiqi, medical aesthetic expert, noticed the phenomenon.
Before the pandemic though, people felt self-conscious, regardless. According to a 2016 survey conducted by video call network Highfive, 35 percent of workers said they felt less attractive on video calls than in person, while 59 percent said they feel more self-conscious in front of the lens than in real life.
“We can definitely see the increased demand for cosmetic procedures since the start of the pandemic,” explains Dr Lisa Creaven. “Whether it’s people seeking straighter teeth or a brighter smile, there’s been a real ‘zoom boom’ throughout dentistry.”
If women want to have surgery, so be it.
But how can people, especially women, be happier with their looks and downplay their flaws? Like for the women who might be suffering from just a low bout of confidence? Here are some tips below to have an even better body/face image. Especially for people who already feel “uneasy about their appearance, it’s a breeding ground for anxiety” according to womenhealthmag.com.
If there are three extra minutes you could spare in the day, visit the Project Body Love podcast – a 30-day course of evidence-based tools and techniques to reorient the way one feels about how they look.
Also, dwell on what you do correctly on and off the job and focus less on the outward appearance.
What’s also helpful? Looking at yourself in the mirror and describing what you simply see – in a non-critical way. For example: “I have two eyes,” “My eyes help me to see.”
Also, experts recommend viewing your thoughts as “clouds passing in the sky” where you notice them before letting them roll by, especially if you feel an anxious thought coming on. Acknowledge it and let it go.
Lastly, begin to start to appreciate your body and how it has helped you over the years. Before you start to talk negatively, think about the body parts that served you well and grow from there.