Social media influencers are individuals who have gained a sense of credibility, expertise, and a significant following on social media platforms like Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and others. They typically create content around specific niches such as fashion, beauty, fitness, travel, or lifestyle, and they often collaborate with brands to promote products or services to their audience BUT are influencers actually causing issues when it comes to dangerous beauty and Aesthetic trends and do they understand their responsibilities when it comes to endorsing dangerous trends in aesthetics?
In terms of their impact on popular and dangerous trends in aesthetics, social media influencers can have a significant influence due to their large and engaged followings. They can often have the power to set trends by showcasing certain styles, products, or lifestyles to their followers. This can include fashion trends, beauty techniques, or even body image ideals but more worrying is their impact when it comes to normalising certain trends by consistently featuring them in their content. This can include extreme diets, cosmetic procedures, or unrealistic beauty standards, which may not always be safe or healthy. While some of these products may be safe and effective, others may be potentially harmful or promote unrealistic expectations which can have a detrimental impact on the influence, so the question needs to be asked: Should there be restrictions on what influencers can endorse?
Lets face it, social media is powerful and we all know individuals- not just influencers often portray idealised versions of themselves, which can contribute to feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem among their followers- particularly younger audiences. This can often lead to a desire to conform to certain aesthetic trends, even if it means resorting to extreme measures in an effort to meet this standard.. even though this may often be just an idealised bench mark and not attainable. In some cases, influencers may promote or engage in dangerous practices in pursuit of aesthetic goals, such as having unregulated or extreme cosmetic procedures. At times who this procedure is also with is also an area of concern with many dangerous injectors out there conducting treatments which are well outside their competence.
In my opinion these influences can lead followers to emulate these behaviors without fully understanding the risks involved.
While we should have the freedom to share, and one can argue it is the nature of the beast, is this an argument that should be brushed off so casually? Social media influencers have the potential to perpetuate harmful trends and standards in aesthetics and although it is unfair to judge every influencer the same it is important to understand the responsibility influencers have to set a higher standard to what they will endorse to safeguard their viewers. It's important for followers to critically evaluate the content they consume and consider the potential consequences of trying to emulate the lifestyles and appearances of influencers. Additionally, influencers themselves should be mindful of the messages they're sending and the impact they have on their audience as we are now facing an epidemic of surgical deaths and complications and non surgical complications are on the rise.. it has to stop...
What are your thoughts on the topic? Is it the responsibility of the influencer or is it just about educating the audience to be more aware when it comes to what they are being fed?
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