Cosmetic surgery before the social media era.

Of course, it was always there, and we all knew it existed. Back then, the most common procedures were rhinoplasty (nose jobs) and breast augmentations. However, people usually considered them after a certain age or for specific reasons. In our twenties, almost no one cared about "fixing" their face. In fact, we often saw our small imperfections as "nice flaws"—the unique traits that made us who we were.

​The Social Media Paradox.

Today, the paradox is that fillers, Botox, and plastic surgeries are becoming the norm for people in their early twenties. Recently, I found myself in an area where people focus heavily on a "healthy lifestyle," yet I was surprised to see so many young, fresh faces with lip fillers or breast implants. And don't even get me started on Botox. "Young, fresh, and round" faces—the "Instagram face"—are everywhere.

​The other day, while waiting for my laser hair removal session, I overheard a conversation outside. A young client was about to get her first Botox treatment. She sounded incredibly anxious, but the practitioner kept reassuring her: "Come on, everyone is doing it."

​It made me wonder: Is it really that common? The answer is yes. Even people I know started Botox the moment they hit 35. It feels like we’ve been handed another "headache," another standard we have to struggle to meet.

​Confidence vs. Overaction.

It is vital to feel confident in your own skin and happy with your body. I don't want to be judgmental—cosmetic procedures and surgeries can truly help someone achieve that confidence. But I truly believe we have reached a point of "overacting."

​What is the reason to want to change your face at twenty? It seems that deep down, it’s a sign of insecurity—a reflection of the filtered images we see every time we scroll up and down on our phones.