Algorithmic Beauty: The New Beauty Standard

Background: Algorithms on various social media platforms feed users what it considers "beautiful': impacting the aesthetic desires of patients as well as beauty ideals. Objective: To discuss how algorithms on social media platforms personalize feeds and influence a patient's preference for procedures. Methods: YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok's websites were searched for how their algorithms function. A narrative review of the literature pertaining to social media and cosmetic procedures was also conducted using PubMed. Results/Discussion: Social media platforms personalize feeds for their users. Identifying exactly what a patient is exposed to on social media and how that influences their preference for cosmetic procedures presents a challenge at various levels. Social media usage appears to at least influence cosmetic procedure consideration. The desired appearance may be impacted by location, repeated exposure, and familiarity. Conclusion: While impossible to predict the next beauty trend, it is important to understand how algorithms and artificial intelligence may play an increasing role in a patient's visual diet and how their aesthetic goals are thereby affected. Using social media platforms and understanding market trends can guide dermatologists to provide evidence -based education, dispel misinformation, and anchor patients in reality while understanding the cosmetic procedures that patients seek.