Archive · 16 Nov 2025
Online Dating Apps Influencing Women to Seek Cosmetic Surgery, Study Finds
Imagine you use an app to meet new friends, but it mostly shows pictures of people.
This study says that because these apps focus so much on how people look in photos, some women feel like they need to change their appearance to look better.
This might mean they think about or even get surgery to change their face or body.
It's like when people use filters to look different in photos, but this is about changing how they look for real.
The researchers found that women who use these picture-focused apps are more likely to want to have cosmetic procedures done.
They think it's because they want to make a good impression on the people they meet online.
So, these apps, like a digital photo album, can make some women feel more pressure to change how they look.
Women active on dating apps are significantly more likely to consider or undergo cosmetic surgery.
The appearance-focused nature of dating apps, with their emphasis on pictures and selfies, increases pressure to alter physical features.
This phenomenon is compared to other image-centric social media platforms like Instagram and Snapchat.
Motivations for seeking surgery include wanting to 'look better in selfies,' leading to procedures like anti-wrinkle injections and rhinoplasty.
Social anxiety stemming from posting selfies on online platforms also contributes to women choosing cosmetic procedures.
- Who
- Women who use dating apps
- What
- Are more likely to consider or undergo cosmetic surgery due to the appearance-focused nature of these platforms.
- When
- New research has found this trend.
- Where
- The study was conducted by the University of South Australia and published in the journal Computers in Human Behaviour.
- Why
- The visual and appearance-oriented elements of dating apps, similar to other social media, increase pressure to alter physical features to appear more appealing.
Focus on Appearance
Holistic Approach
Impact of Dating Apps on Appearance Decisions
Focus on Appearance
Dating apps, with their emphasis on photos and selfies, create pressure on women to alter their physical features, leading them to consider or undergo cosmetic surgery.
Holistic Approach
While dating apps may highlight appearance, the decision to undergo cosmetic procedures is influenced by various factors, and social media's impact is not solely negative, with some users making simpler appearance changes.
Motivation for Cosmetic Procedures
Focus on Appearance
The primary motivation for women seeking facial cosmetic surgery, such as anti-wrinkle injections and rhinoplasty, is to 'look better in selfies' due to the visual nature of online platforms.
Holistic Approach
Users on online dating platforms are generally motivated to make an impression to appear more appealing to potential partners, suggesting a broader desire for attractiveness beyond just selfie appearance.
- Research Institution
- University of South Australia
- Journal
- Computers in Human Behaviour
- Key Finding
- Women active on dating apps are more likely to consider or undergo cosmetic surgery.
- Contributing Factors
- Appearance-oriented nature of apps, focus on selfies, social anxiety from posting pictures.
- Examples of Procedures
- Anti-wrinkle injections, rhinoplasty, liposuction, derma fillers.