Myth-Busting in the World of Cosmetic Surgery on Social Media
The journey began with a familiar scene on TikTok: a captivating young woman, a contentious cosmetic procedure, and the unveiling of the results. This time, however, an additional figure intertwined himself into the narrative. As the girl's skin was delicately tightened at her temples by an invisible thread, Dr. Anthony Youn, the self-proclaimed 'holistic plastic surgeon,' interjected with his commentary. "I hope your doctor informed you that six months after your thread lift, you'll revert to your original state," he remarked nonchalantly.
Hailing from Troy, Michigan, Dr. Youn is one of many surgeons who have harnessed the unique potential of social media to bolster their professional reputations while educating the public. His efforts have culminated in a dedicated following of nearly 6 million, all eagerly consuming his procedural records, before-and-after reaction clips, and expert analyses of celebrity cosmetic endeavors. "Tony woke up and chose violence," reads a prominent comment attached to his 'expose' videos, while other users applaud the surgeon's candid expressions.
However, it's Dr. Youn's myth-busting "fact or cap" format, where he debunks the most outrageous beauty myths circulating on the Explore page and evaluates their credibility, that has garnered the most attention. Similarly, Dr. Jerry R. Chidester, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Draper, Utah, highlights the numerous misconceptions about common breast surgeries and non-surgical breast enhancement alternatives spreading on social media, prompting him to correct his 60,000 followers. From olive-oil massages for larger breasts to mysterious face-shaping devices, here are the myths top surgeons are debunking on social media.
Myth #1: Pinching Your Face Can Reshape It
Since the rise of TikTok, videos demonstrating quick non-surgical methods to alter your face have steadily gained popularity. While some methods, like gua sha, are more reliable (though Dr. Youn notes that any "face-sculpting technique is temporary and the lasting outcomes vary), there are many extreme alternatives—and devices—that claim rapid results.
The pseudo lip lift, which involves pulling your lip upwards and holding it for an extended period, is something Dr. Youn has addressed online multiple times. In his response, Dr. Youn clarifies that tugging at a body part has no influence on its shape—be it the lips, nose, or nipples.
"I aimed to entertain and inform in my videos," Dr. Youn elaborates. "The way people present their 'results' can make it seem as if some of these methods truly work, but any lasting effect can only be achieved through surgery or injectables. Believing that placing a clip on your nose will reshape it is one of the strangest myths I've encountered."
If you're earnest about altering any feature, you'd be better off reserving your time and money for a cosmetic procedure. Oh, and the same holds true for fat reduction massages.
Myth #2: Breast Milk Is a Skin-Care Miracle
Women applying breast milk to their faces became a sensation on TikTok, and Dr. Youn promptly responded to claims that breast milk can cure facial problems ranging from eczema to acne. While he acknowledges that breast milk is both anti-microbial and contains fats that can lead to a softer, more hydrated complexion, he doesn't suggest trying it at home.
"Breast-milk facials do exist as actual beauty treatments," he asserts, "and are mostly associated with acne due to their antibacterial properties, but using someone else's breast milk can bring about a multitude of other issues, including communicable diseases." For clear skin, opt for well-tested ingredients like vitamin C and retinol.
Myth #3: The Softness of Breast Implants Relies on the Implant
Unlike Dr. Youn, most of Dr. Chidester's inspiration for dispelling myths stems from 'pre-surgery' remarks from patients. A specialist in breast surgery, he has taken to TikTok to delve into nipple removal (the entire breast is lifted; there is no "cutting and pasting") and burst implants, and he frequently addresses the role scar tissue plays in breast softness. While many patients believe it's the success of the procedure or the implant itself that contributes to a more "natural" feel, in reality, Dr. Chidester explains, "Everyone's body responds differently." It makes no difference which type of implant you use, "thick scar formation implies it won't feel natural."
Furthermore, Dr. Chidester desires people to be aware that breast enhancement is sought for as many diverse reasons as there are shapes and sizes. "The majority of breast implants I perform are for women who have lost all their breast volume due to breastfeeding or significant weight loss," he states. "They aren't seeking to be 'fake' or have 'stripper breasts,' but they want to be proportionate and feel feminine once more."
Myth #4: Exercise and Olive Oil Can Lift or Enlarge Your Breasts
Dr. Youn has addressed several processes to adjust either the shape or position of the breasts without surgical interference—each more extreme than the previous.
"A key misunderstanding is that exercise can lift the breasts on the chest, but stronger muscles will not change your breast shape or size," he remarks, including workouts targeting the pectoral muscles. Sure, this might enhance your chest's appearance and your overall posture, but because breasts are composed of fibrous connective tissue, they cannot be firmed up or generally lifted through exercise.
There's also the talk of enlarging and enhancing your breasts with olive oil. While Dr. Youn concedes that there might be a hydration benefit from massaging your breasts with olive oil, because breast skin is thicker than that of the face, "the penetration of a topical product [leading] to any lasting change is much more challenging." In brief, olive oil can moisturize your breasts, but you're better leaving olive oil where it belongs: on your salad.
The Conclusion
There are numerous DIY beauty trends that Dr. Youn supports—chia seeds for weight loss are essential, he reveals, and using a home-made hair spray of rice and water can actually assist in growth. Primarily, though, Dr. Youn's objective is to eliminate misinformation surrounding plastic surgery as the nip-tuck culture becomes increasingly less stigmatized.
"Unfortunately, many young people think that plastic surgery is extremely easy and not a big deal, like getting a new haircut. I, along with other responsible plastic surgeons, share some of the risks and complications that can occur, in addition to some of the excellent outcomes that can result from plastic surgery."
"My aim is to educate the public on what plastic surgery truly is and the remarkable things it can do for people," says Dr. Chidester. "Young people are actually much more receptive to discussing it."
Primarily, says Dr. Youn, the goal of many surgeons using social media is to reveal the rapidly changing, often unrealistic self-presentation disseminated via social media as well as the efforts required to adhere to them. Whether based on fact or fiction, aspirational content sells—and sometimes it causes more harm than good.
"Although many social media influencers make it a point to flaunt their six-pack abs and expensive clothes and cars, I believe this is a false facade intended to glamorize the person to the extent that they become unrelatable," Dr. Youn says. "The beauty of social media is fabricated in many ways, and it's crucial that we, as cosmetic physicians, recognize that."
