The Influence of Social Media on Psychological Perception and Decision-Making Towards Rhinoplasty: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Social media has modernized beauty standards by promoting facial aesthetics, affecting the tendency towards cosmetic surgery, such as Rhinoplasty. In Saudi Arabia, the overuse of Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok has contributed to the exposure of appearance-based content and perceptions of nasal beauty. Purpose: This study aimed to determine the impact of social media on psychology, nasal beauty perceptions, body image dissatisfaction, and decision-making of Rhinoplasty in Saudi adults. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted through social media using a self-reported questionnaire. Through convenience sampling, 385 participants, including 70.3% women, aged between 20 and 30, were recruited. Demographics, frequencies of use of social media, exposure to cosmetic content and psychological perceptions were gathered. Statistical analysis was completed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and multiple regression modelling using SPSS version 25. Results: High levels of exposure to cosmetic content were reported. About 78.0% had seen before-and-after rhinoplasty images constantly, 77.2% felt that the cosmetic content influenced self-perception, and 78.5% were concerned about the nose’s appearance. About 60.9% of the participants often checked their noses in the mirrors, and 48.8% avoided social situations. Unrealistic expectations were familiar with 65.2% of the participants who believed that Rhinoplasty could even make the nose perfect. About 64.2% of the participants expected to look like the transformations they see online. Close relations were established between social media use and cosmetic exposure (r =.838, p < 0.01). The significant predictors of interest in Rhinoplasty were social media usage (ab = .493, p < 0.001) and unrealistic expectations (ab =.163, p = 0.003). Conclusion: Social media is a strong determinant of perceptions of beauty, a predictor of body dissatisfaction, and an indicator of interest in Rhinoplasty among Saudi young adults. This study suggested the importance of awareness of Rhinoplasty preoperatively.