Reasons Why the Filter Generation Fears Neck Wrinkles: Is Your Neck Really “Aging”? Things to Consider Before Opting for Neck Surgery

"The Neck Ages More Than the Face"—A New Anxiety Spreading Among the Youth

"I don't notice it in the mirror, but my neck looks saggy on the front camera."
Such murmurs are flooding X (formerly Twitter) and TikTok.

The French publication Libération highlighted the plight of young people feeling pressured by their "neck skin." Neck wrinkles and sagging were once considered concerns for those in their 40s and 50s. However, now people in their 20s and 30s are seeking neck liposuction and neck lifts at cosmetic surgery clinics.ladepeche.fr

Behind this trend is the "new mirror" created by smartphones and social media. We now check almost every moment of our daily lives through the lens of selfies, stories, and video conferences. What appears is not our real selves but a "neck distorted by a wide-angle lens" and "others altered by filters."

"Neck Dysmorphia" Born from Zoom and TikTok

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the term "Zoom dysmorphia" has been used among dermatologists.
It is noted that constantly seeing one's face during online meetings and video callsemphasizes perceived flaws more than reality, increasing the desire for cosmetic surgery.The Dermatology Digest

The posture of looking down at a laptop from above emphasizes neck wrinkles and double chins, creating the worst angle. Add to this,

• filters that sharpen the jawline

• advertisement videos from cosmetic surgery clinics showcasing "before/after"

• TikTok challenges like "Jawline check" and "double chin check"

have combined to rapidly spread the image of the neck area as a "part that reveals age and sloppiness." Articles exploring the relationship between social media and cosmetic medicine also analyze that filter culture significantly boosts the desire for cosmetic surgery among younger generations.turquiesante.com

The "Chin Lipo" Boom and the Sense of "Light" Surgery

In recent years, chin liposuction, known as "chin lipo," has gained popularity in Western countries, Turkey, and South Korea.
Originally intended to improve double chins, there is now a surge in demand from people in their 20s who "don't have much fat but want a sportier, more defined jawline."ladepeche.fr

The surgery itself takes about an hour, with downtime ranging from a few days to one or two weeks, often promoted as something manageable without long vacations or as an overseas operation tour akin to a trip. Some young people opt for a "full course" combining neck lifts and facelifts.Docteur DJIAN

In the United States, there is a reported increase in women undergoing major facelifts and eyelid surgeries before turning 30. Many of them say they were influenced bythe "anti-aging confessions" of influencers and famous athletes, while doctors warn that "performing major surgeries at a young age makes the subsequent aging process unpredictable."New York Post

For the younger generation, cosmetic surgery is no longer about "dramatic before and after" but rather an extension of **"light maintenance."**

Social Media Reactions: "Do We Have to Self-Produce Even Our Necks?"

When the Libération article spread on social media, many French-speaking users voiced their opinions (summarized here as typical reactions):

• "Surgery on the neck in your 20s? How far do you want to extend youth?"

• "It feels exhausting that everything, from the face to the body to the neck, has become a target for 'self-production.'"

• "If there's medical technology, why not use it? If it gets rid of complexes, it's okay to treat the neck too."

• "The problem isn't individuals; it's the social media algorithms that only show edited images."

On X, memes joking about post-surgery bandaged appearances as "mummy-like" circulated, while posts expressing discomfort with the sentiment "it's only funny because it's not happening to you" were also prominent.

On TikTok, "post-op dance" videos featuring users dancing with bandages under their chins went viral, mixing cold views of "surgery as content" with support for "finding relief in humor." Cosmetic surgery has becomenot only about individual bodies but also part of relationships with followers and self-branding.

The Reality Behind "Shopping-Like Surgery"

However, there are episodes that pour cold water on the atmosphere of "light cosmetic surgery."
A British man who wanted a face like an Instagram filter underwent repeated surgeries on his face, jaw, and body since 2019, spending over $46,000. He was later diagnosed with **body dysmorphic disorder** and reflected, "I'm satisfied with some parts, but once the switch is on, the desire to 'change more' doesn't stop."New York Post

In France, cases of people traveling to Turkey or Eastern Europe on low-cost tours to undergo multiple procedures at once have become a topic of discussion. Even including airfare and hotel costs, it is often cheaper than domestic options, but

• lack of counseling

• absence of post-operative follow-up

• gap between expectations and reality

are pointed out as issues. Behind the sharp necklines that look good in photos, there arelong-term numbness, sensory dullness, and hypertrophic scars, realities that are less likely to be shared on social media.

The Boom of "Non-Surgical Neck Care" and Its Limitations

Meanwhile, "non-surgical neck care" such asfacial yoga, tongue exercises, and lymphatic massagesis also trending on TikTok, capturing those who are "afraid of surgery but concerned about their necks."

One influencer, claiming that the cause of a double chin was swelling rather than fat, showcased changes after weeks of exercise, garnering millions of views.The Sun

Additionally, "ear seeding," where small beads are placed on ear acupoints, became a topic for its claimed effectiveness in reducing facial swelling and tightening the jawline, but experts warn that **"there is little scientific evidence" and "overreliance is dangerous."**The Guardian

Furthermore, excessive care like #morningshed, which involves layering face tape, chin bands, and masks before bed,
"can lead to skin irritation and decreased sleep quality," dermatologists criticize.The Guardian

In other words,whether you undergo surgery or not, as long as you continue to pursue the "perfect neck," it's hard to escape the pressure—a dilemma that exists.

Is It Really the "Neck" You Want to Change, or "Others' Gaze"?

How to evaluate the neck-related cosmetic surgery boom varies from person to person.

• "If I'm going to feel down about myself through the camera every day, I'd rather have surgery and feel better."

• "Everyone gets neck wrinkles as they age. Pushing young people to the brink is going too far."

Both emotions have a certain rationality.
What's important is the careful process of articulating, "Why do I want to change my neck?"

1. Is the concernsomething that bothers you even when you look in the mirror, or is it
   just exaggerated by wide-angle cameras and filters?

2. If you feel "people will laugh at me / it will be a disadvantage in romance or work,"
   who created that image? Advertisements? Influencers? Family or partners?

3. Even if you decide to undergo surgery,are you prepared for a future that might not end with just one procedure, and the
   costs, complications, and potential for additional surgeries?

While you can rejuvenate the skin on your neck,you can't change others' gazes or social media algorithms through surgery. How to reconcile this is a major challenge for the post-social media generation.

Reconciling with Yourself, Hanging by a "Thread of Neck Skin"

In French, there's an expression "être sauvé(e) par la peau du cou" (saved by the skin of one's neck).
Libération likely depicted young people literally trying to "save themselves" by lifting the skin on their necks.

However, the salvation we truly seek might beto love the version of ourselves captured by others' cameras.
Accepting neck wrinkles or a slightly rounded chin as life experiences or expressions of richness is also sufficiently "beautiful."

Of course, if a complex is so distressing that it affects daily life, consulting a trusted specialist or counselor is an option. At that time, it's crucial to have access torealistic information, including risks, not just memes or before-and-after images on social media.

As young people are being cornered by "neck skin," we are being asked not only "how much to change the body" but also "how much of our lives to hand over to others' gazes."
**"