The Unfortunate Rise Of Unrealistic Beauty Standards

Why Don’t I Look Like That?

Have you ever scrolled through Instagram, TikTok, or Pinterest and thought, Why don’t I look like that? You know, the flawless skin, perfect waist-to-hip ratio, toned abs, and ethereal glow that seems impossible to achieve? Yeah, me too. And the worst part? It’s not even real.

Social media has completely rewritten what we think is "normal" when it comes to beauty. What used to be the airbrushed magazine models of the early 2000s have now transformed into a never-ending, algorithm-fueled stream of impossible standards. And whether we like it or not, it’s messing with our heads.

Body Dysmorphia Existed Before, But Not Like This

Body image issues aren’t new. Back in the 2000s, body dysmorphia was already a thing—magazines were filled with size-zero celebrities, diet culture was everywhere, and paparazzi photos shamed women for gaining even a little weight. But back then, the damage was somewhat contained. You had to go out of your way to buy a magazine, watch TV, or see an ad. There were breaks from it. You could go outside and see real people—your classmates, your family, your friends—people who weren’t airbrushed to perfection.

Now? There are no breaks. Teenagers today have grown up with social media, and it's no longer something we just consume—it’s something we live inside. We don’t see real, unfiltered faces as often anymore because our world exists online. And when all we see are hyper-edited, perfectly posed, surgically enhanced bodies, we start to believe that’s what normal looks like.

It’s Not Just a "Girl Problem"

For years, body image issues have been framed as a "girls’ problem," but that’s far from the truth. Teenage boys are struggling with body dysmorphia too, but they don’t talk about it as much—mostly because they aren’t expected to.

Social media has created its own set of impossible beauty standards for men. The ideal male body has shifted from lean and athletic to something straight out of a Marvel movie—broad shoulders, shredded abs, a tiny waist, and muscle definition that’s nearly impossible to achieve naturally. Fitness influencers push "grindset" culture, promoting unattainable physiques without mentioning steroids or extreme dieting. And just like girls use filters to make their faces appear smoother or their waists look smaller, guys use editing tricks to make themselves look more muscular.

The problem? When you’re a teenage boy and you constantly see guys who look like Greek gods, you start to think that your natural body isn’t good enough. You start obsessing over muscle mass, body fat percentage, or height—things that aren’t even in your control. But no one talks about it because male body dysmorphia isn’t taken seriously.

The Beauty Standard is a Moving Target

The thing about beauty standards is that they never stay the same. In the ‘90s and early 2000s, being ultra-thin was the goal. Then came the era of the Kim Kardashian body, where curves became the trend. For men, the ideal used to be a lean Brad Pitt in Fight Club type of body, and now it's a Chris Hemsworth as Thor level of mass.

And if you think this is just a coincidence, it’s not. The beauty industry thrives on insecurity. Every few years, they shift the goalpost just enough to make sure you’re always chasing something new. Because when you feel like you’re not good enough, you’ll spend money trying to fix it.

The Filter Problem: It’s Not Even Real

Let’s talk about filters. The subtle ones that smooth out your skin, the intense ones that shrink your nose and enlarge your eyes, and the downright scary ones that completely morph your face. If you've ever used one and thought, Wait, I like this version of me more, congratulations, you’ve been conditioned.

The problem with filters is that they create an entirely different person—one that doesn’t exist. But after seeing yourself with "flawless" skin and "perfect" features, your real face starts looking… wrong. And this is where body dysmorphia sneaks in. You start picking apart tiny "flaws" that weren’t flaws before. Your nose looks too big. Your jawline isn't sharp enough. Your skin is too textured. None of this was a problem until you saw an altered version of yourself.

For guys, the issue is even more hidden. Filters are used to chisel jawlines, enhance muscles, and make skin look unnaturally smooth, but because they don’t have the same obvious beauty filters as women, people assume their photos are real. In reality? Most of the shredded gym guys you see online don’t actually look like that in normal lighting.

The Algorithm Loves Perfection

Social media algorithms are designed to push engagement. And what gets engagement? "Pretty" people. The more conventionally attractive someone is (or the more they fit into the current beauty trend), the more likely they are to go viral. This means that every time you open your app, you’re being flooded with a specific, curated type of beauty—one that only a tiny percentage of the population naturally has.

This creates a warped sense of reality. Suddenly, it feels like everyone looks like this. It feels like you’re the only one who doesn’t. But in real life? The vast majority of people do not look like social media’s "ideal." It’s just that the algorithm isn’t showing them to you.

So… What Can We Do About It?

You can’t just completely rid yourself social media overnight (trust me, it's more difficult than it would seem). But what you can do is take control of your feed and your mindset:

•  Unfollow accounts that make you feel bad about yourself. If seeing someone’s content makes you spiral into self-doubt, let them go.

• Follow people with real, unedited bodies. Normalize different body types in your feed.

• Remind yourself: Social media is a highlight reel. Even the most "natural" influencers still pick their best angles and best lighting.

• Limit your screen time. The less time you spend scrolling, the less exposure you have to unrealistic beauty standards.

• Talk about it. If you’re struggling, you’re not alone. More people are dealing with this than you think.

At the end of the day, the goal isn’t to "fix" yourself—it’s to fix the way you see yourself. Because trust me, you don’t need to change a thing. The problem isn’t you. It’s the system.