The Zoom videoconferencing application.
-
Wilson Ring
One year after the entry into force of the confinement, decreed on March 17 to fight against the Covid-19 epidemic,
20 Minutes
returns to the generalized use of videoconferencing, which has become essential to continue to communicate.
Seeing yourself interacting with your colleagues on a daily basis made people aware of the image they conveyed to others, further highlighting their physical flaws.
Since the first confinement, "there has been a real boom in acts of cosmetic surgery and medicine, and it continues today," explains Tracy Cohen Sayag, general manager of the Champs-Élysées clinic.
A work meeting, an aperitif with friends, or college lessons ... Millions of French people have now been using video conferencing for a year, via applications such as Zoom, Teams or Google Meets, in order to be able to continue interacting with other.
A means of communication hitherto marginal but which, since the start of the Covid-19 epidemic, has become essential.
With the generalization of teleworking, the French now spend long hours on these videoconferencing tools, and the way they look at themselves has changed.
Seeing ourselves interacting with our colleagues on a daily basis shed more light on our physical flaws.
American researchers speak of “Zoom Dysmorphia” or “Zoom Face Envy” to describe this complex which arises in users who are not satisfied with the physical image that they send back to the screen.
"I have the impression of having taken ten years"
Seeing yourself on a screen every day is not easy for everyone.
“I've been subject to videoconferencing at least once a week for a year.
I no longer show myself, I say that the camera is not recognized by the video software ”, explains a reader of
20 Minutes
.
The same goes for Dimitri and Amandine, who also refuse to see themselves on the screen: “99% of the time, the webcam is off”, “we deactivate the camera and all is well”.
Others have found little tips to better support themselves on the screen.
“Me, I put myself against the light,” says Janeta.
Flo prefers, “to put her screen very small, and I support myself better”.
Many therefore find it difficult to accept the image they convey.
“I feel like I took ten years.
When I can, I cut the image leaving just a photo, ”explains Marie, another
20 Minutes
reader
.
“For my part, it's an ordeal, I asked to return to the site,” says Feladan.
For teleworkers, the screen would thus have become a new mirror, not very flattering.
“Teleworking, and the use of videoconferencing tools, has forced people to face their image on a daily basis - in close-up - and to become aware of their imperfections, as in a distorting mirror.
We have in our imagination this perfect image which is out of step with our image of reality, ”
Claire Dahan, psychologist and professional coach
, explains to
20 Minutes
.
Thanks to the "Zoom effect", a 30% increase in aesthetic medicine acts
The use of videoconferencing therefore had a somewhat unexpected effect.
Since the deconfinement, plastic surgery practices and clinics are always full.
The Champs-Elysées clinic, one of the largest in Europe, has thus posted growth of around 30% compared to the same period last year.
“There has been a real boom in acts of cosmetic surgery and medicine since the end of the first confinement, and it continues today.
All the specialists in Europe and in the world have made the same observation.
The almost daily use of video sent back an image to people who were not used to looking at each other for hours in front of a screen ”, explains to
20 Minutes
Tracy Cohen Sayag, general manager of the Champs-Elysées clinic .
Growth in activity at the Champs-Elysées Clinic.
- Champs-Elysées clinic
“After spending two months exclusively in video, whether on a professional or personal level [video aperitif…], some began to notice a tired look, receding hair, more visible wrinkles, dull skin… Overall a tired look.
These people then wanted to resort to aesthetic medicine, and took the leap, ”says Tracy Cohen Sayag.
Peels, injections or even radiofrequency (technology based on the diffusion of electromagnetic fields) are thus among the most practiced acts.
A finding that can be found in most cosmetic surgery clinics in the country.
“It mainly concerns everything around the gaze.
It is today the most important part of the face, the one that everyone sees, even with the mask on.
These are the bags under the eyes, dark circles, crow's feet [small wrinkles at the corner of the eye], the wrinkled forehead, the tail of the eyebrow to rise, the quality of the skin ... And for men too , small hair loss on the front and baldness.
Things to which we weren't too careful before, ”explains the general manager of the Champs-Elysées clinic, who specifies that this concerns both women and men.
"I gave an injection of hyaluronic acid to fade my dark circles"
Isabelle, an event manager, is one of those people who took the plunge.
At 44, she decided a few weeks ago to have hyaluronic acid injected to fade her dark circles.
“I couldn't stand seeing myself every day with this tired look, to be confronted with this everyday mirror.
When we do video, it's terrible to see our faces lined up like that next to each other.
It gave me complexes compared to my colleagues, ”she says.
“I was thinking about it a bit before, but with confinement, and then teleworking, I took the leap.
And then I also wanted to take care of myself, and make myself happy, ”adds Isabelle, aware that the image that is conveyed is also a vector of professional success.
Like her, many quads have been seduced in recent months by surgery or aesthetic medicine.
“They constitute the bulk of our new patients, ie 80% of the new clientele that we have been welcoming over the past year.
Unlike the younger generations - very comfortable with their image - those over 35-40 take fewer
selfies
,
stories
, or FaceTime.
They were therefore less aware of the image they could convey, and today face a problem of self-acceptance, ”explains Tracy Cohen Sayag.
"There is a gap between the generations, also notes the psychologist Claire Dahan.
It is not easy to look at yourself, especially for people who are not used to playing with their image.
Young people have made a habit of improving their appearance with filters on social networks.
They are comfortable with the idea that they may appear "better than they actually are" and that is okay with them.
This is not the case with older generations.
The mirror effect has destabilized them.
"
Our Containment file, one year later
According to professionals in the sector, other factors linked to the coronavirus crisis are also at the origin of the increase in acts of surgery and aesthetic medicine in France.
With teleworking, another brake has been lifted, that of convalescence.
No need to take time off, and to inform those around you or colleagues.
With in addition the wearing of the mask, everything is done today in the greatest discretion.
And with the restrictive measures - the impossibility of going to restaurants, movies, the theater or in the evening - people today hardly have any “leisure” expenses.
"So they have a budget that they never would have had before to improve their appearance," says Tracy Cohen Sayag.
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Covid 19
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