Dr. Radmila Lukian Featured on CNN
In an era shaped by social media, young people are growing up under the influence of filters that reshape faces with a single swipe. These digital effects contour, lift, brighten, and smooth features instantly, promoting an image of perfection that does not exist in real life. With millions of altered photos and videos uploaded daily, the standards of beauty seen online have become increasingly unrealistic, leaving a measurable emotional and psychological impact on users.
For many, this pressure has fueled a surge in interest in cosmetic procedures. Treatments like filler, Botox, baby face lifts, cat-eye lifts, contouring, and facial “look-maxing” are more widely discussed and pursued than ever before. And among all demographics, Gen Z has emerged as the fastest-growing consumer of aesthetic treatments, driven by the desire to achieve the filtered appearance they see online.
No one understands this shift better than Dr. Radmila Lukian, celebrity dermatologist and founder of Lucia Clinic Dubai, who recently shared her insights during a feature on CNN.
The Filter Effect: How Social Media Shapes New Beauty Ideals
Dr. Lukian notes that Gen Z is the first generation raised entirely in a digital environment, and their perception of beauty has been heavily influenced by social media filters and AI-enhanced imagery.
“One of the negative impacts I’m seeing in my office every day is consumption of filters. They look for perfection in the nature. We don’t have this kind of perfection beauty.”
Filters—often used without a second thought—begin to condition users to believe that their edited faces represent what they should look like in real life. Features become unnaturally sculpted, skin unrealistically smooth, and proportions digitally stretched. Many young patients bring these filtered images to aesthetic practitioners, asking for the impossible.
Dr. Lukian describes this trend as generating an “avatar look”—a face that no longer resembles a human being.
“Sometimes I’m seeing patients that look like avatars. They don’t look like themselves, like human beings. This is something we have to correct.”
Why Gen Z Is Turning to Aesthetic Treatments
Gen Z’s interest in cosmetic enhancements stems from several overlapping pressures:
- Constant exposure to filtered imagery
- Celebrity transformations
- Social comparison
- Early adoption of beauty trends
- Desire for “preventative” aging procedures
Unlike previous generations that often sought treatments later in life, today’s young adults start early, aiming to “perfect” their features long before natural aging begins.
Dr. Lukian at Lucia Clinic observes that this pursuit is not only about beauty, but also about identity and acceptance within digital spaces that reward flawless appearance.
The Shift Away From Overdone Filler and the Rise of More Permanent Treatments
While filler and Botox once dominated the aesthetic world, trends are shifting. Publications describe a movement known as “the great dissolving,” where patients opt to remove excessive filler and return to a more natural look.
Yet paradoxically, the pursuit of the filtered aesthetic has also pushed some toward more invasive, long-lasting procedures. According to recent reports, facial plastic surgeons have seen a 60 percent increase in full and partial facelifts since 2017, with younger patients—aged 33 to 55—making up a growing portion of those seeking surgical enhancement.
This shows that while overfilled faces are losing appeal, the desire for structural changes remains strong.
Dr. Lukian’s Philosophy: Prevention, Lifestyle, and Authentic Beauty
Dr. Lukian is internationally known for pioneering non-aggressive, non-surgical aesthetic treatments, including the non-surgical facelift technique widely recognized across the Middle East and beyond. Her philosophy centers on enhancing a patient’s natural features—not erasing or replacing them.
“It’s not about only aesthetic procedures. Everything today in aesthetic and preventative medicine contributes.”
She emphasizes a holistic approach, where factors like:
- lifestyle
- stress levels
- nutrition
- exercise
- sleep
- social environment
collectively shape how we age and how our facial features evolve over time.
Rather than chasing after flawless perfection, Dr. Lukian encourages long-term, dermatologist-led protocols that preserve authenticity while supporting healthy, gradual aging.
The Importance of Saying No: Protecting Patients’ Well-Being
As the demand for Instagram-inspired looks increases, Dr. Lukian believes that practitioners must take responsibility for protecting patients from unrealistic expectations.
“It is very important borderline as a doctor—you should say no.”
When a patient brings a filtered image and requests to look exactly like it, the doctor’s role shifts toward education, boundary-setting, and sometimes refusal. The psychological impact of comparison to these artificial standards can be profound, contributing to anxiety, insecurity, and distorted self-image.
By saying no, practitioners help safeguard both the patient’s appearance and their mental health.
A New Future for Beauty Standards
As trends in aesthetic medicine continue to evolve, Dr. Lukian is confident that education and authenticity will lead the industry forward.
She envisions a future where:
- natural beauty is valued over digital perfection
- treatments enhance rather than erase individuality
- preventative dermatology becomes standard practice
- long-term strategies replace quick fixes
- patients understand the difference between filters and reality
Her message is clear: the most beautiful faces are the ones that embrace their uniqueness.
Shaping a Healthier Future for Aesthetics
Filters may continue to shape beauty trends, but the role of modern aesthetic medicine is to ground those trends in reality. Dr. Radmila Lukian’s work—and her voice in global conversations—brings awareness to the importance of authenticity, psychological well-being, and responsible aesthetic practice. At Lucia Clinic, this philosophy guides every treatment. Beauty should support confidence, longevity, and individuality—not conformity to digitally altered standards.