Experts: Selfie Obsessed Millennials Increasingly Opt for Plastic Surgery

Based on reporting by Meg Baker for CBS New York.

Posting selfies on social networking sites documents what we do — but is it also a barometer of who we are? From popularity to net worth, some say the self-portraits of the millennial generation say it all.

"It's kind of just become like our own brand. We take pictures of what we wear, where we eat, what we do, when we do it," Sabina Vanegas said.

Selfies make keeping up with the Joneses a whole lot easier — or harder, depending on who you ask.

"I think it does put a lot more pressure because there's a bunch of photos being taken of you. You just have to look good all the time," Melissa Jimenez said.

The pressure runs so deep for some that plastic surgeons say selfies are boosting their business.

"I see a lot more people coming to my office, and the answer to the question, 'What bothers you, and why did you decide to come and see me?' — surprising enough is, 'I saw a selfie of myself and I hated it, I have to fix it,'" said Dr. Nicholas Nikolov, a plastic surgeon.

Nikolov was consulting with 23-year-old model Candice Wurster, who he said hated the shadows under her eyes in her selfies.

Some chalk it up to the feeling of instant celebrity that comes with every photo posted online for all to see.

"The personal celebrity is definitely a relevant thing that's happening. When someone likes your photo and someone shares or comments, it's definitely a boost to you," said Kasey Bryant.

Psychologist Sandy Hotchkiss said the boost has too many young people getting addicted to selfies.

"Our values lean toward the shallow end of the value pool, where things like physical beauty and material success are more important than things like compassion, courage, and kindness," she said.

Experts said you can strike a balance by also learning to put stock in things that go beyond the superficial — and noted that selfie-obsessed celebrities like Kim Kardashian are also perpetuating the phenomenon.

Source: CBS New York