If you look older on Zoom, it could be because video calls can warp your self-image, according to a dermatologist (2024)

FAQs

Does Zoom make you look older? ›

If you think your reflection on Zoom is looking a little aged, some experts say it could be because the platform can warp your self-image, while other dermatologists say pandemic stress expedites aging in real life, too. "Some of this is due to perception, what I call 'Zoom face,'" Dr.

"Some of this is due to perception, what I call 'Zoom face,'" Dr. Rajani Katta, a dermatologist based in Texas, told CNN. "Between the harsh lighting, the strange angles, and just staring at your face for hours on end, it can alter your perception of your own appearance."

Looking at your face on Zoom is like looking in a funhouse mirror. Because we're staring into them head-on and at an unflatteringly close range, Kourosh explains, front-facing computer cameras flatten out our faces, making our noses appear larger and our eyes smaller.

Lines show up on movement. There are other ways Zoom is extra harsh, meaning what you see on screen may look worse than real life. In fact, Zoom can be a perfect storm for exaggerating imperfections.

Camera angle: This is the biggest mistake that most people make: A webcam on a desk is typically below your chin. With the camera at this level, your cheeks and neck below your chin appear disproportionately large, giving you a Richard Nixon-esque appearance.

It's a simple matter of perception. Like a picture, your face looks more wide and flat in a video. Some other factors come into play as well, such as lighting and angles.

Zoom filters apply various effects to the video feed from a user's webcam during a video call. These effects can include virtual hats and glasses, makeup, or changes to the color or lighting of the video. To use Zoom filters for face, users must install the Zoom app on their device and be connected to a video call.

If you use mmhmm with Zoom or Google Meet, you may notice that your image appears flipped. By default, many video conferencing tools flip your video feed horizontally to make it feel more like a regular mirror. This flipped image is then broadcast to your audience in the correct orientation.

How to look slim on Zoom? ›

Body Placement: Sit at a slight angle to the camera to look thinner on Zoom. Most people sit facing the camera directly…often leaning back slightly. This will make your face and body look wider and more square.

When there's not enough light, too much light or a light is pointed in the wrong direction, it can cause cameras to render a lower quality image. It's important to know how to set up and use proper lighting so you can put your best face forward, so to speak, in your Zoom calls. Camera, Lights, Action!

Keeping our eyes fixed on our own reflection can feel stress-relieving in this high-stimuli environment, says Tara Well, PhD, an associate professor of psychology at Barnard College of Columbia University who researches mirrors and reflections. “You look at yourself [and think] at least I know I'm there,” Well says.

Tiredness, anxiety, awkwardness and feeling disengaged are all commonplace in the virtual world. Here's what's going on: ‍We interpret the same behaviour in others more negatively. Sound delays (of even just 1.2 seconds) can make us subconsciously view the other person as less friendly or less focused.

If you use mmhmm with Zoom or Google Meet, you may notice that your image appears flipped. By default, many video conferencing tools flip your video feed horizontally to make it feel more like a regular mirror. This flipped image is then broadcast to your audience in the correct orientation.

There isn't an exact amount of blue light that is known to cause skin cell damage. However, research does show that being exposed to 12 hours a day of blue light is likely to accelerate aging, possibly even with skin cell damage. This could lead to wrinkles and skin blemishes earlier on in life.