Research: Why half of Londoners hate how they look on video calls

A new study has found that the rise of the Zoom call has led to a national wave of self-consciousness about our looks, with almost half (49 percent) of Londoners saying they loathe seeing their own faces on video calls, reveals skincare brand MEDOVIE. Jumping into online face calls to match with the quickness of working from home during the pandemic has shaken people up a bit as they have never done something like this before unless they’ve face-timed one on one with a friend or family member, but with a whole call that includes multiple people, it can be pretty daunting. Some may alleviate their worries by using such products as a SAINT 21 Gold Microcurrent Facial Dual Mask as well as serums, eye masks, etc. so they can feel a little better about being on the screen, however, this doesn’t completely stop the worry of being on a face call.

In fact, so bad is the problem that a quarter (24 percent) of Brits from the nation’s capital admit to avoiding the ubiquitous Zoom call at all costs, believing they have a face for telephone but not for camera.

And of those who can’t avoid them, three quarters (74 percent) confess they can never concentrate on the topic in hand as they are too distracted by their own appearance. The top 10 biggest areas of concern were:

1. Spotty skin (21.4%)

2. Yellow teeth (21%)

3. Dark eyes / eye bags (16.7%)

4. Pale skin (16.7%)

5. Blotchy skin (16.2%)

6. Frizzy hair (15.7%)

7. Wrinkles (14.8%)

8. Big nose (14.3%)

9. Dodgy eyebrows (12.4%)

10. Having a skin flare-up, such as eczema and psoriasis (11%)

Nadav Shraibom, Scientific Founder at MEDOVIE said: “Our research clearly indicates that the upsurge in Zoom calls this year has made plenty of Brits feel self-conscious about their looks. In fact a quarter of us are trying to avoid Zoom calls at all costs for this very reason, worrying about how they look from the condition of their skin to their hair and teeth.

“A life on Zoom has meant that skincare has really taken the spotlight during 2020. In fact, we have seen a 50 percent increase in the number of people approaching us over the last few months for consultations about their skin concerns. Some people have decided to find ways to improve their insecurities by finding doctors that treat fine line and wrinkles with botox, for example. People have also been visiting hairdressers to get a fresh cut as well as nail salons.

“Through our innovative 3HX formula, we have managed to help people treat their skin concerns, externally and from within, and make long-lasting, effective change and help reduce the anguish that people have felt from seeing themselves on screen constantly.”