The Role Of The Internet In Spreading Health And Beauty Trends

The internet is having a huge influence on health and beauty brands.

13:39 24 October 2017

When a new product is released the first place people hear about it is online, whether it’s an unusual craze like charcoal toothpaste or sildenafil tablets for more serious medical problems. So, how exactly is the internet helping to spread health and beauty trends in a bigger way than ever before?  

 

Social Media Stars

 

Social media has exploded over the last few years. With its increasing popularity, a new type of celebrity has appeared. Social media stars and ‘Instagram models’ are hugely responsible for setting and spreading the latest beauty trends. Often, these stars are part of clever marketing and affiliate programs which are designed to sell various products to their huge audience. Western society has become very image conscious as a result of social media, as soon as people see the latest product being used by their idols, whether it’s make-up or skincare, they are desperate to try it. Although this is good news for beauty brands, it’s been widely debated whether the need to alter our appearance based on the celebrities we see is healthy. 

 

Conversations About Health 

 

Although social media and the internet receive a lot of negative press, there are lots of positives too. People have been opening up conversations about all sorts of health issues, from physical disabilities to mental health problems, through different body positivity hashtags and online communities. The freedom to talk without judgement has seen many people trying out different health trends to improve their wellbeing, including yoga, mindfulness and massage to name just a few. As these conversations are so public, people from around the world are finding answers to questions that they had never dared ask before. 

 

Global Trends

 

The internet and social media has made us all better connected. Thanks to the internet, it’s possible to send a message across the world and receive an instant reply. This also means that health and beauty crazes from around the world can quickly take off in other countries. Remember when everyone went mad for the traditional Chinese medicine ‘cupping’, after it was seen at the Rio Olympics? Or when you tried that new Korean skincare routine last month? Without the internet, it’s unlikely people would have ever stumbled upon these trends. It’s an exciting time for the health and beauty industry. Who knows what the next big thing will be?

 

YouTube Gurus 

 

In the past, if you didn’t know how to apply make-up you turned to magazines. These days, individuals are testing products and reviewing them online, or providing people with detailed guides to help them transform their look. This is one of the most interesting internet developments in the beauty world, as it has taken control away from the industry in terms of how products are received. Many big brands have been forced to collaborate with YouTubers in order to make sure their products stay relevant and reach big audiences.