The phrase “glow up” has taken social media by storm. For today’s tweens and teens, it’s not just about self-care or beauty—it’s about transforming your entire identity online. While this trend can encourage positive habits, it often creates unrealistic expectations and pressure that can harm mental health.
At Constantly Healthy Counseling & Coaching, we see firsthand how digital wellness intersects with beauty routines, identity, and self-worth. For many young people, their self-image is being shaped not only in the mirror but also through the lens of social media.
The Rise of Glow Up Culture
“Glow up” content on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube typically highlights:
- Beauty routines and skincare regimens
- Fitness and weight-loss journeys
- Fashion and aesthetic transformations
- “Before and after” posts that invite comparison
While some of these trends promote self-care, they often send a hidden message: you’re not enough as you are.
How Social Media Impacts Self-Image
For tweens and teens—whose identities are still forming—constant exposure to glow up culture can lead to:
- Comparison and Low Self-Esteem – Measuring themselves against edited, curated versions of others.
- Pressure to Perform – Believing they need to achieve a certain look or lifestyle to be accepted.
- Anxiety and Perfectionism – Feeling “behind” in their glow up journey.
- Digital Identity Confusion – Struggling to separate their online persona from their authentic self.
The result? A generation facing more body image issues and self-doubt than ever before.
Supporting Tweens & Teens in the Age of Digital Wellness
Parents and caregivers can play a powerful role in helping young people navigate glow up culture with resilience.
1. Start Conversations Early
Talk about the difference between online images and reality. Normalize conversations about filters, editing, and the pressure to compare.
2. Model Balanced Beauty Routines
Show that self-care isn’t about chasing perfection—it’s about honoring your body with rest, movement, and compassion.
3. Promote Digital Breaks
Encourage offline hobbies like art, sports, or time in nature to balance the pull of screens.
4. Validate Their Struggles
Don’t dismiss glow up pressure as “silly” or “just social media.” For tweens and teens, this feels very real. Validation builds trust.
5. Consider Counseling Support
If your child shows signs of anxiety, body image distress, or withdrawal, counseling can provide tools to strengthen their self-worth beyond likes and followers.
How We Help at Constantly Healthy
At Constantly Healthy Counseling & Coaching, we help families and teens navigate the intersection of digital wellness, self-image, and identity. Through trauma-informed, compassionate care, we equip young people to manage pressure, embrace authenticity, and feel confident in who they are becoming.
If you’re looking for Winter Park counseling, our team offers a safe and supportive space where tweens and teens can process their experiences with glow up culture, strengthen resilience, and reconnect with their inner confidence.
Final Thought
Glow up trends may come and go, but the impact on self-image can last a lifetime. By blending awareness, healthy boundaries, and supportive counseling, parents and teens can step away from harmful comparisons and lean into what truly makes them shine.
At Constantly Healthy, we remind our clients: your nervous system is your compass—and your glow comes from the inside out.