The Hong Kong Polytechnic University and Sichuan University conducted an interesting study.

The research found that among female selfie samples on Xiaohongshu, users from regions with lower per capita GDP tend to do more extensive photo editing.
Moreover, they are more inclined to emphasize baby-like features such as larger eyes, round faces, small mouths, and fairer skin.
In contrast, users from developed regions like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangdong, and Zhejiang show significantly less photo editing, with images closer to the original appearance.
The researchers believe that in environments with lower economic development and more intense resource competition, people are more likely to shape themselves into images with baby-like features, as these traits often make individuals appear more harmless, approachable, and easier to garner others’ goodwill and support.
In more economically developed regions, the ways to gain social recognition are more diverse, and reliance on appearance is relatively lower, so people tend to preserve natural and authentic images.