Scrolling through social media, it's hard not to notice the abundance of "perfect" images that flood our feeds. Flawless skin, impossibly thin waists, plump lips, and toned bodies—images that make it seem like everyone has achieved a beauty standard that feels increasingly unattainable. But behind many of these photos lies a truth that’s far less glamorous: the heavy use of editing apps and filters.
From smoothing out skin and shrinking waists to completely altering facial features, photo-editing apps have given people the power to transform how they appear in seconds. While it might seem like a bit of harmless fun, the widespread use of photo editing has a more sinister effect on our collective self-esteem and perception of beauty.
The Problem with ‘Perfection’: Unrealistic Standards Everywhere
Take a look at the images above. In each case, photo-editing has drastically altered the original, highlighting thinner bodies, smoother skin, and enhanced features. It’s not hard to imagine how this impacts those who consume such content daily. These edited images create an unrealistic standard of beauty—one that most people, even the ones in the original photos, can’t attain in real life.
Apps like Facetune, Photoshop, and Snapseed allow people to tweak everything from their waistline to the shape of their nose with just a few taps. It’s no longer just models in glossy magazines being retouched—anyone with a smartphone can now present themselves as an enhanced, filtered version of reality. And this is where the danger lies.
When we constantly see edited versions of people, it skews our perception of what’s normal. We start believing that we should always look "perfect"—perfect skin, perfect body, perfect hair. When we don't meet these unrealistic standards, it can deeply affect our self-esteem, leading to feelings of inadequacy, anxiety, and even depression.
The Effects on Mental Health: Chasing an Unattainable Ideal
Edited images don’t just distort our view of others—they make us question our own self-worth. People, particularly young women and teenagers, are constantly bombarded with images of airbrushed, altered versions of beauty that don't reflect reality. The pressure to look like these edited images can lead to a range of mental health issues, from body dysmorphia to eating disorders.
In fact, studies have shown that social media use, especially when involving appearance-focused content, can contribute to increased feelings of body dissatisfaction. This dissatisfaction can escalate into unhealthy behaviours as people attempt to alter their real-life appearance to match the digital versions they see online.
The pervasive use of photo-editing apps has created a culture of comparison where people constantly feel like they’re falling short of what they “should” look like. It reinforces the belief that we need to look a certain way to be accepted, liked, or even loved. This becomes even more toxic when we start to believe that our natural, unedited selves aren’t good enough.
The ‘Before and After’ Trap: What Happens When Everyone Looks the Same
Another troubling trend with photo-editing is the “before and after” comparison that subtly reinforces the idea that the ‘before’ image—how someone actually looks—is undesirable. In the images above, you can see that the edited versions not only alter weight but also skin tone, body shape, and even face structure.
But there’s another issue here: the more people edit their photos to fit this cookie-cutter standard of beauty, the more everyone begins to look the same. The individuality and uniqueness of real bodies, faces, and features are erased in favour of the same exaggerated features: plump lips, big eyes, small waists, and hourglass figures. This not only promotes harmful ideals but also diminishes the beauty of diversity.
When everyone starts chasing the same "perfect" look, it becomes even more difficult to embrace our differences. We lose sight of the fact that beauty is subjective, diverse, and natural. Instead, we become trapped in a cycle of trying to look like a photoshopped version of reality—one that even the person in the edited photo doesn’t look like.
What Can We Do About It? Embracing Authenticity
The most powerful antidote to the effects of heavily edited photos is embracing and celebrating authenticity. Here’s how we can start:
Curate Your Social Media Feed: Unfollow accounts that promote unrealistic beauty standards or make you feel inadequate. Instead, follow accounts that show real, diverse, unfiltered images and promote body positivity and self-acceptance.
Be Critical of What You See: Remember that most of the images you see online have been edited. It’s not real life—it’s a filtered, carefully curated version of reality. Don’t compare your unfiltered self to someone else’s edited image.
Engage with Positive Communities: Join or follow communities that promote healthy body image, diversity, and authenticity. The more we engage with content that shows real bodies, the more we can start to dismantle the harmful ideals that edited photos reinforce.
Be Kind to Yourself: If you find yourself comparing your appearance to others, take a moment to remind yourself that you are more than how you look. Your worth isn’t defined by your appearance, and certainly not by how closely you resemble a photoshopped image on social media.
Call It Out: If you see influencers or brands heavily editing their photos, don’t be afraid to challenge it. More and more people are starting to speak up against the editing culture and encouraging transparency in online spaces.
Conclusion: Let’s Redefine Beauty Together
It’s time to push back against the unrealistic beauty standards that photo editing apps have created. We’re constantly surrounded by altered images that tell us our natural bodies aren’t good enough—but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Every body is unique and beautiful, and it’s our differences that make us interesting, not how closely we match some fabricated standard.
We have the power to change the narrative by embracing authenticity, lifting up diverse body types, and being mindful of how social media influences our perception of beauty. So, the next time you’re tempted to filter or edit a photo to fit in, remember that the real you is already enough. Let’s celebrate our natural, unedited selves—and show the world that real beauty doesn’t need a filter.
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