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Anyone who’s no stranger to the picture-perfect world of Instagram knows that you have to take everything you see on there with a pinch of salt. Or rather a whole bag of it.

It only takes a glance at the heavily airbrushed photos and virtually unrecognizable selfies to see how saturated with editing and filters Instagram has become. This corner of Reddit known as the Instagram Reality subreddit has long been busting all the fakery online by sharing some of the biggest examples of faux pas found on social media.

Below we wrapped up a new batch of surreal pics from the same subreddit that show people’s obsession with looking perfect on the screen at whatever cost.

Also make sure to check out our previous article with more Instagram vs Reality pics.

Instagram is notorious for the use of photo editing filters and lenses and it’s no secret that many influencers use them. There are many other apps and plugins that enhance a person’s appearance in the photographs uploaded there.

But there is a dark side of it that not many people who use these tools to achieve that picture-perfect ideal and seek unattainable beauty standards are willing to speak about. In 2019, a report showed that nearly half of Instagram influencers who were surveyed said their job as an influencer impacted their mental health, and 32% said it negatively impacted body image.

#3

Found This On A Japanese Musician's Page. I Don't Even Know What's Going On - Is The Red Haired Dude Ok?

Found This On A Japanese Musician's Page. I Don't Even Know What's Going On - Is The Red Haired Dude Ok?

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#4

Let Me Just Tuck My Hair Behind My Eyelash Real Quick

Let Me Just Tuck My Hair Behind My Eyelash Real Quick

Tunelesshalo Report

Another study from 2017 ranked Instagram as the most dangerous social media platform in regards to young people’s mental health because along with other photo and video-based apps like Snapchat and TikTok, it offers filters and lenses that dramatically change the way someone looks.

The psychologists who research the influence of social media on mental health argue that many people feel upset that their real appearance doesn’t match with how they look online. This is extremely dangerous and can potentially cause body dysmorphia, a mental disorder in which someone fixates on and obsesses over one or more of their perceived physical flaws or defects, according to the Mayo Clinic.

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#5

Damn, We Got Some Fine Elbows Up In Here

Damn, We Got Some Fine Elbows Up In Here

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Mihai Mara
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ah, so you have a mini black hole in your pocket! That sure does explain the deformation of time and space.

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#6

Her vs. His Insta Post

Her vs. His Insta Post

Matis5 Report

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Sonja
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The thing is, he probably thinks she's the prettiest gal on earth and posted the unedited pic to show this to the world

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#7

I’ve Never Seen A More Accurate Description

I’ve Never Seen A More Accurate Description

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But this is far from the only threat lurking in the social media apps. Another danger is a threat to our privacy and security, something that many apps are extremely vulnerable in. So to find out about that side of the coin, Bored Panda spoke with a cybersecurity expert at NordVPN named Daniel Markuson.

Markuson unexplained that “photo editing apps usually demand various permissions for a person's camera, photo library, location, microphone, and much more. Nobody would want any of this information to be accessed by a malicious third party, not to mention that some of those apps can even use a person's camera without their consent.”

#8

How Delusional Are You From 1 To This Person?

How Delusional Are You From 1 To This Person?

mmajamm Report

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#9

Imagine Looking Like #2 And Still Feeling The Need To Filter Yourself Into Oblivion

Imagine Looking Like #2 And Still Feeling The Need To Filter Yourself Into Oblivion

Utdredangel Report

#10

Your Sleep Paralysis Demon Stood At The Edge Of Your Bed

Your Sleep Paralysis Demon Stood At The Edge Of Your Bed

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In order to make sure that their privacy will not be compromised while editing their photos, Markuson argues, “users should pay attention to the legitimacy of the apps they choose to download from the app store.”

Markuson also listed some of the things that they should consider before downloading an app: “Photo editing apps are non-essential. The fewer apps a person has, the less data they collect and store.” Markuson’s advice is as follows: “if you can edit your photos on social media apps, like Instagram - do so.”

#11

This ‘Influencer’ Claims She Only Uses Filters To Adjust The Colours. Instagram On Left, Reality On Right

This ‘Influencer’ Claims She Only Uses Filters To Adjust The Colours. Instagram On Left, Reality On Right

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#13

This One Made Me Laugh!

This One Made Me Laugh!

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Moreover, Markuson reminds everyone that some of the top-ranked apps collect their users' data and later use it for marketing or malicious purposes. “Read the Terms of Service before using the app,” he suggested.

Another important thing is to pay attention to permission demanded by the app. “Your photo editing app doesn't need to know where you are when you edit your photos, or who is on your contact list.”

Markuson concluded that “the safe choice would be to use apps created by trustworthy, well-known companies, which are known to be more responsible with their users' data.”

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#15

Youtuber Who Always Looks Different In Each Of Her Pictures

Youtuber Who Always Looks Different In Each Of Her Pictures

MedSkewlgate Report

#16

Asian Photoshopping

Asian Photoshopping

ParchedCoverage Report

#17

Saw This Guy On Tinder. Looks Like He Photoshopped Someone Else's Head On His Body

Saw This Guy On Tinder. Looks Like He Photoshopped Someone Else's Head On His Body

Kitkatkatty Report

#18

What She Look Like vs. Instagram

What She Look Like vs. Instagram

Constant_Audience842 Report

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heidi hunt
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Jenny from the block is aging like all of us and she is beautiful in both pics

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#19

Same Person, Right?

Same Person, Right?

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#20

Difference From A Live Performance And A Video

Difference From A Live Performance And A Video

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#23

Some Editing May Have Taken Place

Some Editing May Have Taken Place

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Kat O.
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

At this point this is just pathetic. She looks absolutely ridiculous.

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#24

Small Face, Weird Big Fingers Wtf !

Small Face, Weird Big Fingers Wtf !

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#25

Something About Her Head Just Seems Off

Something About Her Head Just Seems Off

theresazuluonmystoep Report

#29

Before And "After". Based Off An "8 Week Study", Yet Has 3 Pimples In The Exact Same Spot With No Change In Size Or Color. I Really Hate Misleading Ads

Before And "After". Based Off An "8 Week Study", Yet Has 3 Pimples In The Exact Same Spot With No Change In Size Or Color. I Really Hate Misleading Ads

Believemeimlyingxx Report

#30

Do The Wavy Leg!!

Do The Wavy Leg!!

lxwmsfw Report

#31

Popular Tiktoker Claims She Uses No Filters

Popular Tiktoker Claims She Uses No Filters

Utdredangel Report

#32

Why Do They Think We Don’t Know What They Look Like…

Why Do They Think We Don’t Know What They Look Like…

happilykoala Report

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#37

Just A Tad Bit Heavy On The Hips, Just A Tad Bit

Just A Tad Bit Heavy On The Hips, Just A Tad Bit

shantiteuta Report

#38

It's Like Her Hair Is Afraid To Touch Her Butt

It's Like Her Hair Is Afraid To Touch Her Butt

Brewmeiser Report

#39

Look Guys My Waist Is The Same Size As My Arms!

Look Guys My Waist Is The Same Size As My Arms!

ofeybuns Report

#41

I - Um-

I - Um-

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Zedrapazia
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Who is this and how old are they? This is simultaneously the oldest teenager and youngest grandpa I've ever seen in my life. And probably more plastic than your everyday Ken doll

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#42

The Entire Profile Is Like This. Are Normally Shaped Heads Out Of Fashion?

The Entire Profile Is Like This. Are Normally Shaped Heads Out Of Fashion?

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#43

Probably One Of The Worst I’ve Ever Seen. And All Of Her Photos Look Like This And No One Calls Her Out For It

Probably One Of The Worst I’ve Ever Seen. And All Of Her Photos Look Like This And No One Calls Her Out For It

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Kat O.
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They probably do call her out but she might be deleting the comments.

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#44

Her Waist Is Smaller Than Her Head

Her Waist Is Smaller Than Her Head

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#46

Pic vs. Video, Both Posted By Her. She's Already So Skinny To Begin With /:

Pic vs. Video, Both Posted By Her. She's Already So Skinny To Begin With /:

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Lesbian Sloth
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

But she's already so pretty :( why do we force people to think they always need to be better?

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#47

I Can’t Believe She Posted This…

I Can’t Believe She Posted This…

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#48

Actually Found One In The Wild. While Scrolling Pinterest. Look At Her Waist!

Actually Found One In The Wild. While Scrolling Pinterest. Look At Her Waist!

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#49

When You Mutilate Your Crotch For The Sake Of A Thigh Gap. (Also, Everything Else)

When You Mutilate Your Crotch For The Sake Of A Thigh Gap. (Also, Everything Else)

poncey- Report

#50

We’ve All Seen Face Smoothing, But The Clone Stamp Arm Gone Wrong??

We’ve All Seen Face Smoothing, But The Clone Stamp Arm Gone Wrong??

raybancoolness Report

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Bored_NorWeirdian
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Madonna use photoshop in all her pictures to look younger. Girl you had your 20 years of fame and beauty. It’s time to show how you look now and not some photoshop sh!t. Normalise that older people are pretty to instead of this fake cr@p.

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Note: this post originally had 102 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.