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With social media came the filters and an all-time high insecurity problem. Mostly everyone by now is well informed about the truth hidden behind Instagram pictures, however, that did not make our problems disappear.

A lot of the time influencers have discreet changes in their images, and it is hard to tell whether it is real or not. That is why shedding some light on the issue from time to time serves as an important reminder. Images we see on social media are often highly curated and do not represent reality. Aside from promoting unattainable body image to their followers, influencers who use filters constantly damage their view of their own appearance.

But not only influencers use these beauty filters. In a 2021 study by the City University of London, it was discovered that 90% of women from ages 18-30 use appearance-altering editing programs. Most women feel pressured to look a particular way as well as the need to showcase a ‘perfect life’. This constant obsession with our looks can lead to negative body image and self-esteem issues, and in some cases, may contribute to the development of mental health problems such as depression and anxiety.

With that being said, fellow Pandas, we want to tell you that you are beautiful just the way you are, and any features you try to hide are the ones that make you unique. Filters will only make you look unrealistic, and in this case, even ridiculous.

To get a better understanding on how filters affect us, Bored Panda got in touch with body-positive social media influencer saggysara. See the full interview with her below.

More info: Instagram | TikTok | Youtube

#1

“That Moment When Your Eyebrow Glitches Through Your Hat”

“That Moment When Your Eyebrow Glitches Through Your Hat”

Karidaddylover Report

#2

“I Never Use Filters” Was In Her Bio…

“I Never Use Filters” Was In Her Bio…

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Javel!
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1 year ago

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#3

I Wonder What The Thought Process, To The Point Of Uploading This Was Like

I Wonder What The Thought Process, To The Point Of Uploading This Was Like

generalprime1 Report

Since social media has been criticized for presenting a distorted reality, the body-positive movement started to appear as an “antidote”. Body positivity is the idea that all people should have a positive body image, regardless of their size, shape, or appearance. The goal of body positivity is to create a more inclusive and accepting society, where people feel comfortable and confident in their own skin.

Sara Puhto is one of the body-positive influencers that is spreading a message of what a normal body looks like on her Instagram account saggysara. “I post daily reminders to help people see the “reality” behind posed photos, and the curated aspects of photos, and with filters, I have touched on comparison photos to show how different filters alter our natural faces. To help people realize they shouldn’t compare themselves to what they see online,” shared Sara.

#4

Hahaha This Girl Is Funny, She Post About The Reality Of Her Photos And The Difference Is Hilarious

Hahaha This Girl Is Funny, She Post About The Reality Of Her Photos And The Difference Is Hilarious

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

Whenever I see a totally edited photo of someone, next to a natural photo of them, I always prefer the natural pic, because at least they look human.

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#5

I Need To Re-Learn Anatomy After Seeing What Influencers Look Like These Days

I Need To Re-Learn Anatomy After Seeing What Influencers Look Like These Days

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#6

Salutations From Qatar

Salutations From Qatar

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Hippopotamuses
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Who could even think for a moment that this is an accurate example of a human being?

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Usage of filters on social media can have long-lasting consequences. When people use or see filtered faces and bodies, they start to accept it as a norm, and because of that, their self-perception changes. There was even seen a rise in plastic surgery related to filters. Most of the procedures requested are on the eyes, nose, and lips. “I’ve had a few messages saying that people have wanted plastic surgery to look like filters (eg. lip filler). In all honesty, I have had this thought too around 2 years back during covid where I only really saw filtered faces online but never ended up getting it and had to take a moment to unpack why I felt the need/want to get lip filler and realized it wasn’t something that I personally could justify doing at the time.

I’ve also heard other people say that filters negatively affect their self-esteem as they see the beauty filters as enhancing certain 'in trend' aesthetic aspects that they don’t feel they have naturally,” shared Sara.

“I personally don’t use them on my page and if I do they’re more of the 'silly' ones and with the beauty filters I only use them to show the difference between my natural face and the filter,” added Sara.

#7

This "Hot" Football Fan, Unedited vs. Her Instagram. She's 20

This "Hot" Football Fan, Unedited vs. Her Instagram. She's 20

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

That would probably be the lip injections, over-contouring and contacts giving that artificial vibe...

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

I’m 40, and I don’t look like either of those photos, which I am 1000% fine with!

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SaneMinotaur (she/her)
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow, she looks about 40 :/ That's so sad, she obviously has a lot of issues. Plastic surgeons shouldn't be allowed to operate on people this young, and just generally not unless someone has a lot of therapy first.

klynch4 avatar
Loki’s Lil Butter Knife
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I’m in my late 30s and don’t look anything like her. Her lips looks like she got stung by a swarm of bees and her skin is so puffy and due to fillers. Sadly, there are plastic surgeons who have no morals and will operate on people with severe body dysmorphia and problems with self esteem.

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

20 fathoms below the surface you will find strange looking creatures with disproportionate lips.

annevanstaden87 avatar
Anne Van Staden
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What the hell is wrong with her lips. All these women have a distorted view of beauty. It's very sad

adeline-drew44 avatar
Saggi
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ok what happened to wanting to make yourself young? Is this the new trend. Oh please don’t let it be a new trend.

roryborealis07 avatar
Katie the Koala
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don’t get the obsession with huge lips, they just look uncomfortable

chsmith avatar
CHRISTY SMITH
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well in her defense, she looks like c**p in both pictures and her face is just as yellow in the 2nd pic as it is in the 1st. She looks like she's in her 40's.

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Carina Geiger
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Contouring looks terrifying in the wrong angle. But this takes the crown.

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

Magdalena Keškić https://showbuzz.dnevnik.hr/zanimljivosti/hrvatska-navijacica-magdalena-keskic-provukla-paznju-u-katru---753810.html

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

I can't help but think she's likely very pretty without all that...extraneous stuff - makeup, potentially lip filler or plumper or whatever. If she feels pretty with it, that's definitely up to her, but...no one should feel like they have to do this.

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

I want to wash her to see her true skintone. This seem 20 shades to dark… maybe it comes with the years? 😂

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

I don’t believe one is unedited. I think they are both edits varying from bad to extreme

deespam510 avatar
Private Caller
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why do all that to yo face just to still end up editing your pictures.

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

Somehow I feel sorry for the shirts. In both pictures.

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

Ugh to both. She looks high maintenance which is a turn off for me.

scarletriley_2 avatar
ADHD raptor
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

not going to lie she would be ALOT prettyer without all the eye makeup, and no im not saying that bcz " your butifull the way you are" im saying it bcz she already looks super good (again, i cant spell)

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

Usually, people say "but she looks so good natural". Not this time.

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

she is a shame of our country - everyday normal girls are pretty - this is not

perstephone29 avatar
Persephone
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm assuming the age is a lie, but she doesn't need to edit/filter her photos... I'm sure she was more beautiful before surgery and editing.

krisdargan avatar
Who Panda 420
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't think you can call either pic unedited. No shame but work was done

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

Are people just getting plastic surgery for filters now? Cause Im legit scared of her actual face. She could play a villain in any horror movie.

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

She would look great in the natural pic, if it weren't for that weird-a*s makeup

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

"Unedited"??? Looks like this has been surgically edited multiple times.

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

20 years old, or 20 IQ? people like this should be banned from phones. Then again, what would we have to laugh about?

chsmith avatar
CHRISTY SMITH
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The first pic is also heavily edited, nobody’s face is naturally that scary looking - enlarge it & you’ll see what I mean.

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

This makes me sad. So many women think this is all there is to life. Of course they'll probably hit you if you whistle at them.

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Kitty1019
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They all look like cartoon porn stars. (According to my friend).

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

great now i will get nightmares of e.t.s sister tonight

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#9

She’s 48

She’s 48

superfunpants Report

There has been a lot of discussion about the use of photo filters and editing tools on social media, and the impact they can have on people's body image and self-esteem. Some people have called for more transparency when it comes to the use of filters, similar to how sponsored posts are labeled on social media.

“The ease with which we can use filters and then post that photo as a post and it doesn’t state anywhere that the photo is filtered, I think that increases the unrealistic/unattainable standards that people think they should look like the filtered versions of themselves naturally,” shared Sara.

#10

Popular Tiktoker Who Gets Paid/Sponsored To Review Skincare & Makeup Products

Popular Tiktoker Who Gets Paid/Sponsored To Review Skincare & Makeup Products

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#11

The Absolute Worst Offender

The Absolute Worst Offender

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Javel!
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1 year ago

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To promote positivity on body image, it is important to engage with body-positive accounts on social media, share your own body-positive content and messages, educate yourself about the harmful effects of social media, support body-positive organizations and campaigns, be mindful of the language you use when talking about bodies and appearance, practice self-care, and encourage others to embrace their unique qualities and celebrate their bodies. By taking these steps, you can help to create a more inclusive and accepting society where people of all shapes and sizes feel valued and confident in their own skin.

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“I attempt to ground/remind my followers by showing them reminders of the curation and behind-the-scenes of Instagram photos and to see that at the end of the day, so many things on the human body that we have labeled as ‘flawed’ are actually so normal, they are a part of us, a part of being human and being alive. We shouldn’t feel ashamed of these absolutely normal human aspects,” Sara added.

#13

Gonna Have To Go With No

Gonna Have To Go With No

seashell1975 Report

#14

Not Much Is Real In Her Pics And Videos Plus The Backround Moves Round In Them, Last Pic Is One She Was Tagged In From A Hairdresser

Not Much Is Real In Her Pics And Videos Plus The Backround Moves Round In Them, Last Pic Is One She Was Tagged In From A Hairdresser

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#15

Instagram vs. Red Carpet Interview

Instagram vs. Red Carpet Interview

irishartistry Report

#16

Her Post vs. What She Was Tagged In By The Content Photographer…

Her Post vs. What She Was Tagged In By The Content Photographer…

pineapplesoapdope Report

#17

I Need Help Bc Why Did She Tell Someone In The Comments The Reason You Can’t See Her Pores Is *good Foundation* When She’s Literally Blurred To Oblivion…

I Need Help Bc Why Did She Tell Someone In The Comments The Reason You Can’t See Her Pores Is *good Foundation* When She’s Literally Blurred To Oblivion…

unicorndollface97 Report

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#18

I Literally Use This Girls Fitness App

I Literally Use This Girls Fitness App

AlertSanity Report

#19

62k Likes, 1k Comments On Her "Perfect Body"

62k Likes, 1k Comments On Her "Perfect Body"

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

How can these unrealistic horse-butts be considered beautiful? I don't get it!

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#20

She Posts Loads Like This

She Posts Loads Like This

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Pheonixvatoreii
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

These poor girls. The problem with this is not the girls. Its the fact that they are made to feel the need to photoshop their images by society's expectation of what women look like/should look like. These girls all look just as pretty without the filters, but they are likely insecure enough to feel like they arent. Edit: Hell this blew up. Yes I know these people should take responsibility for their actions. Sure society isng to blame for all. If these girls think they have to do that to get attention, there is something very wrong. Part of if is social pressure, that is undeniable. They aren't forced to do anything, but the problem is that they must feel like they are being.

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#21

Her Ig Post vs. Ig Tagged

Her Ig Post vs. Ig Tagged

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

But why do these people thing that no one can find out the truth? I mean, they have a life, and if they get famous from this then they are bound to be seen someplace, and people can take pictures that they can’t edit, so what is the reasoning behind that?

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#22

Ms Girl Who Claims She Doesn’t Use Filters

Ms Girl Who Claims She Doesn’t Use Filters

Big_Establishment656 Report

#24

Looking For Compression Shirts When Suddey…

Looking For Compression Shirts When Suddey…

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#25

Influencer’s Photo Posted On Insta Versus Screenshot From A Video

Influencer’s Photo Posted On Insta Versus Screenshot From A Video

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Javel!
Community Member
1 year ago

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#27

She Wants To Look Like A Doll

She Wants To Look Like A Doll

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

Geez what’s wrong with looking normal anymore? If you don’t like the way you look naturally, then don’t post photos of yourself.

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#28

She Claims This Isn’t Shopped, But The Uncanny Valley Vibes Makes Me Think She’s Lying

She Claims This Isn’t Shopped, But The Uncanny Valley Vibes Makes Me Think She’s Lying

sweetslipperydee Report

#29

Posted Back To Back. Her Comment Section Is Full Of People Accusing Her Of Black Fishing (And For A Good Reason)

Posted Back To Back. Her Comment Section Is Full Of People Accusing Her Of Black Fishing (And For A Good Reason)

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#30

Damn You Filters!!!

Damn You Filters!!!

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a fruity dream of delusion
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

in my opinion she looks better in the unedited one. she actually looks unique instead of just looking like a doll cut-and-paste.

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Note: this post originally had 33 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.