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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”

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#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

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

Um, ma'am, your arms... You may want to seek out some medical attention for that.

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

I can't wait until the invasion of the fat a$$es fall out of fashion so that a pancake a$$ like me stands a chance again!

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

Maybe shes born with with, maybe its photoshop. 🤨🧐 Hard to tell… Guess well never know. /s

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

The crazy part is this young lady is actually gorgeous. So many women get it in their head that they have to fit a certain size or body type. Society doesn’t help of course. Ladies be you. Not some made up version. I love my wife and I think she’s the sexiest woman on earth but she sees herself completely flawed. I see zero flaws. If a man/woman doesn’t love YOU then send their low life selves on their way.

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

These people need to get off the computer and get into therapy.

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

i cant tell if the face is edited but if not she is GORGEOS (i cant spell im sorry)

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

She needs a Skillshare subscription. Maybe next time she'll mask her arms.

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

I think her thought must have been under the influence of something and it certainly wasn’t reason.

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

When you only have 5 min and the 1st thing you find in Photoshop is liquify (liquify tool lets you do these kind of things. It is the most abused feature of the program)

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

The sad part is , is that she looks really pretty anyway. Idk ab u guys but i focus on ppls faces and resonate and she is so pretty

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

Annnnd I just realised it says 2002....let's never speak of this again....*face palm

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

The Wall is shrinking with her waist to!!! Oh My !!! She’s being eaten!!!

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

Again, such a beautiful person who made themselves look ridiculous with trying to alter their figure.

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

I wonder what my ink will look like when I get old and my skin stretches out.

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

She looks like an LOL Doll.... and the bricks don't like it.

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

She looks like she is sticking her head through one of those cut outs at an amusement park.

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

Ok… here me out! There are woman who wear extreme corsets and really look like this! Edit: ok sorry I did not see her arms lol.

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

I'm no expert, but I'm PRETTY sure that wall doesn't really look like that in that one particular spot. LMAO

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

Yes, the unreal distribution of body fat is definitely something to worry about!

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M O'Connell
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm sure she edited it on a tiny phone screen and couldn't tell how bad it actually looked.

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

Reminds me of horse with two legs running https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jd8219Nj2so

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

No one has noticed her lobsided boobs and how her chest skin tone differs from the skin tone in her neck and face.

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

Knew I'd spot one. The wall is warped between her arm and her body on the right side.

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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.

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#9

She’s 48

She’s 48

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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

Perfect_Variety968 Report

#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

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#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

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#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…

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#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…

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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!
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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

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#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.