ADVERTISEMENT

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…

Captaincadet Report

Add photo comments
POST
Javel!
Community Member
1 year ago

This comment has been deleted.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#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.

ADVERTISEMENT
#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

Karidaddylover Report

Add photo comments
POST
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.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#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

PsychologicalStory66 Report

#6

Salutations From Qatar

Salutations From Qatar

Jacobinister Report

Add photo comments
POST
Hippopotamuses
Community Member
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?

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

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.

ADVERTISEMENT

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.

ADVERTISEMENT

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.

ADVERTISEMENT

“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

melnee127 Report

Add photo comments
POST
Javel!
Community Member
1 year ago

This comment has been deleted.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

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.

ADVERTISEMENT

“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

clutchkickmurphys Report

#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

ADVERTISEMENT
#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

#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"

NegativeOneSip Report

Add photo comments
POST
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!

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#20

She Posts Loads Like This

She Posts Loads Like This

0ddness Report

Add photo comments
POST
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.

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

I'd say it's all down to clicks. And a vicious circle of expectations. They get more clicks when they are filtered because there's a generation of clickers whose expectations are normalised to filtered photos. The are the victims and partial cause (or at least pertpetuating) the unrealistic culture. As long as they get more clicks for the fake than real pics, they'll keep doing it. And somehow our society does give them more clicks.....

Load More Replies...
Jihana
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In Austria we would say "sie hat nen Hintern wie ein Brauerei-Pferd" which translates to "she's got a butt like a draft horse from a brewery"

Megan The Viking Traveler
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Okay....I always think who the f*ck is taking these pictures? Or is it just on timer? This just feels like a lot of work to me.

Let’s Be Kind
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Their boyfriends follow them around like a little sheep dog, gyrating into all sorts of weird and sometimes dangerous positions in order for their girlfriends to have the “money shot” to post to their stupid social media pages so strangers can hit a thumbs up button. 😤😤😤

Load More Replies...
Robert T
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Perfect. I was just looking for somewhere to park my bike!

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

When she gets older she is going to need a separate platform on her walker to support her rear end.

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

They have these tools where it's like a plastic handle that holds paper so they can reach... but it's for the ladies with real bottoms or the ones with those too long nails.

Load More Replies...
WeatheredRobot
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Would this be on a "body dysmorphia" spectrum at this point 🤔. Like, at what point is a filter actively encouraging/creating mental health problems?

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

I would ask her to please demonstrate: 1. How she puts these pants on (the elastic just defies all kinds of physics and whatnot) 2. How she wipes her behind (the technique, the yoga practice needed) 3. ....

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

well aside from being obscene, that horse-butt can't be comfortable to waddle around with ;)

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

I wouldn't want to sit next to her in a public transport. She'd take too much space

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

Makes me laugh, how fashions change. I've had a big backside my whole life, and it turns out I was born at the wrong time ;-)

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

Not trying to bash anyone, but the Kardashian big butt thing is probably responsible for a lot of this.

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

Oh that is just repulsive, come on. You can't MrPotatohead half an obese person and half a child together

Let’s Be Kind
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I honestly DO NOT get this. None of the social media “likes” are real-life true interactions with other humans. We’ve created this weird, fake world where there’s this pseudo sense of human contact but it’s not real! (As I post this to BP, I do see the irony, but my point is valid, nonetheless). Why are we desperately chasing clicks of buttons for “likes” and abandoning actual real human likes???

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

this has to be able to be used as a diagnosis for dysmorphia like how does someone look at this and many of these images and think, yes, this is what I should look like, this is believable like wtf. to any healthy person this is ridiculous looking. these poor people

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

Doesnt big rear equal massive dumps yeah? It does for me i know that

SCP 4666
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If a woman would really look like that she could easily carry triplets and they would just slip out during childbirth

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

It must be trolling. No one edit picture like this and thinks: Yeah, it looks fine and realistic.

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

She's an animal lover. She's got a great big a$$ that follows her everywhere she goes!

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

Speaking of loads, I think she's carrying a couple in those shorts.

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

Poor thing. Rather than being mocked, she needs a Give a little page page to fund corrective surgery.

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

Why would you want your A** to look huge? She is advertising to a very specific taste and it isn't the quality she should be looking for in a man. And the man who is all about that is going to lose interest when he sees real her.

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

My a*s looks like this and it's in proportion to my fat stomach.

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

Who decided that absurdly, ridiculously, and obesely large behinds were attractive?

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#21

Her Ig Post vs. Ig Tagged

Her Ig Post vs. Ig Tagged

coconanas Report

Add photo comments
POST
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?

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#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…

vlas-t Report

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#25

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

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

Potato_Boner Report

Add photo comments
POST
Javel!
Community Member
1 year ago

This comment has been deleted.

View more commentsArrow down menu
#27

She Wants To Look Like A Doll

She Wants To Look Like A Doll

zemaxzm Report

Add photo comments
POST
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.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#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)

Possible-Whole8046 Report

#30

Damn You Filters!!!

Damn You Filters!!!

Iammehedi1996 Report

Add photo comments
POST
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.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
Continue reading with Bored Panda Premium
Unlimited content
Ad-free browsing
Dark mode
#31

Another Of Everyone’s Favorite Gorl. They Had To Edit The Dress To Cover Her Forearm

Another Of Everyone’s Favorite Gorl. They Had To Edit The Dress To Cover Her Forearm

appendendectomyscar Report

#32

Photo Posted By Influencer vs. A Still From A Brand's Video Featuring Her

Photo Posted By Influencer vs. A Still From A Brand's Video Featuring Her

fallacyfallacy Report

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#33

She's Viral On Twitter Rn For A Tiktok Of Her Hot Parents... Post vs. Tagged

She's Viral On Twitter Rn For A Tiktok Of Her Hot Parents... Post vs. Tagged

applesodabottle Report

Add photo comments
POST
Javel!
Community Member
1 year ago

This comment has been deleted.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu