Beauty filters

What Are Beauty Filters?

Beauty filters are mainly found on social media platforms or in related apps and alter users’ faces. For example, they can smooth the skin, enlarge the eyes, change the lips or nose, or make the face appear slimmer.

Especially on platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, or Snapchat, these filters are used daily by millions of teenagers. Many people use filters for fun, entertainment, or to make photos more creative. However, it can become problematic when teenagers begin to constantly compare their real appearance with edited images.

Scientific studies show that frequent use of beauty filters can negatively affect body image and self-esteem.

Why Do Beauty Filters Have Such a Strong Effect?

Social networks often show seemingly perfect faces and bodies. However, many of these images have been edited or altered using filters. This creates unrealistic beauty ideals that are hardly achievable in real life.

Teenagers and adolescents in particular are going through an important stage of identity development. During this period, other people's opinions often play a major role. Likes, comments, and comparisons with influencers or peers can lead teenagers to judge their own appearance more critically.

Research shows that constantly comparing oneself with idealized images can increase the risk of dissatisfaction with one's own body. Girls in particular, but increasingly also boys, can feel pressured by this.

What Risks and Dangers Are There?

Unrealistic Beauty Ideals

Beauty filters often alter facial features so significantly that they create an unrealistic ideal. Smooth, poreless skin, symmetrical faces, or extremely slim facial features convey an image of “perfection” that hardly anyone can naturally achieve. This can create the impression that people always have to look perfect in order to be accepted or considered attractive.

Lower Self-Esteem

Studies show that frequent use of filters can be associated with insecurities about one's own appearance. Teenagers often compare themselves with edited images of others and consequently feel that they are “not beautiful enough.” This can negatively affect their self-esteem in the long term and lead to stress or self-doubt.

Psychological Distress

Scientific research indicates that intensive consumption of heavily edited images can be associated with psychological distress. These effects include:

• Body dissatisfaction
• Fear of negative evaluation
• Social pressure
• Depressed mood
• Eating disorders or disordered eating

It is particularly problematic when teenagers believe that their real appearance does not meet the “standards” presented on social media.

“Snapchat Dysmorphia”

Experts now even refer to something known as “Snapchat dysmorphia.” This means that people increasingly reject their real appearance because they would rather look like their filtered images. As a result, some may develop a desire for cosmetic procedures or plastic surgery.

How Can We Use Beauty Filters More Mindfully?

Completely avoiding beauty filters is not always necessary. However, it is important to use them consciously and critically.

Helpful tips include:

• Reminding yourself that many images are edited.
• Not constantly comparing your appearance with other people's.
• Following accounts that show realistic and diverse body types.
• Taking regular breaks from social media.
• Focusing on your own strengths and abilities rather than just your appearance.
• Talking to friends or adults about insecurities.

A healthy approach to social media also means understanding that likes or comments say nothing about your value as a person.

How Can You Support Your Friends?

If friends are struggling with their appearance or constantly comparing themselves with filtered images, support can be important.

Helpful approaches include:

• Giving compliments that are not only about appearance.
• Listening and taking their concerns seriously.
• Not reinforcing unrealistic beauty ideals.
• Talking critically about social media together.
• Seeking help if the distress becomes severe, for example from counseling services or psychological support.