Most of the pictures on social media and magazines are altered in some way, from full out air brushing to cropping an image and slapping a filter on top. We all know this is prominent in most of the media we see, so why are we still allowing retouched images to create our real life beauty standards?
There is some evidence that suggests the industry is changing and moving towards a more natural look in the modeling world. The body positivity movements over the past few years have helped to achieve many milestones, such as Ashley Graham being featured on Sports Illustrated as their first plus-sized model to grace the cover. More and more ad campaigns have gone photoshop free, including the popular brands Aerie and Dove. There are also many independent projects and social media movements featuring unedited, real women. One in particular that I loved was an Instagram trend where women displayed their unedited cellulite.
Although easy to blame, the industry is not the only culprit. There are plenty of apps that make altering an image quick, easy and usable. Perfect 365 will let you add makeup, Slim & Skinny will thin out your face, Instacurves can have you fill out those jeans, while Make Me Thin can help you drop two sizes in two minutes. These are just a sampling of the ways the content we consume has been edited before it meets our eyes. It’s easy for me to reconcile not looking like Gigi Hadid but seeing image after image on social media of regular people just like you edited to perfection might take its toll.
I am not advocating for every image posted to be straight out of the camera. Snapchat filters are fun to play with, and no, I don’t want you to keep that volcano sized pimple on your forehead that will be gone by next week. I will even admit to blurring out the occasional blemish or loose strand of hair before posting. And it’s OK. Photoshop can be used for good. What starts to become problematic is when celebs, Instagram models or even just the girl in your French class slim their jawlines, lengthen limbs or take literal inches off their bodies. This creates totally unrealistic beauty standards and not to mention terrible publicity for the company if there are photoshop fails. Victoria’s secret is out — it’s editing women’s bodies to within an inch of their lives.
I know that drastic photoshopping is not going to end overnight, and that is why I leave you with this — real people have rolls. Real people forget to shave. Real people don’t have arms that go past their knees. Remember that next time you scroll through Instagram or turn the pages of a magazine.
Zoe Stitzer is a freshman studying journalism news and information at Ohio University. Please note that the views and opinions of the columnists do not reflect those of The Post. Do you ever edit out a zit? Let Zoe know by tweeting her @zoe_stitzer.
