Many, if not all of us, have this need to present ourselves in the best possible light. A lot of people do so by sharing updates of their lives on social media through videos and photos. And with a plethora of ways to edit and enhance an image, there is always that temptation to play with or use beauty filters to make us “look better”.

Embrace Natural Beauty Your Beauty Needs No Filter

Photo editing apps have evolved

In the past, photo editing apps were limited to cropping, adjusting color, brightness, and saturation, and sharpening an image. Times have changed though. Technological advancements have given us the ability to manipulate any photo we want to have that “perfect” shot and upload them for others to see.

Beauty filters have now made it possible to correct the flaws we’re overly concerned about. There are apps that can erase dark spots, plump up the lips, raise cheekbones, slim faces, and a lot more. The options are endless and these have contributed to setting unrealistic beauty standards.

The pressure to look a certain way

A 2021 study from the City University of London found that 90% of young women reported using filters or editing their pictures before posting. They alter images to smooth their skin tone, reshape their nose or jaw, slim their body, bronze their skin, and whiten their teeth.

The study, which involved 175 young women and nonbinary people in the UK, also found that over 90% of participants felt pressure to look attractive while 70% felt pressure to showcase a perfect life. There is also that intense pleasure when getting likes and attention on social media, but can cause huge anxiety for young women.

Are there negative effects of using beauty filters?

Numerous studies suggest that beauty filters can negatively affect mental health, with bigger harm the more you edit your photos. Young people with poor body image and low self-esteem are said to be likely to use filters and this further strengthens the idea they (their natural looks) are not good enough.

Filters have a negative impact on body image, with research suggesting that the use of them led to an increased risk of body/facial dissatisfaction. Many compare their filtered images to the “perfect” photos of their peers and influencers, ignoring the fact that these are also curated and edited. And when done constantly, it can damage both self-esteem and body image.

Embracing your natural beauty and practicing self-care

At Cutis Medical Laser Clinics Singapore, we encourage everyone to discover the beauty that comes from being true to themselves. There’s power in looking and feeling our best, so it is our goal to help you accomplish that or be your partner in achieving your beauty and body goals.

In most cases, it starts with practicing self-care. This involves more than eating healthy, exercising daily, and getting enough sleep. While all of these habits are essential to our overall health, it is also important to engage in things that prioritize yourself and bring a sense of peace. This can involve:

  • Pampering yourself – Get a massage or a facial, shop for clothes that highlight your best features, or spend some time in nature. Treat yourself to things or activities that can make you feel better physically, mentally, and emotionally.
  • Self-love and self-acceptance – Accept yourself as you are instead of being stressed about parts of yourself you cannot change. This is the first step in embracing your natural beauty and taking better care of yourself.
  • Letting your creativity shine – Learn and engage in something creative like dancing, music lessons, or photography. This can have a positive impact on your mental health and the way you feel about yourself.

How Cutis can help

We at Cutis know that looking and feeling your best can sometimes involve addressing or improving certain skin conditions, especially those that make you self-conscious. If you’re looking to become less dependent on filters or avoid them altogether, we can help you start that journey.

Our clinic has treatments and products carefully formulated to enhance your natural features, so you can feel radiant without the use of filters or photo editing. The goal is to make you look like you, but fresher and energized. We know how it is important to look great for your age and not necessarily several years younger.

Here are a few treatments that can help you achieve a naturally glowing and youthful look:

  • Cosmetic injectables – The right dosage of botulinum toxin removes that sad, tired, or angry appearance on your face without looking frozen or fake. Dermal fillers, on the other hand, restore volume loss and enhance your natural features. There is also bio-remodeling injectable that can hydrate the skin, treat signs of aging, and improve skin quality.
  • Laser skin resurfacing – This removes the damaged layers of the skin, revealing a pearly glow underneath. It can improve sun-damaged skin, lines, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, and uneven skin texture.
  • Laser skin rejuvenation – This stimulates collagen regrowth and tackles a host of problems, including acne and scarring, rosacea, tiny facial veins, lines, wrinkles, and dark spots. It can improve your complexion for photo-ready skin.
  • Chemical peels – These can transform the appearance of your skin by improving its tone, texture, and clarity. They can lighten hyperpigmentation, soften lines and wrinkles, improve acne scars, and stimulate collagen production

We also have non-surgical anti-aging and rejuvenation treatments that can help improve sagging skin, stubborn fat bulges, and other skin issues. We use US FDA-cleared and CE-marked devices to address different skin, face, and body concerns.

Your beauty needs no filter

Taking better care of your skin and body lets you have a canvas that won’t need filters. This sometimes involves getting help, especially if you’re setting up skin and beauty goals that are aimed to improve both your self-esteem and body image. This is because the more confident you are about your looks, the less you have to hide or use filters in your images.

Contact Cutis Medical Laser Clinics in Singapore and schedule a consultation with our aesthetic doctor to learn more about our treatments and the ways we can help you.