The Dangers of Face Filters

Face filters are an emerging type of augmented reality (AR) technology that uses smart tools to edit the appearance of users’ facial features in real-time. This new technology is transforming the way people take selfies and is becoming a powerful marketing tool for brands.

These augmented reality beauty filters can be found on social media apps including Snapchat, Instagram, and TikTok. They use artificial intelligence to transform the appearance of a person’s face and apply digital makeup. They also adjust the user’s nose or jawline, increase their eye and lip size, and smooth their skin.

While fun and funny, augmented reality face filters can also have serious health consequences. They can lead to body dysmorphia, self-esteem issues, and even mental health episodes.

The first popular face filters appeared on Snapchat in 2015 and prompted users to alter their faces for fun and entertainment purposes. Some of these early filters, referred to as Lenses, were comedic and made it possible for users to change their eyes or lips into different animals or vomit rainbows.

However, these filters have become more than a way to create fun and quirky transformations; they’re now being used for what is referred to as “beauty filters,” which are much more problematic. These filters are based on a Eurocentric standard of beauty that people often strive to achieve through cosmetic procedures or by using these augmented reality filters.

Researchers are beginning to notice that people who use these filters are at a higher risk for body dysmorphia, depression, and anxiety than those who don’t. According to CNN, the risk is especially high among young women.

Educators and mental health professionals should be aware of the potential effects of these filters on young people. They should make sure to inform their students and clients about the dangers of these filters, and explain the negative impact they could have on appearance and self-esteem.

Artists and vloggers also need to be aware of the impact these filters can have on their reputations. For example, a YouTuber named Mia grew addicted to using face-altering filters on her TikTok videos. She says she was happy to use them to make her photos look more ‘perfect’ and ‘beautiful,’ until she realized that they were changing her appearance so drastically that she no longer recognized her own face.

She was so disturbed by this that she began an investigation into the effect they were having on her appearance, and found that the filters were causing her to feel self-conscious and depressed. She has since stopped using these filters, but she is still concerned about the harmful impacts they can have on young people’s bodies and mental health.

In addition to creating more positive images of people, these filters can also be used to help people show their support for causes they care about. For example, Ines Longevial, a Paris-based artist, created AR face filters that featured themes of social causes such as “Save the Planet Mask.”

If you’re looking to add a beauty filter to your videos, be sure to choose an app that provides a range of filters and makeup retouching tools. YouCam Video is one of the best video editing apps that offers a wide range of retouching and makeup tools to give you an ultra-glam face for your videos.