Instagram will ban plastic surgery face filters

By

plastic surgery face filter on Instagram
Teresa Fogolari created a filters called "Plastica."
Screenshot: TeresaFogolari/Instagram

The company that makes face filters for Instagram will soon remove all filters that offer AR plastic surgery.

The new policy will be welcomed by body-positive activists and mental health professionals who believe social media is feeding a rise in body dysmorphia. They point to anecdotes from cosmetic surgeons who get requests from patients to match the look created by so-called beauty filters.

Spark AR announced it will suspend approval of new effects relating to plastic surgery and in the coming weeks systematically remove those that already exist. Spark AR has created a community of creators and it reviews proposed effects to consider for Instagram’s gallery of filters.

“We want Spark AR effects to be a positive experience and are evaluating our existing policies as they related to well-being,” the statement read. Spark AR wants to “maintain a healthy AR ecosystem for creators and our entire community.”

The new rules come one month after Instagram adopted restrictions for posts relating to weight loss products and cosmetic surgery.

Last year, Cult of Mac reported on a study titled “Selfies – Living in the Era of Filtered Photographs” that was published online by Journal of America Medical Association.

The report’s author surveyed plastic and reconstructive surgeons who saw an increase in patients wanting to improve their look for selfies.

“While filters that add flowers or animals ears to a photograph are clearly an embellishment, other edits may be subtler and instead promote a pressure to look a certain way,” wrote Dr. Neelam A. Vashi of Boston University School of Medicine’s Department of Dermatology. “This is an alarming trend because those filtered selfies often present an unattainable look and are blurring the line of reality and fantasy for these patients.”

Source: The Tab

Newsletters

Daily round-ups or a weekly refresher, straight from Cult of Mac to your inbox.

  • The Weekender

    The week's best Apple news, reviews and how-tos from Cult of Mac, every Saturday morning. Our readers say: "Thank you guys for always posting cool stuff" -- Vaughn Nevins. "Very informative" -- Kenly Xavier.