Shereene IdrissBoard Certified Derm, Founder and Chief Nerd

Filtered Skin: The Evolution of Digital Correction #shorts

28 Apr 2026 · 0 min

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Photographers have been retouching skin since the 1800s, scratching negatives and using soft-focus lenses. Now AI filters and digital zoom do the work automatically. The question: what does constant exposure to altered images do to how we see ourselves?

Filters existed long before 2016. In the 1800s, photographers were already retouching negatives by hand, scratching away imperfections and dark spots. By the 1900s, soft focus lenses were used to smooth skin in portraits. Fast forward 100 years, the age of social media, filters, zoom, and AI have permanently altered our perception of reality. But have we ever stopped to question, how is this impacting our mental health?