Pro Filler or No Filler? 🧐

The thing about filters is they surpass physical reality. We’re no longer just feeling bad because we don’t look like super models, we’re starting to feel bad for looking human.

This is exactly why I don't post photos with filters and I'll never edit photos. My brain wouldn't be able to handle it, I already have body dysmorphia, I cant even imagine how it would be if I edited my photos.

we ended up perpetuating the trends of the fashion photography industry that we once criticized so much for presenting unrealistic images

I've actually already started (very simplified) talking about pictures being manipulated with my 5y/o, I know it's really early but since advertisements are all around I want him to understand that not all photos are real. In kindergarten they made some photos with green screen just so the children can see that pictures can be changed in many ways 🙂

I like the girl who said that editing her picture was “bad for her brain.” That rings true for me.

fillers/botox/surgery reminds me of the saying that's like "you're not ugly you're just poor." But in the same sense it's no different from fashion, hair, fitness, etc. If you have less money and less free time, you wont look the way influencers and celebrities do who have a hair and makeup team, nutritionist, personal trainer, and fillers. nothing inherently wrong with any of these things but I love the way you promote being honest about what you've had done and that no one just naturally looks like that all the time!

The thing about botox and fillers is that I didn't realise how many of my peers got them done and I just thought they had perfect, wrinkle-free skin. And so when I started getting fine lines and the forehead crease, I thought I was weird and aging too fast. To me, it's very similar to filtered photos except at least with photos, I know they're probably altered... I guess I dont mind others getting it done but it does change the standards of what 'acceptable' is 🤷‍♀️

I feel like companies like Apple should have already years ago created a selfie camera on their phones that don't distort the image so much (creating a larger nose etc) because I think this really creates a lot of body dysmorphia issues. I realised that I didn't dislike the way I looked in real life, only on camera

I don’t like the idea of fillers being in your face for years & years… which happens more than people think. They also migrate and that freaks me out even more!

Being the mom of two young girls, I’m scared for the pressures they will face as they grow. Even for myself, once I try a filter seeing myself without it kind of hurts my feelings lol

I like my face, I’m sixty and wrinkled and won’t bother having any “work” done. The use I can think of for me is my hair is falling out (thanks immune deficiencies) and I can virtually try on different hair styles. Happy Holidays 🎄🖤🎄

I’m so glad I became an adult before Instagram boom. I’ve had thoughts about charging up my body and getting work done- but never for selfies! I’ve always wanted a flatter tummy but not for the socials- more for myself. It’s scary that apps are dictating Beauty ideals than human beings now.

I’ve had filler done in my nose. It was a good decision. The tip used to have a dip and made my nose look… split? Now it’s the same nose, just without the dip. Nothing drastic, but now I simply like the way I look a little more. I’m glad I did it at 24 after thinking about it for a few years. I wasn’t rushed by trends or filters ☺️

So important topic! I remember a couple of years ago a teen girl went missing in Germany, and both the parents and the police had a hard time making the "Missing child" press releases, because every single recent photo of her was retouched by some app or the other. Sadly I can't remember how the case ended... I'm an older woman... (42...) so I don't mind posting "raw" selfies - but I am mindful of lighting and pose, so I'm not immune.

I'm actually an Instagram filter creator, what I mostly do is: I don't create any filters that will change your face's shape (no lip filler, no nose or cheek slimming, none of that), I have even lost clients over this because especially influencers, always want one of those, but I feel better not doing it. A good thing is Instagram is always making sure it shows up there's a filter being used (even if you download your picture and post it later on stories, it shows up), which is good because it doesn't promote that that's what they look like.

I think fillers/botox are still symptoms of our society's intense beauty standards to stay looking young and adhere to certain ideal beauty look, so I can't really say I'm pro. I myself feel a lot of pressure to stay 'beautiful' and it feels like I'm considering fillers only to adhere to this standard that I see all around me online. So I definitely don't think anyone doing fillers are doing something wrong, but I still think they maintain our struggle with aging and facial features that stray from the beauty 'norm', and there's a lot of societal pressure on people to get them

Well, I'm 75, so frankly, my dear, I am waging a losing battle. I honestly don't care what others do unless - as you say - they are selling products that allegedly do what their procedures have done. A lot is said about the influence of filters, etc., on the young but they can have a surprisingly negative effect on the "more mature" 🙄, particularly older women. Quite a few are not all that aware of what filters can do, so when they see doctored pictures of "ladies of a certain age" it can be quite devastating when they are comparing their own skin with the filtered pics.

I personally would shy away from something that has the potential to be a lifelong obligation to update. Fillers can sometimes cause stretching of the skin, and if you don't keep getting it filled it can cause sagging and sunken looking skin. I absolutely think it's fine for others to do. I couldn't care less.

That app is insanity! I love how you balance being honest about your Botox, fillers, in context to skincare.

Hated my lips because they were uneven and after 4 or 5 years of overdrawing one side, I got fillers. Yes it makes me for confident and I love my reflection now, but dear lord people are always so quick to judge when they learn I got fillers

What frightens me the most about this is the children and teens growing up with this just totally ubiquitous. I remember seeing magazine covers that were poreless and without any natural folds under the eye and thinking they were real - and feeling inadequate. But magazines weren't... in my face every waking moment.

Filler? Pro. Unless an influencer is promoting a product that supposedly improves lips, wrinkles, skin texture etc, and they have had fillers in these same areas: No! Thanks for talking about the filter issue. Prior to finding your channel, I had no idea filters were so extensive. It is really quite sad that due to the bugger-fakery in social media, people are becoming increasingly dismorphic.

I was in junior year of university in 2001. There was a teacher who came in on a psychology class and said “whoever is not happy with themselves should go to the right side of the amphitheater”. We were about 60 people in the room and around 40 got up and went to the right side. When the remaining 20 saw that, some odd 10 moved too. Only 7 of us remained on the left side. Of course it wasn’t only about the physical appearance but 90% of a class not being content is a very large number, in my opinion. On your note, I hate selfies, social media and editing photos, but then again I always was happy with myself. Nice video.

honestly even the silly snapchat filters have messed me up because you think it's cute and innocent but then you realise its been slimming your face and smoothing your skin and now i don't like how i look without a filter

I’d LOVE to chat about my *journey* regarding self acceptance. I’m 40 and I’ve just now discovered self acceptance. I’m VERY anti-filter and never ever use it. EVER. These type of videos that you post are SO important. Thank you for doing these.

A big part of my journey to self-love was learning to take off the Snapchat filters when I took a selfie or video. Now I rarely, if ever, use a filter and if I do it's to have fun- not because I hate how I look

I'm in my early 30s and I'm so glad I was a teen/in my twenties before filters. I know I was attractive because I had a lot of attention from others but I was also self conscious and never felt good enough, despite this. That would only be exacerbated if filters were common place. I could see that really messing me and others up.

Thank you SO much for your honesty about your own "tweakments." It's so rare and refreshing! You look fabulous.

Love this! I’ve had a nose job because I have always hated my nose! BUT I researched the absolute shit out of the procedure and my surgeon AND I saved every penny myself (no debt) and I didn’t do it until I was 30 and absolutely sure I was doing it for the right reasons.

You and Robert have got to stop torturing me. I can't handle you both dropping your videos at the same time!! How am I supposed to pick who to watch first!?!?!

As a person who struggled with eating disorders and also studies art therapy, I want to say there is a process to "loving yourself". Or at least being body neutral. There really is. But let's be honest, it's a long, bumpy and energy consuming process. There's a point where I believe it's ok for people to get work done on themselves as long is it's safe and their whole existence doesn't depend on it. Because if it does then I'd say invest into therapy instead.

1) I highly disapprove of filters when it's an ad. 2) I don't care AT ALL if people get surgery/fillers/botox, whatever. Not everyone is born perfect. 3) What I DO care about is self esteem-especially for youngsters, AND 4) people realizing many of these pics or videos are fake/surgery/filters etc. It is unattainable nowadays and no matter what you do you can't win, I'm so glad I didn't grow up with this crap. I always explain internet vs reality for my daughter who is a pre teen. It's definitely not too early especially nowadays to help them with self esteem

Im a chubby girl and when I was 12, I started posting edited photos of my face and body as a thin person. My mom saw them and she whooped me and lectured me. I was crying so hard but she cried as well. I saw how much it hurt her that I hated myself. She didn't just tell me to love myself, she taught me how to while growing up. She's an amazing mom and I love her very much.

James, social media needs more content creators like you. I am sooo glad you are doing these videos. I feel sorry for the teens and younger people that are growing up being bombarded with unrealistic body and face images. It is easy to imagine what a slippery slope this is. Merry Christmas, James, and to everybody in the comment section!

I’ve been off social media for about 2 months and I feel like I’m slowly really liking the way I look despite not really changing anything. Imagine how much confidence I’ll have in a year lol

I appreciate you being as open as you are about the procedures you've had, like fillers or botox! It's really refreshing. And whoever does yours gives you really natural looking results- you 100% could lie about it and nobody would know tbh, but I really appreciate your honesty!

Thanks for featuring my photo, James! I agree with everything you’ve said and love to share my own journey. No shame in being open about treatments. Happy New Year.

I get jaw relaxation injections like Lab Muffin (yes it is botox indeed!) and honestly it's changed my life. I don't wake up in the morning with toothache and tension all over my face anymore. A slimmer face and a more pronounced jaw line are some nice side effects for me :)

Thank you for addressing these things. We are seeing skyrocketing rates of depression and anxiety and the deceptive nature of social media isn't helping.

I feel like the older I get the more I am becoming comfortable in my own skin. Knowing what works for me and what I think looks good and what doesn't. No work done but I'm not opposed to it. Do what makes you feel good about you!

That girl who said how bad filters are for your brain is bang on. I tried an app a while ago just for fun of a picture of me I really liked too and after I had edited it I didn't feel as good about the original anymore and could only see the things that could be enhanced or made better. After that I vowed to not use them again as I have days of feeling insecure as it is

Now I have a serious urge to teach James about neural networks so he can see how simple is the "evil" behind the faceapp. Honeslty using machine learning for this seemed like a "fun" usecase back at the day when people found out you can detect edges in pictures...now it's just insane. It's literally just feature detection and slight modifications using a bit of math basically. It always fascinated me that there's no evil genius sitting in his high purple chair watching people's confidence go to shit...it's just science that's being used in a pretty shit way (in my opinion anyway...)

Why did you and your brother upload at the same time? Now I have to choose which one to watch 1st.... you guys are my favorite

Yay!! Perfect timing!! On my lunch break then taking some paid time off so I cannot wait to chill and watch!!

to be fair i took a class in HS that taught me how to do taxes and i’ve completely forgotten :) at least i have turbotax lol. watching these videos make me happy i never really got into actively participating on social media besides some random comments on youtube. love your content!

My (personal because it's absolutely none of my business if others get them) issue with fillers is risk versus reward. The reward is relatively low. I won't be able to make lines in my forehead or my jaw will be more rounded our. But the risk is relatively high. Even at good doctors, your body can reject filler and cause infection. In botox, there isn't a complete understanding of long term risk.

I try to stay away from filters as much as possible and I also don't really use social media, so it's really hard for me to notice when other people use, especially nowadays when the technology is insanely good. I really appreciate your videos and the way you point things out because it just goes to show that most everything on social media is fake and to be taken very lightly. it's also really uncomfortable seeing video after video edit these naturally beautiful pictures because the after photos look eerily similar to one another. I didn't even notice it at first, but everyone started to look the same! it's so creepy to see in real time and scary because I'm not sure I would notice if I was just scrolling through Instagram or Twitter

Would be a bit cautious about consistent filler, studies show filler stays in your face and can “move” from its initial placement, making the area overall thicker and less effective as the filler stacks on itself

I like your before nose. One topic to bring up with this whole subject is the homogenization of appearance. People all start to look the same and individuality and ethnicity is getting lost. I was also thinking of how the world may have been before everybody even had mirrors, and now cameras. I'm pretty old, and since I can't see my own face, I don't stress about it too much. The incessant looking we all do now at ourselves and others, and using it to assess character, overshadows other ways of judging people that are often more valid. Our faces used to tell the story of our life, and now it tells a fairy tale. Love you, James. Keep on doing this. The kids need to know.

It’s not only affecting the younger generation but also the older too. My mom is turning 55 next month and she asked me how she can look like JLo in an AD. She constantly rags on herself and keep pointing out how something looks on her body and face but she looks fine and is also healthy. It’s really heartbreaking and I don’t know what to say to her to try and help her😔

I got catfished on a date by a person who edits his and his family’s photo like a pro 🤣 I’m so shocked up until now that I can’t get over it 🤣

James Welsh has taught me so so much. Really both of the Welsh Twins have supremely educated me. Thank you guys, my skin is better than ever and makeup techniques have evolved so much.

Man thanks for your videos, I'm bingeing a bunch of them now, and they are very fascinating and insightful. I had no idea just how far things had gone with all this editing and apps etc. Crazy times we're living in lol.

Filler in the face can lead to blindness. Threads may be not be reversible. I know that I would be quite appreciative if "influencers" who are open about their work, which I appreciate in and of itself, also discussed the possible cons. Researching the cons, side effects, and possible implications on future aging has been enough for me to love myself and imperfections because for me, being healthy is more important than looking good in pictures.

I appreciate that you tell us what you have and you don't do anti aging because of this

James, not sure if anyone mentioned it already but there’s no audio from 3:26 to 4:03 - I don’t think that’s done on purpose since the sound comes back halfway through your sentence! Love the video, hi from Poland ❤️

I'm contemplating a very minor cosmetic surgery and really struggling between accepting and loving myself as i am, versus taking advantage of technology to add quality of life to the second half of my lifespan. Thank you for being supportive and taking stigma out of what others might have called vanity

This is why I love your channel; you're ethical about these topics while promoting self happiness and wellness. I don't know exactly how I feel about fillers, Botox, etc. But, if everyone approached it the way you do, the world would just be a more honest place to live in. And that's what it's about, really - honesty.

The joy of getting into my 60s is the fact that from about 50 onward I finally realised that folk are too busy living their lives dealing with their own issues to worry about what I look like. As my mum used to say there are plenty of people in the graveyard who would love to have your worries.

I love that you have a healthy attitude towards yourself. I love your honesty too. You are a beautiful man, as is Robert. and Marcus as well. Your parents did a wonderful job teaching you all to "you do you". I love your content. Keep it up!

Your non-edited vs edited photo really beings it home that minor changes have a major impact. There have been videos of possible procedures celebrities have done. It is always the small things one never thinks about like straighten teeth because that changes how teeth protrude and even the shape of the lower face.

It’s pretty crazy how far you can take photo-editing these days. I forget how truly easy it is to completely change the way you look online with a few clicks of a button. I like how you pointed out the various safety concerns that come with these filters because almost everybody can be affected by these concerns!

I'm glad James posted a message about this on KZfaq because I swear I never saw this be posted!! Anyone else? I mean apparently thousands of people did but hmm

Hey!! It’s me in the thumbnail, that’s hilarious!! 🤣🤣🤣

I think it's important to disclose if a filter was used; if an app was used to modify the final image; if fillers/botox/surgery was done so people are aware that's it's not just good lighting or poses. It's not enough to simply say "nothing on social media is real and everyone knows that" because many people are scrolling through social media for hours a day. Hypothetical scenario, someone spending 7+ hours a day scrolling through countless images that aren't real will end up registering these images as "normal" and attainable in real life.

Absolutely phenomenal video topic! The use of digital enhancements in EVERY aspect of our lives is the reality we are living in now. Ranging from beauty standards to the food we consume (like I saw a grocery ad on TV and I know that apple didn't fall from that tree looking 10/10 🤔). It is videos like this that create an open and honest dialogue about the things we see, hear, and compare ourselves to in traditional and online media. From you, not only have I learned that it is all about progression over perfection, but equally it is about education over expectations (or rather the unrealistic expectations we put on ourselves based on what we see). It is truly refreshing to see an influencer/content creator use their platform to educate and speak on these sensitive, sometimes secretive topics. The more we know, the better equipped we'll (and hopefully the younger generations) be to recognize the real manipulation out there (when it comes to brands/celebrities using digital enhancements to sell products) but also to realign ourselves to a more mentally safe space by realizing that not everything you see online is 100% real. Love your work James! Lots of love and support to you always! ❤

It always starts out as subtle tweaks until people take it too far. If you don't do the work to figure out the mental/emotional reasons why you hate so many little things about yourself you will always find things about yourself that need "fixed." There's actually nothing wrong with how any of us look, but mentally we are all very effed up.

This video is FANTASTIC! Great job! I love the educational and raw conversation you have. Great job.

I try to not even play with those filters because I know that will affect me so much

I would say this is the problem with those 'naturally looking' fillers and botox. We get so used to these altered 'naturally looking' faces that we think that is how human face should look, while sadly it is not exactly real.

It's amazing the difference of just a camera can make. I had every single selfie I take with my phone, but I'm actually pretty pleased with how I look on Zoom (with reasonably decent lighting).

I’m 30, and I’m getting filler for the first time next month. I’ve lost a bit of volume in my cheeks due to losing weight/not looking after my skin properly when I was younger. Now I have a quite prominent smile line on the one side of my face, which bugs me every time I look in the mirror! It’s going to make me feel better about myself so why the heck not!

I do think that fillers and very small irl tweaks have more of a social impact than we think of and it creates a "natural beauty" standard that's not as attainable as people like to make it.

To me, what people do with their own faces is their business, but it does worry me a bit that there has become an ideal type of face or look, in a similar way there was re body size, pre body positivity movement (and obviously the whole body image thing hasn't gone away). If I can afford it in a couple of years I might have a bit of botox, until then I'm sticking with looking after my skin. The filler on the bridge of the nose is really interesting. I was interested in under eye filler, as my under eyes are a bit sunken, but I read the other day that it's very risky and a lot of good practitioners are now advising against it, so I've changed my mind!

Psychology goes hand in hand with beauty...y'all stay safe out there and realise there ain't a filter for mental health

Thank u for awarning people about filler consequences in the end ❤

In my opinion when so many people get these little tweaks done it raises the beauty standard for everyone and puts more pressure on people to look good and maybe lowers the self esteem for people who don't want/can't get these tweaks done. But then again everyone has the right to do whatever they want to their faces and it's not really anyone elses business

I just agree with everything you said 😅 As long as you’re not actively selling something and claiming that a product did something that a filler actually did, fill away! Or at least disclaim it! Honestly by this point I feel disclaiming filters/editing might be just as important as disclaiming an ad 🤷🏼‍♀️

I think with fillers - obvi people should do what they want to with their body - but it’s also a kind of grey area in the ‘people don’t actually look like that, but then they also literally do’, and it’s so subtle that you wont think twice before you see the before and afters, which also makes you think that ‘everyone’ else has a perfect this or that.

I've been saying schools should teach: how to balance a check book, invest in the stock market, do taxes, apply for a mortgage, cook a meal and change a flat tire. Now working with younger people, they should teach how to address an envelope and where to put the stamp!! Ugh, I truly worry for the younger generations!! 😕😕😕😕

I’m really glad you mentioned about finding someone with knowledge and skills to do it safely. There’s so much risk with fillers (and same with tattoos, permanent makeup etc)that can be reduced by choosing carefully. People have really strong opinions on all these things but it has to come down to personal choice.

this is something ive never heard of! wow...messes with your mind, its crazy cos all the pics of the "before" look so nice!

Everything you said is common 👏🏼 sense 👏🏼 and i love you for voicing it!! Thank you!

I really appreciate your honesty about the facial work you had done. Also, you had mentioned in another video how exfoliation gets rid of texture and I grabbed onto that one!! I exfoliate now twice a week and many of my wrinkles have disappeared. Thank you , James!!

I am a HUGE fan of fillers! I lost almost 100lbs over the last year. As a result, my face looks saggy. The fillers makes me look better. I do them for myself!

THANK YOU for saying one of most annoying things is just love yourself and comparing it to depression and just smile!!!! It is SO Annoying!

💖Love these types of videos

LOL Mrs. Doubtfire! The thing that people have to remember is there is always someone who knows you and KNOWS you don't really look like the filter. I also always thought some of those "eye looks" looked awfully fake, but now the technology is so good, how would someone know whether or not a makeup artist's or hair stylist's portfolio is real, or if before and after skin care product is real? I really appreciate you showing us how to look out for this stuff to help our self image and to be more informed consumers.

I had my eyelids done because they were drooping and I had to really lift my brows in order to open my eyes more, I looked sleepy all the time and people think I'm falling asleep all the time. Sometimes there are just things you can't change without external help. I feel like if the procedure doesn't negatively affect your normal function it's fine and all, some small boosts on your appearance can do a lot of good in life. I totally agree "Just love yourself" is bull, they never tell you how, and the most difficult part of this is learning to love yourself.

as a 14 yr old (about be 15) there are barely any pics of me without a filter, your vids have been helping me a lot, i am able to be okay with a regular selfie from my phone camera i still use the snow app sometimes but not as much ^^

Hi James! Love your videos and was wondering if you'd ever do a video about cosmetic tattooing?! Either way enjoy your content!

I love listening to your commentary on issues like this. You are really well balanced and honest in your videos. Bravo 👏 I don’t give a shit what fillers or Botox anyone else has, it’s just not for me. I appreciate your honesty about what you get done. I’ve never felt mislead by your content because like you say, you don’t advertise anti aging products!

Interesting topic. Fillers vs non fillers. It’s personal. At this point in my life I say no fillers (for me) but I don’t think we have the right to judge those that do. I agree with you that if they are selling me a product then I do believe in transparency. A person having fillers won’t be “less” in my eyes. If having fillers is part of that persons’s journey for self care/self love, than carry on. Just be careful who you go to, this is one area that you don’t necessarily want to save money on.

When I was younger I had really really bad acne to the point I now have scars and marks that are like holes in my skin. Now I’m over the acne and have that under control after over 10 years and many many treatments (and your skin care help) I’m now eventually going to get filler and collagen in the marks to help them disappear. While I’m happy now not wearing makeup and you can see them and stuff when I had acne I hated myself and got bullied about it so the marks are almost a reminder of a bad time in my life so I do want them gone for that reason. I have nothing against fillers and think it’s a great thing you can change small things that you don’t like, just if someone asks don’t lie. I also do the teeth grinding thing and have built up muscle and am going to get the muscle relaxant thing, it was Steph Toms (I think) who made me realise it was a thing. I like how both you and her are so open. So thank you!

Thank you so much for this!! One year ago I had facial reconstruction surgery and my face has changed a lot! And now there’s things I’d like to get done, not because I don’t like myself, but because I want some more balance to my appearance as certain areas continue to change. Or to help the areas that wrinkled once my swelling diminished. I’d rather love what I look like by changes I’ve had say in than live with the dysmorphia I have from getting a medically necessary facial changes

i was so influenced by filters and retouching as a young teen when i was first getting into makeup (around 12-13). instead of starting with lip balm and maybe a little concealer, i started with full glam. it definitely affected how i viewed myself. i’m now 19 and although i love makeup (and i tend to wear pretty gothic looks), i don’t wear makeup 90% of the time and i’m still confident and i love how i look both with and without it

your videos are so visually appealing😭🙌🏼

yeah this is an interesting evolution in sociocultural expectations at the crossroads of technology and the beauty industry. i only hope that those of us struggling continue to talk about it, expose the double standards, educate & speak up. 💙

Yeah, I downloaded that app, tried it a few times and deleted it. I can see how that can really mess with your head and I don't think it's very good for my mental health!