Canadian influencer Spencer Barbosa has taken to Instagram to reveal the stark difference between her filtered and unfiltered selfies, calling out the unrealistic standards promoted on social media. The 21-year-old, who boasts 2.4 million followers, posted side-by-side images showing how a few taps on her phone can completely transform her appearance.
In the unfiltered photo, Barbosa appears natural, while the edited version features a full face of makeup and a wide smile. Her message was clear: don't believe everything you see online. She urged her followers to stop using filters altogether, claiming it has dramatically improved her mental health.
Barbosa wrote: 'My life completely changed the day I decided to stop using filters. I didn’t realise it but even little things like using the “beauty” filter on my TikToks were destroying my mental health and body image. The fact that it’s even called the “beauty” filter p*sses me off.' She encouraged others to try going filter-free for a few days, promising they would notice a difference.
The post has garnered over 142,000 likes and a flood of supportive comments. One fan said: 'Yes! I do not use filters. I think it's so damaging for self and others viewing.' Another added: 'I quit using filters years ago. It absolutely destroyed my confidence and gave me extreme body dysmorphia... It’s the best decision I’ve ever made.'
