Since its advent, social media has always shaped how others see us. But more recently, it has begun to shape how we view ourselves—and how we want to be seen.

Filters no longer simply brighten a photo or soften lighting. They now reshape faces, narrow noses, enlarge eyes, lift cheekbones, soften skin, and so much more. And the image staring back at us isn’t a wholly unfamiliar face. It feels familiar—just slightly improved.

Some of us have started to believe those filtered images are our true selves, even more than what we see in the mirror, while others begin to wonder what’s even real.

Filter dysmorphia, also known as “Snapchat dysmorphia,” occurs when the edited version of your face starts to feel more familiar than the real one. It’s a slow-burning version of body dysmorphia that comes from within, reshaping your sense of normal, beauty, and self-acceptance.

While it isn’t yet officially classified as a diagnosis, many mental health professionals see its impact in therapy sessions, especially among teens and young adults who have grown up in a digitally altered world. It’s not a concern about vanity; it’s a concern of perception.

When filtered images dominate our feeds, they quietly reset our understanding of what a "normal" face looks like.

When filters first came out, they were just for fun or to make slight improvements. But since 2018, Snapchat dysmorphia has gained attention as filters have become increasingly realistic. And now, especially with AI, filters have gotten very good at altering just enough that even the user doesn’t know what they actually look like.

Unlike traditional beauty standards that may feel distant or unattainable, filters show you an idealized version of your own face. Because of this subtle enhancement, the real you starts feeling like a........

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