50 Times Instagram Clashed With Reality In The Funniest Ways

People are altering images of themselves to appear more attractive. And they are not doing a good job

Damjan

• Published in Funny
• October 6, 2024

People have always enjoyed looking their best, and thanks to modern technology, achieving that "perfect" look has become easier than ever.

With just a laptop and a basic understanding of photo editing software, anyone can take an image and tweak it endlessly—enhancing features, smoothing out imperfections, and transforming their appearance to fit societal ideals of beauty.

The possibilities are limitless, whether it's slimming down, brightening skin, or adjusting lighting and angles.

However, while the ability to modify photos opens up creative freedom, it has also given rise to some serious social and psychological concerns. The impact of constant exposure to edited, often unrealistic images, especially on platforms like Instagram, is an area of growing concern.

With this context in mind, we’ve gathered some of the most striking examples of people taking image editing to the extreme in their attempts to appear more attractive. From over-smoothed skin to comically distorted backgrounds, these photos highlight just how far some will go in pursuit of an unrealistic standard of beauty.

But here's the fun part—not everyone is a pro at Photoshop. In fact, many of these edits are so poorly done that they end up being more funny than flattering.

So, get comfortable because you’re about to dive into a gallery of some of the worst photo-editing fails on the internet. From hilarious mishaps to cringe-worthy attempts at perfection, these images are bound to make you laugh out loud.

Make sure to upvote the worst offenders and share your own thoughts (or even your own experiences) in the comments section below! Whether you're here for a laugh or to reflect on the impact of beauty standards, there's something in this list for everyone.

Why do we care so much?

She Posted Both Of These Herself 💀

“Everyone’s Airport Crush”

This Lady Pops Up On My Fyp All The Time

That's Gonna Be A Left Swipe

Found On Fb Marketplace

"I Don't Edit My Body Or Face" Is This Body Confidence Influencer's Claim To Fame

This Makeup Artist’s Before And Afters

My Waist Is Also The Size Of My Hand

What Am I Looking At?

Found In The Wild

Self Proclaimed Dutch Model, Instagram (First Two Images) vs. Reality (Last Two Images)

But Why?

Saw An Old Friend At The Gym (Right) And He Wanted A Picture, This Is How He Edited It

All Posted In August

Apparently These Are The Same Person

The Birkin Isn’t The Only Fake Thing Here

Mom, I'm Scared... (Last Pic Is Reality)

I…no Words

This Is Just Disturbing. Jail

Amazing

I Usually Have A Hard Time Noticing When Someone Edits Their Pictures.. But Now..😅

At Least Try To Make It Believable

Instagram Versus Podcast

This Just Does Not Look Right

Are We Scared Of Aging Now?

Why The Lines Around Her Bum Never Look Straight

When You Edit The Face And Forget You Have A Body Underneath It. And Don’t Get Me Started On The Hair Wispie

I’m Screaming

Influencer Claps 👏 Back 👏 At Someone Calling Her Out On Her Filter Usage

Not Photoshopped - She Just Worked Hard For It

An ‘After’ Of A Weight Loss Transformation

Freeze All Motor Functions

Biggest Hands Known To Mankind

This Girl Is Always On My Fyp Constantly Talking Down On Other Women, But Her Waist Is A Different Shape In Every Pic/Video LOL

I Can’t Believe Almost Everyone In The Comments Believes This Is Real (Tw Possible Pro Ana Content)

So Realistic! So Believable

How Do People Think This Is Real???

Found In The Wild

This Is Surely Something

Not Sure If She’s Been On Here. But That Chin Could Cause Deep Wounds

I Found One In The Wild!

I Am Freaking Lost For Words Here

Not An Usually Type Of Post, But Saw This On Tinder And Had To Post It😂😂 Look At The Oven

Every Picture Of Hers Is Highly Edited. This Is The Worst So Far

Unrealistic vs. Reality

Photoshoped Photos vs. Filtered Videos 🫣

Comments Call Out User For Filtering Their Video

This 40 Year Old Who Swears Her Photos Aren't Edited

Legs For Days

Instagram vs. Reality 🤯

Studies have shown that excessive use of Instagram—where users frequently post filtered and highly edited versions of themselves—can have harmful effects, particularly on teens and young adults.

Researchers are finding links between heavy Instagram use and increased risks of depression, anxiety, body image issues, and low self-esteem. The pressure to look "perfect" online can be overwhelming, and the comparison to these altered realities only adds to that stress.

Damjan