You’ve seen them everywhere: scrolling TikTok or Instagram and bam—before/after shots showing flawless skin in “after” frames. But are those transformations real? Or just manipulated illusions?

In today’s beauty game, the rules are changing. Over-touched edits are losing credibility, and honest marketing is winning attention—and wallets.

Let’s uncover how to edit before/after shots ethically, what not to do, and why transparency builds conversion.

Ethical Before/After Storytelling

Authenticity isn’t a trend—it’s a mindset. Gen Z expects realness and calls out fakery fast. A recent Vogue Business article calls this “radical honesty”, where consumers actively gravitate toward brands that speak openly—even about flaws—as long as it’s paired with action.

Lighting is refined, noise is reduced—but skin’s individuality stays untouched.

What Not to Do

Don'ts of Editing to ensure Honest Marketing

These are the “don'ts” of before/after editing:

1. No disappearing pores or freckle erasure—that’s deceptive.
2. No unrealistic lighting resets between shots—don’t swap gold-hour glow for harsh studio lights mid-frame.
3. No overnight miracle claims—you can’t shrink pores to movie-quality smoothness in 24 hours.
4. No hidden filters or smoothing plugins—if it feels “too good to be true,” it probably is.

Legally, the FTC warns that “claims in advertisements must be truthful, cannot be deceptive or unfair, and must be evidence-based”. Misleading visuals aren’t just unethical—they could be illegal.

Transparency Builds Conversion

Want metrics? Consider this:

Why? Because texture signals truth. Visible pores, authentic tone—these aren’t cosmetic quirks; they’re the emotional currency of relatability.

Admigos doesn’t hide texture. We frame it—letting audiences emotionally connect with real transformations, not manufactured perfection.

Subtle Visual Cues You Can Use

Here’s how to skillfully refine your before/after visuals without misleading:

These cues emphasise truth, not gloss.

Want Reliable Edits Without Misleading Effects?

Admigos hopes to shift the approach from polished illusions to meaningful storytelling. Here’s how:

Quick FAQ

Now, there might be questions arising in your mind, so let us answer those.

1. Q: Isn’t full smoothing just more beautiful?

A: Beauty and hyper-smooth are different things. Today's Gen Z wants an aspiration that feels reachable. Texture makes it real.

2. Q: What about heavy makeup transformations?

A: It's fine—if the makeup process is disclosed and the texture isn’t erased in edits.

3. Q: Can this scale?

A: Totally. Templates, consistent edit guides, and texture-first policy—set once, applied everywhere.

Final Takeaways: Integrity Meets Impact

Brands that edit with honesty aren't just following a trend—they’re building relationships.

Admigos can help you: