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Stretchmarks

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Instagram is increasingly being told to take responsibility for the harmful effects of it's site on the mental health of young people.

Between celebrities endorsing weight-loss products which have no scientific backing, the NHS encouraging body-negative adverts to be banned, and the new sensitivity screens being put in place to prevent graphic violence and self-harm being depicted; Insta is a dangerous place.

Yet, we cannot deny that selfie culture and self-branding through social media has become just a normal part of our everyday life. Me, myself and Instagram has taken over, and young people growing up today assume it's perfectly normal to try to look perfect.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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It's so prevalent in society to share the highlights of ourselves and desperately emulate others who we assume have 'better' lives, which writers such as Matt Haig have emotionally discouraged.

FaceTuning images to blur seeming 'imperfections' such as stretchmarks, wrinkles, spots, freckles, teeth, smiles, body hair, even elbow wrinkles or unwanted curves is the new normal, according to our society.

Having flaws is deemed unhealthy, and the notion of 'narcissism' or vanity is no more.

Now Rankin is trying to counteract the idea of editing ourselves in a new photo series, and it's beautiful.

The amazing photographer is attempting counteract self-editing, by showing people just how damaging the effects of social media can be.  His photo series, aptly named Selfie Harm, was launched last week on Instagram.

The renowned artist captured portrait shots of 15 teens and handed power to them and their filter apps, asking them to edit the retouched image until they felt it was 'social media ready'.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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He commented;

“Social media has made everyone into their own brand. People are creating a two-dimensional version of themselves at the perfect angle, with the most flattering light, and with any apparent flaws removed.”

“This is a new, enhanced reality, a world in which teenagers can alter themselves digitally within seconds. Mix this with the celebrities and influencers flaunting impossible shapes with impossible faces and we’ve got a recipe for disaster," he attested.

The photographer shows images of youth and natural beauty which massively contrast with the newly filtered, edited versions. It's shockingly easy for the young models to blur the lines of reality, but what is 'perfect' in a world such as this?

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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He wrote on Instagram;

“People are mimicking their idols, making their eyes bigger, their nose smaller and their skin brighter, and all for the social media likes. “It’s just another reason why we are living in a world of FOMO, sadness, increased anxiety and Snapchat dysmorphia."

"It’s time to acknowledge the damaging effects that social media has on people’s self-image," he concluded.

The visible differences and changes made allow the teenagers and subjects to transform their entire identity, so much so that their natural state is completely erased. There are smaller noses, smooth complexions, wider eyes and lips, everything you can imagine.

Interestingly, the photographer notes that most of the models preferred their original image, but it's still disturbing to witness the power of filters. These edits can convince people that they're regular image isn't good enough to be seen.

It's becoming harder to discern what's real and what's fake; soon the idea of reality on social media could vanish altogether.

Feature image: Rankin Instagram/Fashionista

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In 2016, Victoria's Secret was praised for choosing not to digitally remove model Jasmine Tookes' stretchmarks during a shoot for the brand's Fantasy Bra.

The fact that the decision made headlines all over the world reminded us that when it comes to stretchmarks, society still has a long way to go before accepting that tiger stripes are part and parcel of millions of women's bodies.

Eager to play a role in the conversation, one Instagram user has chosen to celebrate stretchmarks by turning them into works of art, and Instagram has embraced the project wholeheartedly.

Sara Shakeel has used her social media platform to pay homage to the tiger stripe, and admits that she's been taken aback by the level of support shown to her project.

"I  have never felt so powerful & liberated and so f*cking proud of my stretch marks in my entire life. From where I come from & live, to be on the chubby side or to even talk about stretchmarks is not something one is proud of," she recently wrote.

 

I have never felt so powerful & liberated and so fucking proud of mystretch marks in my entire life !!! From where I come from & live , To be on the chubby side or to even talk about stretchmarks is not something one is proud of, i have seen my stretch marks grow from the day i started putting on weight, I'd be honest even before uploading it I was thinking why would anyone be interested in my concept of stretch marks turned into glitter or crystals!!! My god I was so wrong! Amazing people and women are already doing such an amazing job with representing these stripes and cellulite!!! Thank you for a beautiful response everyone!!!! I have been featured on @cosmopolitan & @yahoostylebeauty link is in my story. Support and love yourself for who ever you are! Cause there is someone out there sharing the same feelings as you are! There is one thing for sure YOU ARE NOT ALONE!!!#glitterstretchmarks #stretchmarks #happy #inlove #loveyourself #theweekoninstagram #instagram #tigerstripes . . This picture is by one of my amazing followers who was brave enough to share this with me!! Thank you love!!!!

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"I have seen my stretch marks grow from the day I started putting on weight, I'd be honest even before uploading it I was thinking why would anyone be interested in my concept of stretch marks turned into glitter or crystals."

"My god I was so wrong! Amazing people and women are already doing such an amazing job with representing these stripes and cellulite!"

 

Thank you everyone for the #glitterstretchmarks response and the numerous features of my artwork! The past few days have been unreal! Good and bad, but tbh I shall always look at the good side because nothing is more powerful then giving confidence to myself along with so many women and men out there! My hopes are unreal and so are my dreams! The stretch marks story will continue and I have so many other ideas and plans in mind. The artwork that I have made out of you are real! These picture that you see are REAL of REAL women with stretchmarks! Thank you for making #glitterstretchmarks a part of your lives. I love you all from the core of my fluffy heart. . CollageArt.SaraShakeel Photography @facesbycela . The next week I'll be super busy with my upcoming exhibition & an interview in my home country , my apologies if i don't post alot in the coming week.#love #loveyourself #lovemyjob #patientlywaiting #patience #hope #daydreaming #art #artwork #collage #glitter

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Women have been quick to approach Sara with images of their own stretchmarks in order to see their own body transformed into a work of art.

"The stretch marks story will continue and I have so many other ideas and plans in mind," Sara told her followers this week.

"The artwork that I have made out of you are real! These picture that you see are REAL of REAL women with stretchmarks."

Long may it last.

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Victoria's Secret was lauded in recent weeks after they released images of a model whose stretch marks hadn't been digitally removed.

And while the general public applauded the brand's decision to showcase women with the same physicalities as the rest of us, that doesn't mean everyone is as impressed by their own tiger stripes as they are Jasmine Tookes.

So, it's no real surprise that a tattoo artist who manages to conceal stretch marks with the help of a tattoo needle is currently blowing up Instagram.

Rodolpho Torres from São Paulo amassed a following of more than 1.2 million after he began uploading footage which documented his approach to stretch mark 'removal'.
 

As stretch marks are physical evidence the skin has been stretched due to weight gain, weight loss or pregnancy, Rodolpho can't magically remove them but instead matches his ink to his client's skintone before filling in the contours.

And while Instagram users may be fascinated by Rodolpho's technique, a dermotologist named Dr Doris Day has warned the public that this particular approach is not without its risks.

"The risk is, if a tattoo is done by someone who doesn't understand how to treat skin, you can end up with a scar, and a potentially worse problem, especially in an area that's already thinner and missing some of the essential elements of skin," she explained.

Something tells us his 1.2 million followers won't be deterred.

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Nothing send us on a diet and exercise guilt-trip quicker than clapping eyes on a parade of Victoria's Secret Angels.

And while we love nothing more than tuning into the annual fashion show, it takes a lot of positive thinking and frantic whatsapping with the girls to remember that these women are paid to look… well… as close to perfect as possible.

Considering this, it's heartening to see that the company – which uses some of the most beautiful women in the world to promote their lines – have released images that reminds us that these women also rock the same marks and bumps as the rest of us.

After the brand shared behind-the-scenes snaps of Jasmine Tookes modelling their Fantasy Bra during the week, the public realised that Jasmine rocked – wait for it – the same stretchmarks as the rest of us, and the company hadn't digitally removed them!

We know – we had to have a quick sit-down too.

Jasmine – the first black woman to model the Fantasy Bra in nine years – looked nothing short of breathtaking in the shots, and the marks on her bum did NOTHING to detract from that.

Whether the move was an intentional one on behalf of the brand or not is unknown, but that hasn't stopped fans of the model taking to social media to congratulate her for "proudly showing off her stretch marks".

Now, let us all take a moment to salivate over that underwear set.

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Chrissy Teigen gained a whole host of new fans last year when she uploaded a snap of her stretchmarks online and assured the public that her 'stretchies say hi'.

And almost 18 months and one pregnancy later, it looks like Chrissy is even more eager to share photos of her 'real' body with fans and followers.

Snapchatting a close-up video of her thigh last night, the Sports Illustrated model gave fans a tour of her thigh area, and wrote: "lol, my thighs have tributaries."

 

Hahaha @chrissyteigen showing of her thighs #sheisrealpeople #neverdoubtthat #chrissyteigen

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Thrilled by the star's candid assessment of her post-partum body, social media users have taken to Twitter in their drove to praise Chrissy's attitude.

"Shoutout to @chrissyteigen for being real AF and showing her stretch marks on Snap," wrote one. "YOU ARE A REAL HUMAN."

"Nothing like a Chrissy Teigen stretch mark snap to get me ready to take on the day," gushed another.

Chrissy for President.

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