In Advertising, Don’t Believe All Of The Pictures Of Acne You See

Although the thought of looking at close-up pictures of acne may make you cringe, it is good to know what real acne looks like so you can see that you are not alone. But many before and after pictures of acne sufferers who use a “miracle product” are not to be studied so carefully.

Tremendous Tricks

If you’ve seen a single science fiction movie, you know that just about anything can be faked. When British singer Peter Gabriel hit the stage for the 1993 Grammy Awards, he wore a very convincing muscleman outfit. Peter has, in real life, a very normal physique. But because the suit blended so well, many people did honestly believe had suddenly been doing a lot of working out in between the albums So (1986) and Us (1992). Peter – who off stage looks like a college English professor – and his fans were greatly amused at people believing he had huge muscles.

However, this little incident shows what P.T Barnum said – “There’s a sucker born every minute”.

Before And After?

Many anti-acne products feature their sad customers before they used their product and then pictures of the same customers now smiling and glowing because they used the product. Before and after pictures of acne sufferers are a staple in anti-acne advertising. Don’t believe one picture of acne patients you see in any advertisement.

Make up can fake acne. Digital technology can give pictures of acne-laden cheeks to faces that are, in real life, clear as a bell. They can also do the reverse.

In the “before” pictures of acne patients, the subject is frowning or sad, wearing frumpy clothes and slouching. The picture is purposefully meant to exaggerate how bad someone can look.

Contrast this with the “after” pictures of acne sufferers. They are smiling, standing straight, wearing the latest fashions, and often the “after” picture is much bigger than the “before”. Even without the use of Hollywood make-up artists or computer tricks, basic camera tricks that have been around since Eadweard Muybridge photographed a galloping horse in 1878.

What To Do?

If you want to learn about acne, talk to your doctor, dermatologist or go to one of the many accurate websites that have real pictures of acne and their real treatments. Treating acne takes time and some changes in your diet and hygiene, not by using one specific product – even if it is on sale for a limited time only.