Before and after images have always been at the top of the list when it comes to what people look at when considering getting whitening injections. However, it’s no longer enough to just compare two photos side by side. The lighting, camera settings, makeup, skin care, filters, and angle of the face can create a drastically different look than the actual results.
A before and after is useful as it will help you identify how the skin has changed, rather than making you think that something dramatic occurred in just one night. Consistency, skin tone, pigmentation, overall brightness and how skin looks after a period are the most important factors in the evaluation of whitening injection results. By knowing what to look for, you can assess results better and decide upon a treatment plan that actually reflects improvement, not a photoshopped photo.
Read this guide to learn more about how to judge before and after pictures of whitening injection results.
Compare the Same Lighting and Camera Conditions
One of the biggest factors that can alter the appearance of the skin in a before and after photo is the lighting. The light can make the skin look lighter or darker. Ideally, a good comparison should be done under the same lighting, distance, angle, and camera settings. Your face should also be photographed without heavy makeup or other products that could change the appearance of the skin. If the “after” image is very much brighter than the “before” image, it will be hard to see how much of the difference is attributable to the treatment. Thus, regular photos provide you with a lot better understanding of the skin’s appearance.
Consider Overall Brightness, Not Just Skin Shade
The effect of whitening injection should not just be based on the judgment of whether the skin looks several shades lighter or not. What is more relevant to consider is whether the complexion looks brighter, fresher and even overall. Therefore, pay special attention to flat or textured sections. Ask yourself, ‘Are the skin tones more even? Are darker areas less noticeable? Is the complexion brighter?’ This is important because a good result does not necessarily mean a lighter skin shader. The aim is to get a balanced result that enhances your natural skin tone and addresses the problems you wished to correct.
Ensure The ‘After’ Photo Isn’t Taken Too Soon
The timing is an important aspect of any beauty treatment. A picture taken immediately after the treatment might not portray the actual final result. Temporary differences in the appearance of the skin may be due to hydration, redness, lighting or other temporary differences. For this reason, an after photo taken at a suitable follow-up time can be of more value than the actual outcome.
When reviewing before-and-after photographs, ask when the second photograph was taken. Moreover, when comparing a pre- and post-treatment image, comparing a baseline photo to one taken after the recommended treatment time period is much more insightful than comparing the skin just before and just after an appointment.
Look for Consistency Across Multiple Sessions
A single photo isn’t enough to tell you everything about a treatment. The best method to judge whitening injection outcomes is to assess progress over a treatment plan. For instance, pictures taken before treatment, in the middle of the treatment, and after the planned treatment sessions can demonstrate that the improvement is happening gradually and steadily. This also helps to differentiate between real changes and lighting or photography changes. After all, it is important to remember that every person reacts in a different way and there is no one single appearance that should be everyone’s goal. The only thing that is important is that the treatment offers your expected results and improvements.
Be Careful with Dramatic Before-and-After Differences
Some radically changed photos may be attractive, but you should look into how they were made. Significant variation in lighting, exposure, application of makeup, filters, camera equipment and editing can alter the look of skin. After all, making what seems like a minor adjustment, like standing closer to a window, can make the complexion look much brighter. However, this doesn’t mean all amazing before and after images are scams. This just means you need to take a close look at photographs. A believable result will result in a picture that shows improvement but still maintains a natural look and complexion without the two pictures appearing as two entirely different people.