By: Kristin Rotondo, Digital Editor and Scott Goodwin, Professional Photograher, Scott Goodwin Photography

Recently, we shot the before and after photos for Silk Therapeutics. When we began planning the shoot, the team stressed how important it was that the results be authentic. They didn’t want airbrushed beauties – they wanted real users showing real results.

It was critical that we had a standardized process for taking the photos so people could see a true side-by-side comparison. To begin, we started by asking real people to be our models. In order to show genuine results, we couldn’t start by using a professional model. And the process was the same for each person that walked through the door.

First, we had them wash off all makeup. From there, we took the before photo and gave them a treatment. Twenty minutes later we took the after picture. In every shot the model was head on to camera with no smile, so the angles and expression were the same. We also never changed the lighting. Most importantly, we didn’t alter the photos in post-production. The images we sent showcased raw results, not Photoshop magic. If someone had a blemish, it stayed on the screen (for better or for worse!).

In order to know you’re looking at a reliable set of before and after photos, it’s key to know the telltale signs of a fake. First and foremost, the photos should still have imperfections. Generally speaking, a photo without makeup smears or blemishes has likely been edited in post-production. When you look at a retouched photo, the model’s skin will usually look blurry due to airbrushing. The brightness of a model’s eyes is also a good indicator for how lighting may have been changed. A good rule of thumb – eyes should look the same across any set of skincare product before and after photos.

Ultimately, we want you to know that the results of the before and after photos we’ve produced are real and honest. Silk Therapeutics expressed how important it was to be transparent and the results demonstrate that. It’s real people showing real results.