Before and After Photos: The Real Deal or Manufacturer’s Stock?

Before and After Photos: The Real Deal or Manufacturer’s Stock? Before and after photos are often the first thing people look for when choosing a beauty service provider. It’s easy to scroll through Instagram or a website and be mesmerized by flawless skin transformations, perfect jelly mask applications, or wrinkle-free smiles after laser treatments. But have you ever stopped to wonder, Whose results are these? Are these the service provider’s actual results, or are they stock images provided by the manufacturer? This is where things get a little controversial. Here’s the truth: Many beauty businesses, particularly those offering device-based treatments like lasers, microneedle, or microdermabrasion, are handed a shiny portfolio of before and after photos from the manufacturers of their devices. These are professional, carefully staged photos designed to sell you the dream of flawless results. And while it’s great that these images show what the device can do, there’s a huge gap between those polished stock photos and the real results a service provider might achieve with their own clients. At Pampered Aesthetics, I’ve always believed in transparency. Sure, my laser supplier gave me a whole album of before and after photos to use for advertising—but I’ve never used them. Why? Because those results aren’t mine. If you’ve followed me for a while, you know I’m the aesthetician who forgets to get either the “before” or the “after” shot (sometimes both—sorry!). But I’d rather that than use photos that don’t reflect the work I’ve done with my own hands. A perfect example of how important it is to know where images come from is a comment I received from one of my amazing, loving clients. They noted that the application and removal of one of my jelly masks didn’t look as seamless as the ones they’ve seen in other Instagram videos. I giggled to myself because most of those perfectly smooth applications? Company-provided content. Jelly masks are amazing, but let’s be real—they’re also a pain in the arse! Sometimes they peel off in one glorious, smooth piece. Other times, they drip and goop like they have a mind of their own. I take pride in the fact that what you see on my social media is real. My successes, my struggles, and everything in between. I’m not interested in showing off a perfect result that I didn’t achieve myself, and I think my clients appreciate that honesty. Sure, the content might not always be polished, but it’s mine. It’s a reflection of what I actually do in the treatment room, not a polished version of someone else’s work. This applies to more than just jelly masks. Whether it’s laser treatments, facials, or any other aesthetic service, I firmly believe that the results you see should be authentic to the provider. It’s easy to be swayed by perfection, but the reality of beauty services is that results vary. Some days everything goes flawlessly, and other days you might be struggling to peel off a stubborn mask. That’s part of the journey, and it’s one I’m proud to share with you. So, next time you’re browsing before and after photos, take a moment to consider: Are you seeing the real results of that service provider, or are you being sold a dream by the manufacturer’s stock images? As a client, it’s important to know the difference, and as a provider, it’s crucial to be honest about the results you achieve. I get it—perfect photos sell. But at Pampered Aesthetics, I’m committed to keeping it real with my clients. The content I share is a true reflection of my work, whether it’s a flawless jelly mask peel or a dripping, goopy struggle. That’s what you’ll get from me—honesty, authenticity, and a whole lot of heart. When you see those before and after photos from me, know this: It’s all mine, for better or worse. Signed, the aesthetician with the goopy, dripping jelly masks!