Photoshop Discouraged By American Medical Association

The excessive use of Photoshop has become such a hot topic that the phrase "photoshop fail" has become incorporated into the fashion industry lexicon (in fact, it's one of our favorites to use).

Now, Jezebel reports, the problem has finally gotten noticed by the American Medical Association, which has adopted a new policy against the altering of photographs "in a manner that could promote unrealistic expectations of appropriate body image."

In a press release, the AMA describes how the altering of models' bodies in advertisements (as well as in fashion editorials and certain, ahem, Ralph Lauren ads in which "a model's waist was slimmed so severely, her head appeared to be wider than her waist") leads to unrealistic ideas about body image, particularly for "impressionable" children and teenagers.

The encouragement of such unachievable body standards has been linked to the eating disorders and other health problems for kids and adolescents. The AMA's recommendation is for advertising associations to work with children's health organizations on guidelines that discourage the use of Photoshop and similar photo editing software.

While not the most forceful policy, the AMA's new stance is a step in the right direction. Whether it will actually discourage Talbots, Ann Taylor, Victoria's Secret, Dolce & Gabbana and just about every magazine ever from airbrushing the hell out of its models -- well, that remains to be seen.

Think the overzealous use of Photoshop isn't a problem? Or just get weird pleasure out of passing judgment on the worst Photochopping jobs? Take walk down memory lane with these memorably bad airbrushing moments.

(Via Jezebel)