Instagram's 'fix me' filter slammed for fuelling mental health issues

Instagram has been accused of promoting plastic surgery and fuelling mental health issues after releasing a 'fix me' filter in the UK.

The now-deleted filter edits Instagram users' images to show how a cosmetic surgeon might mark their face up for a procedure, including black lines where they would nip and tuck the person's face.

Including suggestions of fillers and brow lifts, the filter was quickly slammed for contributing to negative body image and promoting plastic surgery, accusations that aren't new for the social media platform.

"I'm sorry but why when fillers and surgery is so in demand and everywhere around young girls, would Instagram think it's appropriate to create a filter that makes your nose half the size and your lips twice as big??" one student said.

"This would have sent me into a tailspin as a teen," a Twitter user added.

Searching the terms 'Instagram plastic surgery' on Twitter results in hundreds of tweets from young women claiming the platform's filters have made them want cosmetic procedures, many considering lip fillers.

"These Instagram filters got me thinking bout getting plastic surgery," one tweeted.

"These Instagram filters have made me realize the amount of plastic surgery I need 2 enjoy my face," said another.

These comments only further concerns that filters on the site are furthering young women's poor body image and mental health issues.

The social media platform has since deleted the 'fix me' filter following complaints, however other filters that emulate the effects of plastic surgery are widely available on the platform's 'effects' gallery.

These include filters like the popular 'Holy Bucks' filter (shown above on its creator) that plump user's lips to mimic the effects of lip fillers, one of the most popular cosmetic procedures among young women.

Instagram has previously been slammed for contributing to plastic surgery among young women after studies revealed women who used the platform regularly were more inclined to undergo cosmetic procedures.

The platform has also been accused of promoting poor body image by hosting sponsored posts and advertisements for diet shakes, pills and programs – often promoted by influencers and celebrities.

However, last month Instagram clamped down on such posts, hiding some weight loss ads from under-18s while others were removed entirely.