Comments on: Another Way Cosmetic Sales Advertising Tricks Your Brain

By: Kevin

Kevin — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 22:37:40 +0000

Being a manufacturer and marketer in this industry, I share the skepticism most people place in Before and After Photos. Most of the industry takes hundreds of pictures and cull the best results down to just the best one or two photos that paint the best picture. I think for B/A photos to work…all of them need to be published…which we do.

By: Jean

Jean — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 13:02:17 +0000

The Cosmetic Design article was not referring to the type of before and after shots we normally see – like the diet ad ones where you have to laugh because you can tell the after head was Photoshop-ed onto a different body.

For example the article referred to microscopic images of the skin before and after – kind of like topographical maps – where you can actually see reduction in the peaks and valleys, if a product works.

The Beauty Brains should appreciate that type of evidence!

I think such photos are compelling – if one can trust the people presenting them.

By: Sarah Bellum

Sarah Bellum — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 00:53:38 +0000

@Right Brain: My “mildly mocking tone?” WTF??? I was trying to pay Mid Brain a compliment! You and Lefty need to lighten up (several shades!)

By: Janis

Janis — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 17:33:05 +0000

Same as everyone else — I assume they’re fake, so they annoy me. I resent being treated as if I’m essentially stupid enough to fall for them.

As long as every single company uses them though, they aren’t a competitive disadvantage.

By: Courtney

Courtney — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 16:37:01 +0000

I always assume those Before and After photos are fake, so they actually turn me off. Also, I know that many of these ads use stock photos, because I use stock photo sites for work and frequently recognize the pictures! That’s a red flag right there!