Truth in Advertising

Photoshop on the chopping block?: AMA condemns touching up fashion photos

Could Photoshop be bad for your health?

According to a decision released this week by the American Medical Association, it just might be.

The AMA states in their release that ubiquitous images present a confusing version of reality for impressionable minds and Photoshopping images "can contribute to unrealistic expectations of appropriate body image." They link these unrealistic body image disparity with the rampant explosion of eating disorders developing in adolescents (mostly in young women) in the United States.

In response, the AMA suggests that ad agencies begin working with private sector child and adolescent organizations to create a workable set of rules on how ads are created and presented to the general viewing audience. (Whether these two organizations could get along well enough to work together is another matter altogether.)

A similar plan was proposed two years ago in France when parliament member Valerie Boyer suggested that all enhanced media images (including advertisements, press photos, political campaigns, art photography and product packaging) also come with a warning label.

The warning would be similar to the U.S. Surgeon General's Warning that appears on packs of cigarettes here in The States. The phrase, "Photograph retouched to modify the physical appearance of a person" would accompany each retouched image in bold print.

Fifty fellow members of parliament stood in solidarity with Boyer, and the French fasion industry quickly agreed to a charter to refrain from using images that promote "extreme thinness."

Would a measure like the one the AMA suggests fly here in the U.S.? Or would there be a backlash by photographers, models and Americans who are used to seeing our celebrities stick-thin and blemish-free?

"I think it's extreme to think we could change every image that is out there," states CultureMap Austin Photography Editor Jessica Pages. "Photoshop is part of the industry these days, as much as makeup and lighting. Stricter guidelines are understandable, but where do you put the limit on what is extreme and what is part of the artistic process?"

Absolutely, Photoshop has taken the industry to new artistic heights, but let's not forget the tragic missteps of Photoshop overzealousness as well.

Perhaps it is time for a refresher course for the media and Americans of what Photoshop was created for originally: bringing a subject more into focus, not creating works of fiction.

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The Wellness One Percent

2 Austin spas named among world's best by Condé Nast readers

Photo courtesy of Lake Austin Spa Resort

Lake Austin Spa Resort has reached the top of the list for U.S. properties.

Just in time for Austin's festival season comes a reminder to cool it and do some intensive skincare: Condé Nast Traveler readers have voted for their favorite spas in the world, and two Austin spots are on the list.

Lake Austin Spa Resort has been named No. 3 among the "Best Destination Spas in the US & Around the World," which was also No. 1 out of the American contenders. In the 2023 awards, it was second in the country, and it could continue moving up the ranks worldwide if it beats the Ikbal Thermal Hotel & SPA in Turkey, or BodyHoliday in St. Lucia — two very tall orders.

It is joined by Miraval Austin Resort & Spa at No. 20, the only other Texas resort on the list. There were 30 spas and resorts on the list overall.

Contributing writers from the magazine acted as reviewers to make sure the selections were covered in firsthand detail.

"Everything is centered on wellness," wroteLake Austin Spa Resort's reviewer, Texas contributor Allison Bagley, "from the exceptional spa treatments to the healthy cuisine and the stunning natural setting."

The 40-room resort looks Texan to folks who know what to look for — lots of mixed stone and timber construction, plants everywhere, and vaguely rustic interiors — but doesn't get cheesy with references to the Lone Star State. As Bagley points out, this isn't a place to pop over between errands, but a retreat from the city about 30 miles away.

Lake Austin Spa Resort's gently eclectic interior.Photo courtesy of Lake Austin Spa Resort via Condé Nast Traveler

The review also covered the expected stuff: a largely female clientele, a "cottage feel," a soft bed, and some of the spa's own products in the bathroom. But more amenities less central to the typical spa experience were also praised, including the room service menu featuring ingredients grown on site, guided stargazing sessions, and the approachability of classes by Paul, the yoga teacher.

"One of the pools is housed inside a barn — it's a striking setting," wrote Bagley of highlights that didn't fit neatly into the pre-determined review categories. "And I loved that the spa treatments use products grown on the grounds (wildflower and organic honey are used in the facial scrubs) and that some treatments take place in semi-open settings."

In a release, Lake Austin Spa Resort expressed gratitude and shared more tips about the property.

“Moving up from the #2 position to #1 is a true testament to the passion and dedication of our entire staff, who work tirelessly to create transformative experiences that have a lasting impact," said general manager JoAnn Lenhardt in the release. "We are sincerely grateful to Condé Nast Traveler readers for their trust and ongoing enthusiasm for our Texas Hill Country retreat."

In addition to Bagley's favorite things, the property also calls attention to its stand-up paddle boarding, cooking demonstrations, fitness classes, and a special treatment tool that's the only one of its kind in North America: a Comfort Zone Zone Skin Analysis Scan. It also shares four awards from 2024 alone, coming from Travel + Leisure, USA Today 10, Elle Magazine, and the Hotel O-Awards.

At Miraval, Austin-based contributing writer Stirling Kelso took note of similar highlights like a natural setting removed from the actual city of Austin, a focus on wellness, and Texas stone architecture. One big standout, although it might just be Kelso's clever turn of phrase that emphasized it, is the clientele.

Miraval Austin interior Miraval's stark, modern looks.Photo by James Baigrie, courtesy Miraval Austin via Condé Nast Traveler

Answering, "Who stays here?" Kelso writes, "The wellness one percent. This is where high-powered professionals come to detox, restructure, and take a break. You'll see men and women ambling around in robes and yoga gear. Note that cell phones technically aren't permitted except in dedicated zones, although we saw more than one person breaking the rules."

It also sounds — and looks from pictures — like Miraval is a more stark, modern experience than its Lake Austin competitor. The art is not of nearby flora and fauna, but abstract shapes and references to Eastern design. Kelso also points out that wine, beer, and cocktails are available, despite being rare at wellness retreats.

With both falling in the world's top 30, Austinites surely can't go wrong choosing either spa. More information about the selected properties, broken up into similar elements for easy comparison, is available at cntraveler.com.

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