Aging can be scary, but TikTok's latest trend is a reminder that it can also be a gift. A viral new filter called the "aging filter" gives you a real look at what you'll look like in the future, and it makes users emotional in the best way.
Get ready to meet an older version of yourself. The effect, which went viral since mid-July, uses artificial intelligence (AI) to transform young TikTok users into mature adults, changing their hair color, wrinkling their skin and causing their faces to sag. If you're someone who hates aging, the filter might be quite jarring at first, to be honest, but many users choose to ignore the shocking transformation and embrace the future. To use this effect, just search for "aging filter" on TikTok and click the "Use this effect" button. The filter will then create a split screen so you can see what you look like now, and what the app thinks you'll look like in the future. You can also click to cancel the split screen and keep only the aging effect.
People are clearly keen to get a glimpse of their future, because as of July 19, the filter has appeared in 14 million videos, and the related hashtag has been viewed more than 114.8 million times.
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Creator @ohthatjenny was one of many users to test the filter, and her response to her reflection was filled with grace and kindness.
"If I were lucky enough to meet this old lady, I would be so proud of her," the creator wrote.
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Meanwhile, @liyacarly is already imagining what her future self would be like, writing: "She looks like the kind of lady who makes you eat the last cookie." Wow.
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One of the reasons this filter makes such an impression on users is because it reminds them of the most important people in their lives. For example, TikToker @carlyrowena was skeptical about the filter at first, but ended up having a very sweet emotional reaction to the person she was becoming.
"POV: You're scared to try this filter only to catch your mom staring at you," the creator captioned the video, while smiling at her reflection.
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@Daniarribere had similar feelings about her transformation, writing: "I look like my grandma and I think she is the most beautiful woman." I didn't cry, I just had something in my eyes.
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Creators also use filters to predict what their future with their partner will look like, like former single Hannah Brown did with boyfriend Adam Woolard.
"I wouldn't mind growing old together," the 28-year-old wrote in the adorable video.
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If this filter makes you excited to meet your older companions, you'll be happy to know that many experts praise its accuracy. User @injectorlina, who works as a cosmetic injector in Arlington, Virginia, claims the filter is "very accurate" because of the way it depicts volume loss and skin thinning.
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Although we've been conditioned to fear the effects of aging, the process is actually very beautiful. With new virus filters, we can now understand our future selves before we become them.
