Google Photos rolls out new quick touch-up editing tools

Google Photos is introducing new touch-up editing features that allow users to make subtle enhancements and refinements to portraits, the company announced on Monday. The update is designed to give users more control over facial edits directly within the app.

The new tools can be used to remove blemishes, smooth skin texture, brighten eyes, whiten teeth, and adjust other facial details. Users can access these features by selecting a face in a photo and choosing from a set of editing options, including heal, smooth, under-eyes, irises, teeth, eyebrows, and lips. Each tool includes adjustable intensity controls, allowing edits to be fine-tuned rather than applied automatically.

The feature is rolling out gradually worldwide and is currently available in the Google Photos app on Android devices with at least 4 GB of RAM running Android 9.0 or later.

With this update, Google appears to be aiming to keep users within its ecosystem for photo editing, reducing the need to rely on third-party editing applications for similar enhancements.

At the same time, researchers and mental health experts have long cautioned about the potential downsides of frequent photo retouching. Studies have suggested that constant editing of personal images may contribute to negative emotions, reduced self-esteem, and body image concerns, particularly among younger users.