Australian fitness star Laura Henshaw has shared a grave warning about Instagram in a shocking video that highlights the danger of photo filters.

The 27-year-old Melbourne model, who rarely uses filters on social media, on Tuesday filmed a clip to show how filters can alter your face in the space of a second.

The footage, which opens on Laura’s unfiltered face before cutting to a filtered version, demonstrates how her features look smaller and symmetrical while her skin looks noticeably smoother immediately after the airbrushing tool is applied.

‘Isn’t it crazy we can change ourselves in under a second to someone else’s idea of what we should look like to look ‘better’?’ she wrote in the caption.

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Strange days indeed: Australian fitness star Laura Henshaw highlighted the power of Instagram filters in this before (left) and after (right) video 

Laura observed that almost every filter made her nose smaller, her lips bigger and her face smoother, which she believes strips us of what makes us ‘special and unique’.

‘Don’t compare yourself to the filters, you are so much more,’ she wrote, before adding: ‘Also, I know so many people use filters for fun and I totally understand – I am not sharing this with judgment or negativity.

‘[It’s] just as a reminder that we are enough as we are and to not let these impossible beauty standards define our worth.’

Laura (pictured at home in Melbourne) observed that almost every filter made her nose smaller, her lips bigger and her face smoother

Laura’s post, which has been viewed more than 148,000 times since it was uploaded online less than 24 hours ago, has been praised by her followers as the most important content they have seen on social media ‘for so long’.

‘This makes my heart truly ache. I didn’t even know filters like this existed. Thank you for sharing and bringing awareness. Being ourselves is simply enough,’ one woman replied. 

Others thanked the influencer for showing impressionable fans that Instagram photos are often not what they appear to be.

The Keep It Cleaner founder (pictured) has won praise from fans for her candid post

‘So thankful for you speaking up about this and being an incredible role model to young girls,’ one viewer wrote.

‘Such an important reminder! Skin has texture,’ added another. 

Some were shocked by how easily Laura transformed her face.

‘That’s actually insane! Not to mention quite scary,’ said one.