Remove bags and blemishes from portraits using the patch tool in Photoshop

Remove bags and blemishes from portraits using the patch tool in Photoshop

Under eye bags and skin imperfections can detract from otherwise stunning portraits. The patch tool combined with the fade command offers a quick, effective solution that preserves natural skin texture while eliminating unwanted blemishes.

This technique works by selecting problem areas and blending them with cleaner sections of nearby skin, creating seamless results without complex retouching skills.

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Video by PHLEARN. Any links or downloads mentioned by the creator are available only on YouTube

Practical Tips

Master these essential techniques for natural-looking skin retouching with the patch tool:

  • Always work on a duplicate layer to protect your original image from permanent changes
  • Select problem areas slightly larger than the actual blemish for better blending results
  • Match skin texture by sampling from nearby areas with similar characteristics, not distant regions
  • Use the fade command (Shift+Cmd+F) at 50-60% opacity to make corrections look more natural
  • Press Cmd+H to hide selection lines while working so you can better see your results

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