Frequency Separation for Skin Smoothing

 

Steps:

1. Duplicate your background layer twice. Name the top layer "High Frequency" and the middle "Low Frequency."

2. Turn off the High Frequency layer. Select Low Frequency and apply Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur. Adjust until skin texture disappears but colors remain.

3. Select the High Frequency layer and turn it back on. Go to Image > Apply Image.

4. Set Layer to "Low Frequency," Blending to "Subtract," Opacity 100%, Scale 2, and Offset 128. Click OK.

5. Change the High Frequency layer blending mode to Linear Light.

6. Use the Lasso Tool (feathered) on the Low Frequency layer to smooth tones, or the Healing Brush on the High Frequency layer to remove blemishes.