Actress Margaret Qualley faced significant challenges while preparing for her role in the film "The Substance". During an interview on Josh Horowitz’s podcast, she revealed the toll that extensive prosthetic makeup took on her skin. The demanding nature of the prosthetics led to severe skin issues that affected not only her appearance but also the filming process. At one point, due to the extent of the damage, certain shots had to be adjusted to avoid showing her face. For instance, during a scene featuring palm trees and long lenses capturing her from below, her facial condition made it impossible to include her face in the shot.

Beyond the initial filming, the effects of the prosthetics lingered well into her next project. Qualley mentioned that her skin problems persisted as she transitioned into her role in "Kinds of Kindness", where she portrayed multiple characters. She embraced this challenge, using her post-prosthetic acne to enhance one of her roles. Despite the physical toll, she found a way to turn adversity into an opportunity for character development. Additionally, the transformation was not limited to makeup; Qualley also wore prosthetic enhancements to fit the director’s vision of an '80s bombshell figure. This required the use of specialized prosthetics that were meticulously applied by an expert team.

The dedication of both Qualley and her co-star Demi Moore highlights the lengths actors go to bring complex characters to life. Moore, who won a Golden Globe for her performance, underwent a similarly rigorous transformation involving exaggerated features to explore themes of beauty standards and their consequences. Both actresses endured challenging conditions, with Qualley describing the experience as being inside a "torture chamber" during the eight days she spent in full prosthetic makeup. Their commitment underscores the importance of authenticity in storytelling and the sacrifices artists make to deliver compelling narratives.