Select the target layer from the Layers panel.
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Create, open, and import images
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Create and manage layers
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Color adjustment and fill layers
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Smart objects
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Create layer compositions
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Get started with layers
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Make selections
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Automatic and color-based selections
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Refine and modify selections
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Create masks
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Layer masks
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Layer masks
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Repair and retouch
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Remove objects and fill space
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- Retouch tools overview
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Clean and restore images
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Remove objects and fill space
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Adjust color
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Color profiles
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Choose colors
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Color modes
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Color corrections
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- Color adjustment basics in Photoshop
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Selective color adjustments
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Color profiles
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Text and typography
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Effects and filters
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Artistic and stylize filters
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Add video and animation
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Create animation frames
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Automate tasks
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Save and export
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Save files
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Export files to different formats
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Troubleshoot
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Quick actions
- Blur image backgrounds
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- Colorize old photographs
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- Remove JPEG artifacts from images
Apply the Dust & Scratches filter
Last updated on
Oct 6, 2026
Learn how to reduce imperfections in damaged or scanned images using the Dust & Scratches filter in Adobe Photoshop on desktop.
Soften imperfections while preserving edge details with the Dust & Scratches filter in Photoshop. This filter works best on isolated defects.
For heavily damaged images, apply the filter multiple times using layer masks instead of applying it to the entire image. The filter analyzes neighboring pixels and adjusts those that differ significantly.
For non-destructive editing, convert your layer to a Smart Object before applying the filter.
Select Filter > Noise > Dust & Scratches. Adjust the preview zoom ratio until the area containing the noise is visible.
Adjust the following sliders:
- Threshold: Determine how different pixels must be before they are affected. A value of 0 examines all pixels. Higher values preserve more detail but may leave some defects.
- Radius: Determines the size of the area the filter searches for dissimilar pixels. Start with a low value (1 or 2 pixels), and increase it only as needed. Higher values blur more of the image.
Preview the results in the dialog box and adjust settings until imperfections are reduced while maintaining acceptable sharpness.
Select OK.
Tip
For better control, apply the Dust & Scratches filter to a duplicate layer, then reduce the layer opacity or add a layer mask to reveal selected details from the original layer beneath.
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