We used to have a Sticky called "Doomed Internet Relationships". This thread belongs there.
I don't know about the whole online dating thing, but seems to me you would use a recent photo, if only to avoid all this kind of BS and the type of interaction that Cerby described. How embarrassing, both for that woman *and* for Cerby for having to deal with it.
If you are looking for a relationship, you want someone who takes you as you are. Or if you are ashamed of how you look right now (the only explanation I can think of) then *don't date until you are happy with who you are*. Otherwise you are just wasting some poor guys time, as well as your own.
Second thoughts can generally be amended with judicious action; injudicious actions can seldom be recovered with second thoughts.
--Cyteen by C.J.Cherryh