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(post #75708)
Since I saw this image, I noticed how NeatImage preserve the edges.
Adjust brightness of edges nearly equal 0, then apply NeatImage with setting lowest fine tuner into 0. then you can get similar result.
I think the reason is that noise level of edges become 0, hence they can avoid filtering.

this idea can also amplifiy on other filters.
for example: dupe layer > filtering > reveal mask > aplply image from back ground (under) layer into the mask > manage tonecurves at the mask.

but it have one problem. if edges couldn't reach at darkest value, it have to get filtering :/ (you can see this problem on the post #75708)