Q. I recently went out for brunch with two of my lady friends who are in their mid-80s. After looking at their beautiful faces, I realized that at 87, I was the only one at the table with lines. I earned every one of those lines. Can you comment on this flawless trend? — I.R.
A trend indeed! Our Western society is obsessed with a youthful appearance. This is not a new desire. We know that exposure to idealized images of women can lead to believing one’s physical appearance is just not good enough. This is all for the sake of beauty as defined in different periods of time and cultures.
Here’s a brief historical perspective. Plato (427–347 BC) viewed beauty as an ideal form that reflects the divine and the good, connecting the soul to the eternal and an ideal world. Aristotle (384–322 BC) defined beauty in a more orderly way as harmony and proportion that conforms to certain rules of symmetry while eliciting pleasure in the observer. The more modern philosopher Immanuel Kant (1724–1804) proposed beauty as a subjective feeling of pleasure with general agreement on what is beautiful. And from an evolutionary perspective, Charles Darwin defined beauty as having the purpose of a biological function playing a role in sexual selection.
How you look seems to count. According to the Journal of Clinical Medicine, facial skin aging is the biggest indicator to others of perceived age. Flawless skin seems to be the ideal and has been referred to as the most universally desired human feature.
So, what are the influences that define beauty, and what are the consequences?
Advertising. This is one of the most powerful forces that shape our perception of beauty. “This is particularly true for women, who have long been the target of advertising messages that promote narrow and often unrealistic standards of beauty, femininity, and gender roles.” Consistent exposure to idealized images of women in advertising can have a negative psychological impact. Women may experience something called self-objectivation. It’s when one treats one’s body as an object evaluated on appearance only, ignoring internal feelings and capabilities.
In response to this negative impact, a pro-aging movement of skin care has evolved. Allure, an American beauty magazine, announced that it will no longer use the term “anti-aging.” Dove launched a pro-aging campaign to emphasize inclusiveness. And now companies are advancing the pro-aging mantra with pro-aging day cream, a pro-aging defense kit, and ads for pro-aging skin care.
Social media. This medium also significantly impacts the perception of body image, particularly on visually driven platforms. They reinforce an unrealistic beauty standard with idealized and edited images. AI certainly plays a role.
Work environment. Workplaces typically have their own set of norms, with many applying to age. According to AARP, age discrimination continues to create obstacles to getting hired, despite older job seekers reporting less of their age-related information. And about two-thirds of employees surveyed have seen or experienced age discrimination in the workplace. Again, facial skin seems to play a role in suggesting one’s age as perceived by others.
So, let’s talk about facial wrinkles, also known as character lines.
Many celebrities have publicly embraced their wrinkles, such as Brooke Shields at age 60 and the late Diane Keaton at age 79.
We have made some progress on the acceptance of wrinkles as part of normal aging. Yet cosmetic procedures remain popular. For example, according to a statistical report from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, about 2.5 million people in the United States received Botox injections in 2022, or about one per cent of the U.S. population. And an estimate of the skin care market in 2025 was roughly $35 billion.
Genetics and lifestyle have an impact on how we look and how we age. We can’t do much about genetics; we can do something about the latter.
Here are some well-known tips for healthy skin: don’t smoke, avoid excessive alcohol, limit sun and ultraviolet exposure, and stay hydrated, just to name a few.
And what’s the best advice? Just do what feels right for you.
Stay well, everyone, and smile; it reflects your inner and outer beauty. That’s more than skin deep. And know that kindness is always fashionable … and beautiful, too.
Note: Appearance is also important to men. But that’s another story.
Helen Dennis is a nationally recognized leader on issues of aging and the new retirement with academic, corporate, and nonprofit experience. Contact Helen with your questions and comments at Helendenn@gmail.com. Visit Helen at HelenMdennis.com and follow her on facebook.com/SuccessfulAgingCommunity.