Not long ago, we were asking ourselves when it was appropriate to start using anti-aging products. Now, it seems we have moved onto “prejuvenation”, a term which refers to undergoing cosmetic procedures like Botox and facial fillers before signs of aging appear on the skin. This trend which combines prevention and rejuvenation is particularly appealing to younger women in their 20’s and early 30’s who are taking skin care to the next level.
Not happy to limit themselves to traditional topical treatments that are the cornerstone of any good anti-aging routine (sunscreen, antioxidants and retinoids), young millennials are not waiting for signs of aging to appear before going on the offensive. A survey by the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery recently noted that the youth and celebrity-obsessed culture of young adults want immediate results with little or no downtime. A decided shift has occurred from “corrective” procedures to “preventive”.
With access to an endless stream of Instagram photos, young adults are bombarded with images that do the disservice of presenting an unattainable level of perfection. No longer are we as a society happy to age gracefully. In fact, many of us are unwilling to age at all.
Looking and feeling our best, taking steps to maintain a healthy body and feeling good about the skin we’re in are all honest and honorable goals. However, perpetually holding back the hands of time seems to be an unnaturally heavy burden to carry. Undergoing cosmetic procedures, along with the possible health risks and undeniable costs, is a personal choice. The pitfall is that the ageing process continues, even when we can’t see the signs on the face. And once you discontinue the treatments, you may notice that your skin will revert to its natural stage of ageing in a surprisingly short amount of time.
