In the early 2000s, the world became obsessed with all things anti-aging — products, procedures and practices. As the years have passed, this trend has also captivated the youth.
Brands market products that claim to remove wrinkles and give vibrant skin. Some believe in being proactive to reap the benefits early on, while others do not see any reason to use products before actually “aging.”
At our school, the majority of the students who shared that they were “scared of aging” said it was because they feared looking old. After all, to them, your age determines your beauty.
While only 2% of students said they use anti-aging products, almost 30% shared they were scared of aging.
Furthermore, many students linked physical signs of aging to responsibility, health issues and death. Many brands exploit these fears by promising their product will not only eliminate wrinkles but also make you feel better about yourself.
In the movie “Tangled,” her hair possesses magical powers that are immediately taken advantage of to gain youth. Her mother desperately wanted vitality, and in our society, you can also see an obsession for youthful appearances. Starting from a young age people are obsessed with staying young despite its costs, financial or otherwise.
Many can feel pressured to change their appearance because of targeted marketing. Ads feature people looking upset and wrinkled and then with a “magic” product, they are happy and wrinkle-free. Similar to Rapunzel’s oppressive tower, anti-aging traps us.
While I don’t see anything wrong with caring for your skin and body, youth has become hyperfocused on anti-aging and has given it more influence than it deserves. Most products haven’t been proven to reduce aging, and they prey on people’s insecurities. Those same products and marketing strategies keep us obsessed with surface-level natural changes.
In “Tangled,” the princess eventually breaks out of her tower and feels free, no longer held back by the constraints of staying youthful like Mother Gothel.
If we free ourselves from unrealistic aging standards, we can free ourselves from the pressure of fighting time.
