Are we a society that values youth over beauty? If results from a recent survey of Cosmetic Surgery & Beauty magazine readers are anything to go by, then it appears that yes, we are.
The study discovered looking younger was the main motivation for 68 per cent of participants to get cosmetic enhancement, while 52 per cent said it was to look more attractive. It was also found that 80 per cent of respondents believe cosmetic enhancement can make them look younger, with 60 per cent believing it can shave up to and beyond 10 years off your looks.
But maybe survey participants weren’t separating youth and beauty, but rather seeing it as being correlated. A factor pointing to this is results showing zero per cent of respondents in the 50s felt extremely satisfied with their overall appearance in comparison to 100 per cent of women in their 20s being either satisfied or extremely satisfied.
According to the study, the number one area of concern was loss of volume, followed closely by fine lines, deep wrinkles, pigmentation, loose skin and dark circles beneath the eyes. Young women were predominantly concerned by the emergence of fine lines, loss of volume and dark circles.
The readers’ concerns with ageing were also witnessed through their at-home skincare regimes, with 82 per cent using cleanser, 91 per cent moisturiser and 88 per cent sunscreen on a daily basis. Just over 50 per cent had purchased an anti-ageing product in the last year.
While I’m still a bit undecided where I stand on getting cosmetic enhancement, I would definitely choose anti-ageing reasons over getting something done to look more attractive. Removing lines and wrinkles seems a lot less daunting than changing the shape of your face.
If you had to choose between the two, would you opt for cosmetic enhancement to look younger or more attractive?