Fear of Aging—And the Search for the Look of Youth (Part 2)

It’s not surprising that people are preoccupied with losing their attractiveness as they age in this culture, given the current emphasis on youth, and the power of the media in spreading this message.

Although other worries, like fear of losing independence, or memory, or health and fitness dominate, according to a massive 12 country survey on this issue, fear of aging comes fourth in a 12 point list of worries aging people have.

The future, for some women (and some men) is tainted with a dread of aging as they turn 50 and 60 and begin to show signs of wrinkles and sagging skin. Instead of appreciating life, and honoring aging, they become fixated on reclaiming their youth, and many begin the long, and many times futile process of undergoing procedures to fix their perceived problem.

What people do to reclaim their youthful appearance is frequently extreme. Most of the procedures are painful, and expensive, since they are not normally covered by medical plans. Here are some of them:

plastic surgery

According to data provided by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, cosmetic surgery has seen explosive growth in the US. While some plastic surgery is reconstructive, done in response to injuries and disease, procedures that address physical attractiveness abound. These invasive operations add up to $8.05 billion, with these leading the way:

• nose reshaping ($1.1 Billion)
• breast augmentation ($1.08Billion)
• face lifts ($924 million).

Women account for most of these operations, with face-lifts numbering 119,004 operations for women, 12,102 operations for men.

It is likely that a successful operation may fulfill the promise of elevated self-esteem, but it is important to note that the dangers are real. Taryn Brooke, in a 2017 article for Cheat Sheet, warns:

“Despite the risks that come with any surgery, some plastic surgery procedures are more risky than others, especially those involving multiple areas of the body or surgery on very complex or sensitive areas. Here is a look at three plastic surgery procedures that put you at the most substantial risk of harm if you have them done.”

• body lift
• liposuction
• facial reconstruction surgeries, especially those affecting the jaw

botox

Botox is made from the bacteria that causes botulism, and blocks nerve activity in the muscles. Botox cosmetic is used to temporarily lessen the appearance of facial wrinkles. Although this treatment is considered less invasive than plastic surgery, the following warnings (among others) should be heeded:

The botulinum toxin contained in this medication can spread to other body areas and may cause serious side effects, especially if the patient:

• has a breathing disorder such as asthma or emphysema;
• has problems with swallowing;
• uses a blood thinner (warfarin and others) or has been treated with an injectable antibiotic;

dermal fillers

For this procedure, fillers, containing a skin plumping molecule, hyaluronic acid, are injected just below the skin, increasing in volume and appearing to plump up the facial tissue, smoothing out wrinkles and depressions in the face. They are seen as less invasive than botox, since the acid, diminished in older people, is found naturally in skin.

Fillers seem to be a promising alternative to botox, with technology continually coming up with new versions—one using a substance which mimics the peptide found in cone snail venom! These products claim effectiveness in diminishing wrinkles and lines without blocking visual muscle movement and resulting in the ‘frozen face’ look.

miracle creams

Facial creams are nothing new. They have been around for decades, promising to erase wrinkles and renew skin to its youthful state. Manufacturers of these products enlist celebrities to promote them,—but no one takes them to task for having no proof to support their claims, which today seem more far fetched than ever.

acupuncture and massage

Cosmetic acupuncture claims to be natural, chemical-free, and non-toxic. It is minimally painful, and leaves the client with a relaxed feeling. Because it works on the muscles under the skin, practitioners say it helps heal skin from the inside. Like facial massage, it leaves the client feeling good, but I haven’t discovered any research that confirms its effectiveness beyond the initial glow.

facial exercises

This is the only procedure I would recommend to date. Exercising the face seems radical, yet exercising the body is an accepted and proven way to tighten and strengthen muscles, with results that will last, if maintained,

Facial exercises are free and painless, and can be done at home. As with body strength training, however, they will work only if a regular regimen is maintained.

These exercises used to be a mystery, but today, many online sites offer this information.  I have found one study that supports its effectiveness. This research was recently published in JAMA Dermatology, and is included in an article by Honor Whiteman Jan, 2018, in Medical News Today.

Dr. Murad Alam and his colleagues at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago explain that as we age, the “fat pads” between the muscle and skin — which help to form the shape of the face — begin to get thinner, causing the face to droop. Senior study author Emily Poon elaborates:

“But if muscle underneath becomes bigger, the skin has more stuffing underneath it and the firmer muscle appears to make the shape of the face more full. Muscle growth is increasing the facial volume and counteracting the effects of age-related fat thinning and skin loosening.”

Facial exercises may lessen some of the drooping and sagging that comes with aging. Combined with a healthy life style, a positive outlook, and limited exposure to the sun, working on the face in this way is something we can do for ourselves. But most of all, we need to learn to accept age graciously, and reduce the stress that worrying about aging can bring!