The Truth About Cosmetic Procedures

September 04, 2020

By Tricia Cusden

In so many ways I am glad that I was born in 1947 rather than fifty years later. Aside from the very many challenges of being in one’s early 20s right now, is the ever present pressure to look a particular way, especially in selfies for posts on Instagram and Facebook.

I have just watched a television programme on BBC1 called ‘The Truth about Cosmetic Procedures’ in which a young girl paid £575 for a liquid nose job. To you or me she looked perfectly fine with a nose that was neither too long, short, fat or thin. But her nose had a tiny bump in it that cast a small shadow on one side, so the doctor wielding his syringe convinced her that an injection to iron out the bump was the very thing to make her look better in photos. Ten minutes of slight discomfort, job done and she’s £575 poorer, he’s £575 richer and everyone is happy!

I usually avoid programmes like this because they make me cross (as you may have already sensed!) but I was interested in this one because it was headed up by Dr. Michael Mosely and his approach tends to be scientific, objective and evidence based. My interest was therefore piqued and I decided to watch to see his conclusions about facial treatments and the truth or otherwise of their claims. The programme set out to answer three questions:

Do invasive cosmetic procedures make you look younger and more attractive?
Do they impact physical health?
Do they impact mental health?

The programme investigated four of the most common cosmetic procedures to determine whether they actually worked as promised and whether they were safe.

1. Dermal Fillers

These are seen as everyday, harmless and practically every young person interviewed on the street for the programme either had had such a procedure or knew someone who had. The effect lasts from six to eighteen months and is designed to ‘plump’ areas like lips and cheekbones to create the big ‘trout pouty’ lips and sculpted face shape beloved of the Kardashians. To create the effect, hyaluronic acid in various degrees of firmness is injected into the given area to create the padding. As hyaluronic acid is a naturally occuring substance in the body, there are very few allergic reactions to the fillers themselves. The danger comes from the fact that literally anyone is legally allowed in the UK to inject these fillers into another person’s face. No training is required and there are no safeguards. You may be unsurprised that such treatments can go badly wrong with excessive swelling and bruising, especially to the delicate lip area and an organisation set up to help victims called ‘Save Face’ knows of five cases of blindness caused by fillers injected accidentally into blood vessels with devastating results.

2. Lasers and Micro-Needling

Two female volunteers for the programme agreed to test these procedures which are both designed to wound the skin and create enough trauma that new skin and new collagen is created. Both are therefore moderately painful. The lasers use heat which leaves the skin very mottled with reddish brown patches and within days there was excessive flaking of skin. With micro-needling, the facial skin is pricked all over with tiny holes which bleed so that the skin is red, bloody immediately afterwards, and sunburnt looking for about a week. Subsequent tests showed some effects, however the micro-needling only showed marginal gains in collagen production. The laser showed a greater benefit but also had more side effects. Neither treatment showed much difference in the actual appearance of the skin. Asked if she’d pay £300 again for her treatment, the volunteer who’d had the laser treatment said ‘No, I’d not go through all that pain for no discernible result.’

3. Botox

This is a multi-billion pound industry and like dermal fillers, is entirely unregulated and very widely available. It works because Botox paralyses the muscles which work your face - so your face takes on that ‘frozen’ immobile look ubiquitous nowadays on TV. The programme showed a young builder who has regular injections into his forehead to prevent the potential wrinkles from forming. And there’s the rub; Botox used to be promoted as a way to reduce or eradicate existing wrinkles and now, because there is no regulation and no minimum age requirements, children as young as 13 (I kid you not) are apparently getting Botox in the hope that they will never become wrinkled, or maybe they are deluded enough to believe that this will actually prevent ageing of any kind. The problem is that no-one knows whether prolonged use of Botox is potentially disastrous for the face. Paralysed muscles atrophy through lack of use - just as they do after illness if you are bed-ridden for several weeks. This facial muscular atrophy is irreversible and as Dr. Moseley said ‘probably isn’t a great idea’.

4. Stem Cell and Fat Injections

This was the most invasive, the most scary and, at £6000 the most expensive cosmetic procedure investigated by the programme. Fat is ‘harvested’ from your own body in an operation in which you are heavily sedated. The stem cells are separated out and injected back into the face at points where smoothing and plumping are required alongside the fat as appropriate. At the same time the bones of the face are ‘scratched’ so that this trauma stimulates bone growth, the loss of which overtime contributes to the ‘sunken’ look of an older face. I have to admit to watching this through my fingers as it looked quite violent and extremely unpleasant. However the woman undergoing the procedure pronounced herself delighted with the results. As I might have done if I’d just paid £6k for something as painful looking as she’d just submitted herself to!

The Final Results in Objective Tests...

I am fairly sure that all the people who seek these cosmetic procedures and part with their hard-earned cash will defend their right to do so and also claim that the treatments have had a beneficial effect on them in one way or another. And who am I to say otherwise? However I was very interested in the final part of the programme which sought to answer the following questions:

Do others find you more attractive after the procedure and do they rate you as any younger?
What impact do these procedures have on how you feel about yourself?

A random group of people were firstly asked to evaluate the ‘before’ photographs and then the ‘after’ images of people who had undergone various cosmetic procedures. The result was a ‘very modest’ increase in attractiveness in the ‘after’ photographs, but also a sense that they’d all moved closer together in looks, so had lost some of their individuality and personality. Overall the perception of age had shifted downwards by an average of just two years. In terms of personal outcomes and satisfaction with their cosmetic procedure - this was much higher with everyone saying that they felt better about themselves after their treatments. However the tests also showed an increase in preoccupation with their looks and a greater likelihood that they would want further treatments to maintain the improvement or to seek further treatments to enhance their looks.

As all of you who regularly follow this blog will know, I have always had a deep personal aversion to all such cosmetic procedures, although I understand why people seek them. This programme confirmed all three major concerns I have with this extremely lucrative industry:

The first is that here in the UK these procedures are entirely unregulated. As a consumer you have no protection in law if the procedure goes wrong and you are left with permanent damage. I could set myself up tomorrow as a practitioner and start charging to inject dermal fillers and Botox into peoples’ faces and no-one could stop me from doing so.

The second objection I have is the profoundly ageist premise on which all such procedures are based. No-one seems to question why they are deemed to be so obviously necessary. There would be no market for these costly and invasive treatments if normally aged faces were seen as both acceptable and beautiful. Why are we not more horrified that so many people are disgusted by the thought of a few wrinkles?

And finally I object to the claims that are made for such procedures. As was shown in this programme, people who have such interventions look neither younger nor more attractive. Maybe I am just showing what an old fogey I am, but I really am so glad that I’m too old to fall for the notion that happiness, confidence and good looks are to be found in a syringe of something that freezes all normal facial expression and makes everyone look more similar - and actually a bit weird.

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75 Comment(s)

Clare

Oct 03, 2020 01:59

I, too, am glad that I am not a young woman now. I've been having some sessions of lymphatic drainage massage on 'roller' machines, and have been saddened to meet so many young women there who are using the massages to help them recover from extensive liposuction and similar procedures. These girls are young and attractive, yet are spending huge amounts of money and undergoing quite traumatic procedures, and some of them are struggling with the fact that the procedures have not worked as they hoped and recovery is slow. It is such a shame. And don't get me started on the current eyebrow trends!

Helen

Sep 30, 2020 05:04

I fully agree with you Trish. Why do you want to look like a robot? No expression and no smiles and just look like you have just arrived and have no knowledge of anything?

i am like you glad I am old enough and wise enough not to have any of this stuff. Thank goodness for
you and your LFF range. With these I can look good and still look as if I have been around for a while and enjoyed my life!
Thanks Trish you cheer me up with your blogs.

Rosemary

Sep 13, 2020 05:41

Very wise words!! Especially scary for those who are quite young and not yet confident in their own skin...

Linda Pearson

Sep 13, 2020 02:56

Couldn't agree more. Pushing 70, female, mixed race and educated. There are times when I feel like I am invisible and if I express an opinion - how dare I. Not that it stops me, am blessed with friends with a similar outlook.

So sad for my female grandchildren, the need to be perfect with very limited vision of perfect terrifies me. They are beautiful individulals as they are. Think the media has a lot to answer for especially a certain American TV programme that I believe is coming to an end.

Winifred Kemp

Sep 13, 2020 01:26

I totally agree. As a teenager I was convinced that I had an ugly nose! Years later I realised that I no longer thought about it. Now at seventy seven, I actually like my face, despite some scars from removal of several small skin cancers. I take care of my skin , ignore any wrinkles and smile!

Mary Rotton

Sep 08, 2020 05:56

Dear Tricia
Interesting blog and quite a controversial S bjevt matter.
Personally l think it is a money making subject and really should not be supported it seems some of these procedures are quite dangerous as well delicate as these operations can go horribly wrong if not done properly.
And you need to have loads of money in order to pay for these procedures.
Not for me at all
Mary Rotton

Lynda

Sep 08, 2020 04:57

I suppose actresses have 'work' it to get more acting work, especially on television which is very unforgiving.I think the situation is improving but it is still the case that men with very 'lived in' faces are more acceptable than women who look similar.It is a very visual world we live in and a lot of the the images that we see have been manipulated. Although we know this at one level at another we can lose confidence, especially if we have other difficulties in our lives.

Marie Alexander

Sep 08, 2020 02:03

I couldn’t agree more with you Trisha. Looking around at some young actresses, some young girls and some older women, I feel they are all morphing into the same unattractive look. Stepford Wives always comes to my mind. It’s not a look I would ever want now or in my younger days and fortunately my three girls (all in their thirties) agree with me. Vanity gone complete mad, in my opinion!

Irene Parfect

Sep 08, 2020 01:21

I would never get any procedures done as no one really knows the long term effects that can be done. A case in point is that of the actress Goldie Hawn who looks terrible now after all the procedures she has had done over the years.

Ann Smith

Sep 07, 2020 02:45

Entirely agree, why are so many people obsessed with appearance? I saw a very well known singer and actress on the tv some time ago who was asked her age and when she said it the audience applauded. As she had not a wrinkle on her face I wondered who they were applauding, her or her plastic surgeon!

Judith Finley

Sep 07, 2020 01:39

I totally agree but from a slightly different standpoint. I have had to undergo several medical procedures throughout my life for the benefit of my health, and the thought of putting myself through anything like this just for my vanity makes me shudder.

Having said that I do find it very troubling that so many young people seem to take this all in their stride as if its normal and they need to look a certain way. I think this all stems from a lack of self esteem, which seems to be rife thee days, and surely we should be looking to help them with this rather than letting them take such risks. (Personally I think some of the lip work young girls have done is awful and really spoils their faces)

patricia

Sep 07, 2020 00:14

Hello Tricia I also saw that programme (through my fingers in parts!)and I am the same age as you. I am equally glad that I dont have the pressure to undergo these 'procedures' which seem at best unpleasant and at worst very painful.

Chris Gilbey

Sep 06, 2020 18:23

I too watched this programme and was horrified at times - just grow old gracious fully and with the help of LFF makeup - not a problem!

Jan Smail

Sep 06, 2020 05:50

I was born in 1939 when no one had even heard of cosmetic surgery.We were
hardly aware of dieting let alone cosmetic procedures.Some people were fat,some thin,some pretty,some not so.The less attractive often made up for it in personality.
I find it sad that the young are so obsessed with having a perfect face or a perfect body.What matters so much more is who we are.Also age doesn't just show in one's face but in the way we move & hold ourselves,our attitudes &
even the way we talk.
As an amateur artist I love painting portraits but who do I want as a model -
not the young girl with a flawless face but the older person whose life shows in his or her wrinkles & expression.That is the beauty I look for.

Sara

Sep 06, 2020 05:43

Please add my name to the long list of total approval of your sentiments, Tricia. The lack of regulation is scary to say the least. We’re I ever to consider any such procedure (and that it about as likely as pigs flying) that very fact would have me running for the hills.
Agree too, why should age be so despised? What a dreadful comment on our society. No problem with trying to look well, or any temporary enhancement of nature, via the right make up, but the fetish of chasing youth, via such unreliable means is surely doomed from the start. I echo others’ plaudits for the Judi Denches and Maggie Smiths of this world; great women, whatever their ages. Article on Jane Fonda in Saturday’s Guardian, great but..... a little too much surgery to hold together with her other views. Perhaps the Hollywood demands were responsible? Possibly, given what we know about how the system treated (and still treats?) women.

Nancy

Sep 06, 2020 05:33

I too hate the ridiculous assumption that we all need to be “fixed” as we show signs of getting older, often with these expensive, dangerous methods. I see hope in the emergence of older women as models and spokespeople who have gray hair and wrinkles and beautiful smiles just like their younger counterparts. As people like Trisha continue to promote good nutrition, exercise and self-care as the way to grow old and how beautiful aging really is, my hope is that beautiful older people of all shapes and sizes will be admired. We need to be the examples!

Pauline Smith

Sep 06, 2020 05:32

Hi Tricia.....like you, I watched this programme and my husband did too, albeit begrudgingly. However, he became as morbidly fascinated as I did, watching what lengths people will go to (and expense!) to look "younger". I was particularly horrified by the young woman who had cellulite and the practitioner she went to, "cured" this by slicing through what looked like tendons, although they weren't, under the skin to release them in order for the skin not to be crumpled. Her face said it all, even though there was local anaesthetic, but at the end she said it wasn't too bad....she may want to look at the film again! We are all human beings and like machinery, we use ourselves every day, so you will not always look young, no matter what you do. Time stands still for no-one and there has to be an acceptance of this. I was born in 1948 and don't look too bad, I don't think, considering! Good luck to those who want to spend fortunes, but I think they could be more fulfilled and happy, spending their money in other ways.......that's just my opinion though! Always love reading your blogs, watching the videos etc., especially during lockdown! Kind regards. Pauline

Sep 06, 2020 05:30

That was an interesting article Tricia, given that I know hardly anything about the types of cosmetic procedures you mention and that they can be done by anyone---quite frightening. As you can guess I didn't watch that programme.
Any lines on my face are a sign that I've lived, and enjoyed, an interesting life and hope to continue for many more years to come. So glad I was born in the 40's.

Carol Merry

Sep 06, 2020 04:57

Hi, I too watched these programs and could not see very much benefit from the procedures shown. A lot of money spent for very little effect is my opinion. However, I have had cosmetic surgery myself, to great effect. This was 9 years ago and I have never been sorry that I had my eyelids and the area underneath them reduced. My eyes were extremely hooded and the area underneath puffy and baggy. I have photographic evidence which shows the improvement made through expert surgical skill. I was fortunate enough to have the money to spend and over the next few years I saved regularly to reimburse myself. A very worthwhile experience. Of course it would not be for everyone and I have no intention of having anything further done. Oh, I am 72 in December. As for the idea of trying to look as young as possible - my mantra is to look as good as possible with the raw material (me) and the products (my 'paint') I have available. Then smile, be happy and animated and no-one will notice the wrinkles. Best wishes Carol

Jill Simpson

Sep 06, 2020 04:54

Well said, Tricia. My thoughts exactly!

Maureen

Sep 06, 2020 04:43

I had to stop watching the prog, it was all rather pathetic I thought. They should’ve been offered counselling not surgery
I’m rather proud of my wrinkles. To me they are the sign of a life well lived often naughtily well lived. And I’ve loved every minute of it

Lizzie

Sep 06, 2020 04:40

I so agree! We need to teach our children and grandchildren to grow old gracefully, and value the journey taken to become who we are and look as we look. My youngest daughter has a very healthy view of her beauty, and sees no need for make-up... In fact she questions me when I wear it saying "Why do you need it? You're beautiful already

Carole

Sep 06, 2020 04:12

It is a sad testament to a society which has been so influenced by the cosmetics and fashion worlds that people are so focused on appearance being "youthful" to be attractive. To me, a person's face is part of their "life map" and should be embraced as reflecting character and experience. There can still be a sparkly eye and ready smile which are really important to confirm someone's well-being. Superficial appearance cannot possibly compete with inner peace or confidence.

Lynda

Sep 06, 2020 04:11

I watched the programmes but skipped large parts because it was too cringe-making or annoying. The young presenter looked quite alarming for a start. Women have always tried to improve their appearance and whilst I would be too afraid to undertake these procedures myself what I think about them is really irrelevant. What does concern me however is the training or lack of it of the people who provide treatments and the unsubstantiated claims they can make. As another contributor says, how on earth has this industry escaped regulation? It is critical to press for that to happen and soon. The culture that has promoted the growth of this business is not going to change anytime soon. I feel a profound sadness for both young men and women that they are caught up in such a cynical acquisitive & exploitative environment. They are very vulnerable and the fact that most of them have the strength of character to resist it is something to be celebrated.
How many of us who take an 'old & proud' approach to ageing are as confident as we think? I note how often being taken for younger than you really are is greeted with delight! Where we draw a personal line between 'maintenance' or 'looking the best you can' and having botox or fillers etc. is interesting. I dislike my ageing face in it's natural state and make-up is a way of disguising the worst of it. By doing this I'm on the'nursery slopes' which could end up in 'work' if I felt it would be safe and effective. You would not have many customers Tricia if we all accepted the reality of our bags and wrinkles as a positive thing!

Joanna

Sep 06, 2020 04:08

What a lovely comment - and so true!

Chris

Sep 06, 2020 03:43

Oh how I agree with you Tricia, people who have had fillers etc in my humble opinion look absolutely dreadful and I fail to understand why they think it improves their looks, it’s a sad world the youngsters live in if this is what they are striving for in a bid to look better x

Lynne

Sep 06, 2020 03:01

I agree with you too Tricia. I find this current trend for excessive eye lashes, eyebrows and worse of all the trout very sad. It’s sad that young people all want to look identical and it’s also sad that it’s an unlicensed business with potentially catastrophic results. I suffer from a neurological condition affecting my eyes called belephraspasm which is the involuntary closure of the eye lids and excessive blinking. The spasms can cause functional blindness. Every ten weeks I have eight Botox injections into the muscles around my eyes, administered by a Consultant in a hospital. It’s quick, but not pleasant. I definitely wouldn’t willingly have Botox after it was initially explained to me that basically it is a dangerous compound going into my body, but for me the only available treatment. I hope that as younger people age they can start to celebrate their bodies and be more confident. I love mine, it is perfectly imperfect. Keep up the good work Tricia xx

Jane

Sep 06, 2020 02:58

Dear Tricia
You have just summarised all I feel about this industry. Like other contributors I see it as another example of ageing being "unacceptable". This may be going slightly off piste but my particular bug bear at the moment is a Kelloggs advertisement which is about a child and their experience of lock down and then going back to school. Granny is portrayed as not having the intelligence to unmute the conversations they have. Now I am sure young and old we have done this. What would have been lovely would have been if Granny could have been portrayed as really getting to grips with the technology which I am sure many of us have done. Mistakes and embarrassments happen at any age. Of course there have been many older people who have struggled because the world has changed. I remember that for my first job the University computers were so large they were housed in a separate building! However, that doesn't mean we are incapable of change. Kelloggs should look, for example, at how you have run Tea at the Ritz and your Zoom meetings! Rant over. Love reading your blog on a Sunday morning. Thank you.

Marilyn

Sep 06, 2020 02:43

Thank goodness for people like Judi Dench and Maggie Smith - still getting acting jobs because they are good at it despite their age and their faces presenting a 'well lived' life'!! Katie Piper and Simon Weston have shown that what you're like inside is more important than exterior looks - I'm quite sure neither of them wanted to have their cosmetic surgery!!

Julie Ellis-Davies

Sep 06, 2020 02:11

I thoroughly agree with you. It is such a shame that so many young people have this urge to have these treatments. Social media has a lot to answer for. I also feel somewhat disappointed when I see actresses on tv who have obviously had ‘work’ done - why?! I think most women feel that our faces represent our life experiences and should be celebrated. I don’t think men notice as much as we think they do, in fact they are more likely to make comments such as “something doesn’t look quite right with her”. I also agree with your comment about one treatment leading to another. I used to work as a dental nurse in an orthodontic practice and it was not uncommon for girls & young ladies to come along wanting the tiniest of gaps closed, very minor crookedness (often barely noticeable) sorted out. If it proved impossible to convince them that they were fine as they were you could bet your bottom dollar their treatment would be a nightmare - constantly fussing about this, that and the other. Then when they finally reached the end they’d be off having them bleached to the most ridiculous & unnatural whiter than white colour, or still not happy with some aspect they’d find some dentist who’d agree to put veneers on them. Just all so sad and unnecessary.

Marion

Sep 06, 2020 02:08

I couldn’t agree more! I have never - and I mean never - understood the obsession of wanting to look younger. For much of my professional life it seemed my contributions were undervalued because I was ‘too young’ (and I’m sure also because I was a woman) - then suddenly I’m expected to want to look younger? What is the advantage? Looking younger doesn’t give you the energy of a younger person (possibly the only thing I miss!) does it?
And like you Tricia I worry about the society these pressures are creating

Lynn Nadjarian

Sep 06, 2020 02:06

Tricia, totally agree with you. The pressure from social media, mags, all round for todays young women is relenting. Anyone who doesnt have self confidence and strong mental health will be prey to these leeches! There needs legislation n rrgistration of the these practitioners. When I think back to the 50s n earlyin 60s when I was yoing, no body self confidence at sll. Its taken half a lifetime to cometo to terms with and be comfortable with my body n face!

Patricia Wilson

Sep 06, 2020 02:00

I too watched these programmes . I was not horrified as I knew these procedures were available, to be administered in some cases by unqualified people. I was, however astounded that someone would be daft enough to spend all that money on something which makes so little difference. It is usually obvious for procedures such as fillers to be spotted, as you say,Tricia, they morph into a certain 'look'. I actually find this look ugly. It's a very strange world we are living in. I am also very glad to have been born in 1947.

Kathy

Sep 06, 2020 01:50

This is so sad - but in a world where older people are so often neglected and marginalised, is it any wonder young people are terrified of any sign of ageing?

Janice

Sep 06, 2020 01:49

It is very sad that younger and younger people are feeling the need to inject themselves with all sorts of weird stuff. My hairdresser (who is 22 and very naturally beautiful) told me that most of her friends, who are already pretty have had lip augmentation, botox and fillers. What a shame to forfeit the natural beauty of youth with potentially harmful substances and procedures. It does lead to this very 'strange' and 'freakish' look, almost clone like look. The problem is that once a person goes down the route of botox, fillers, etc they quickly become dissatisfied with other parts of the face and the quest for a certain look (certainly not a natural look) becomes ever greater and obsessional. I blame a certain celebrity culture and fixation on youth. What is far more important than our exterior is what we are inside. Qualities such as kindness, generosity and happiness do far more to increase a persons real beauty than injecting substances into our faces

Carol Bain

Sep 06, 2020 01:44

I used to watch the programme 10 Years Younger and love to see the finished results. All be it that the subject was usually a person who needed radical dental work etc. However, I would be terrified to under go any of these treatments in case they went terribly wrong. I would far rather just make the best of what I am. Last year whilst on a union course there was a lady who had obviously had work done on her face. I couldn't take my eyes off her albeit for the wrong reasons. I'm sure she probably looked so much better prior to the treatment. So for me it's a no no.

Marcia Cook

Sep 06, 2020 01:31

It makes me very sad that people feel they have to go through these terrible procedures to feel more attractive. A face that develops naturally with age develops a certain character which can disappear when treatments happen that make the ‘wearer’ look somewhat false, not to mention the pain that is suffered. It is worth remembering that expression from a smile and the eyes reflecting the inner person, is more important than getting rid of wrinkles. Following the advice given by people such as Tricia, a healthy lifestyle with good food and cleansing routine, will do more for the skin than any filler.

Hannah Ward

Sep 06, 2020 01:29

Refreshing to read this. I too watched the Dr Mosley programme. As a Psychoanalytic Psychotherapist, I have seen at first hand the underlying causes of low self esteem and feelings of worthlessness that lie behind the drive to be noticed. The main beneficiaries are the cosmetic industry as you say.
It’s a great privilege to watch patients over time and after coming to terms with some very painful insights into their early life, develop into warm, more contented individuals, happier with their body as well as their mind.
Self acceptance and self care promoted by yourself is a very welcome and much needed in the cosmetic field.

Charlotte

Sep 06, 2020 01:21

A thoughtful article Tricia and one which echoes my own feelings on any cosmetic procedure. I have never understood the drive some people have to look forever eternal. I have always had the mantra ' Grow old Gracefully' and believe it is not how someone looks but what they are like as a human being that matters more.
I was horrified when my sister had eye surgery when she was in her early 30's but she has always been wrapped up in her 'looks' and I don't believe it has made her any more attractive, now in her sixties, than I!
I have also discovered, recently, my 40 year old daughter started having Botox injections last year. We had 'words' about this and she dismissed my fears as to having this 'poison' injected into her forehead as groundless. Words fail me Tricia as she has been brought up to believe that to be 'vain' about oneself is shallow.
I have always looked after myself both in what I put into my body, the exercise I take to be healthy and always make the best of what I have been born with. I wear make up for myself and since discovering your fabulous site and make up, have been wearing bright lipsticks with regularity!
I love older faces with their experience of life, showing they have lived.
I look on younger, unlined faces all with their ridiculous eyebrows, pouty lips etc and feel sorry for them.... plastic dolls I think of them.
The thought that people are turning to these procedures, which are unregulated, and the horrors when things go wrong makes me feel very concerned.
Where have we gone wrong, as a society, when we have members of it believing these procedures will make them something they are not.
I personally think the fashion industry has a lot to answer for with stick thin models as the 'norm' and these young, unlined and 'perfect' faces ( many only young teenagers) people being held up as role models.
Something has to change!

Mandy

Sep 06, 2020 01:20

This article reminded me of the old series ‘Hot in Cleveland’ starring the fantastic Betty White. In one episode Joan Rivers guest stars as her older sister. I felt so sad looking at her over-manufactured face alongside the beautiful, natural Betty White. The mental health issues relating to this are worrying.

Maurer Ford

Sep 06, 2020 00:55

I agree with everything you have written been a lady of the same age as yourself !! a few lines show we have lived and are still doing so and we can make the most of ourselves and still look glamorous at whatever age

Marion Rapson

Sep 06, 2020 00:47

I didn’t watch this particular programme but, much as I sometimes despair at the lines on my face and crepey skin ( shudder!) , I am too scared of what could go wrong and have better things to spend my money on than any of these procedures.
I do wish I had appreciated having a young, unlined face and a body that although far from perfect in shape was definitely firmer and smoother than the one I see now in the mirror.
Who was it that said “Youth is wasted in the young”?
Another fascinating blog Tricia, thank you.

Jackie

Sep 06, 2020 00:46

I usually watch programmes with Michael Mosley for the same reasons you do Tricia but gave this one a miss. Some of these procedures make me squeamish. I feel some of them are good for people with disfigurements but not just as everyday, expensive treats. We are all different and there’s nothing wrong with that. Most of us have some features we’d like to change but they’re what make us who we are. We’re not clones.

Gloria Herdsman

Sep 06, 2020 00:41

I think I would rather keep my wrinkles I have earned them, some people have more money than sense it’s bad enough when you Have to have operations done though bad health with out having needles stuck in you unnecessarily . On a brighter note I love reading your articles keep it up and stay safe.x

Yvonne Warner

Sep 06, 2020 00:40

OMG I’m glad I missed that one. I was going to catch up but Think I’ll give it a miss!
Yes you are right regarding the young and cosmetic procedures. You look at youngsters sometimes and think “why do you do that to your face?” I saw a girl the other day who would have had a pretty fresh face but her lips were so plump that she looked like a gargoyle.

We cruise quite a bit with an American cruise line and I’ve been quite sad with some of the ladies faces and even hair. One lady we recently traveled with who was in her 70s but her hair and clothes were more suited to her teenage granddaughter. She’d also had work done to her face, especially cheekbones and lips, which looked bizarre. She was a lovely person and I just thought “why have you done that”? Her husband hadn’t had anything done and was trolling about on a mobility scooter!

It’s sad that people feel that they need to be enhanced or look much younger to be accepted. Is it social media? Some of the most beautiful people are those who are happy in their own skin and look stunning what ever age they are.

And don’t start me on tattoos...........

Adele

Sep 06, 2020 00:36

Thanks for this.
I missed the programme.
It does sound painful
Wonder if there would be much difference in appearance if instead of spending money on procedures people had A few good nights sleep, and a decent holiday

Roseanne

Sep 06, 2020 00:32

I couldn’t agree with you more Tricia! My mother is 92 and has aged so gracefully and has always accepted that there is absolutely nothing one can do to halt the process. So - one might as well get on with it, remain interested in all that is going on around one, and to keep mobile. I feel extremely lucky to have her as an example and am,hopefully, following in her footsteps! I certainly don’t feel 68 and am always met with incredulity by those much younger when they discover my age .....
It is so sad to see young girls with “trout” faces. As you point out, they lose all personality and I think look ridiculous too. What a sad plastic world our First World is!!!

Lorraine Roe

Sep 06, 2020 00:28

I would like to comment on stem cell procedures.
I had a stem cell transfer by a highly qualified surgeon in 2018. The procedure was done under twilight sedation to obtain fat from my abdominal area to procure my stem cells. The procedure was not for cosmetic reasons. I had been hit by a car two years before, had multiple injuries and was in high levels of pain and my mobility was impaired. After the liposuction I was taken to recovery and an infusion of my stem cells was prepared as well as five vials for direct injection into my damaged spine and knees. I had the infusion and injections and had two more injections of my stem cells over the next two months. My pain levels were greatly reduced and my mobility improved significantly. I did not now need spinal or orthopaedic surgery. I had one vial of stemcells left. I asked the surgeon what he thought about injecting them into my face. He said he could but I would not see any difference. He told me he had done it once on a patient who insisted on the procedure and it had no positive effect. This surgeon has been researching stem cell therapy for over 12 years.

J Hall

Sep 06, 2020 00:26

I totally agree with Dr Mosley and yourself about these cosmetic procedures.This industry is still unregulated and allows anyone to give potential life changing treatments in the belief that it will enhance or change their appearance. So many times things go wrong Lesley Ash actress with a severe allergic reaction to too much filler being added to her lips. The social media fascination and promotion of “social media celebrities “ promoting their body dysmorphia as how we all should want to look! Now the unscrupulous preying on young teenagers just to make money. We should all accept our flaws and age naturally.There is a place for cosmetic treatments in Botox for individuals who excessively perspire.
Having worked in the industry as a nurse I am and remain shocked and saddened that people do not realise the damage they are doing to their health by constantly having these procedures.The addictiveness and body dysmorphia long term usage of these treatments does and the financial cost I.e getting into debt to pay for these treatments.

Lynn

Sep 06, 2020 00:23

I didn't see the programme, but there is no way I would want cosmetic surgery. I also do not want to 'grow old gracefully', if that means not trying to make myself look good. Of course I want to look as good as I can for my age, which means I intend to use my LFF makeup every day, take care of my hair, and try to be as stylish as possible, a healthy diet and regular exercise are also on the bill. You expect an older person to have a few wrinkles, they shouldn't be thought of as bad, and something we must do all we can to eradicate. It is the stage of life we are at, embrace it, be thankful, enjoy the time of our life now, instead of trying to turn the clock back. We have all been young with flawless skin etc., but we are now the oldies, walk tall, be proud and feel blessed to have made it to old age. Cosmetic surgery .... no way ....cosmetics .... of course.

Eileen Allen

Sep 06, 2020 00:19

Hi Tricia,
I too started to watch the programme for the same reasons you did. However, I got very bored with the group of young women who were the experiment about whether selfies made people less satisfied with their looks, and I switched off. I totally agree with your views. One, very sad instance for me was when I saw Jane Fonda present an Oscar this year. Jane is one of my heroines, I have followed her for years, doing her aerobic videos and reading her books. The last one was about her admiration for older women and how she meant to age gracefully through Good nutrition and exercise. At the Oscar ceremony I loved her hair, her figure was excellent (although on reflection has that been "helped"?) But, her face! It was so obvious she had had it "done", nary a wrinkle just a stretched mask. Like you, I understand the reason, Hollywood must be a hard taskmaster, but how very sad that an intelligent, feisty woman such as she has to kowtow to such bullying. Thanks again for all your blogs or is it vlogs? Keep up the good work, you have a lot of Super Troopers behind you.

Kathy

Sep 06, 2020 00:15

Hi Tricia. I also watched these programs with interest and I totally agree with everything you have said! What a waste of time and money. I could see hardly any improvement at all to make it worth it. Kathy

Jenny Meffert

Sep 06, 2020 00:10

Tricia I also was born in 1947 and although I am not delighted to be 73, this is purely because there is less time left to watch my grandchildren grow, get married and have their own families. I would not waste my precious time in chasing the elusive fountain of youth. I have been blessed with good skin and am healthy which is a huge bonus. I confess to being a skincare and makeup junkie and always try to present my best self to the world. I did go through a period of depression with the appearance of each new wrinkle but never succumbed to Botox or the like. I am presently comfortable in my own skin and am approaching the future with enthusiasm and, of course, red lipstick.

Jenny

Mavis Thomad

Sep 06, 2020 00:09

I agree with everything you have said I watched the program and it is frightening what people are prepared to go through to look younger !! I would question weather they actually do look younger . It seems to me everyone wants to look the same now . I would partly blame technology as young girls especially are always taking selfies and making themselves look perfect with the aid of the technology, slimming faces changing face and body shapes then looking in the mirror and behold they don’t really look that perfect so get work done !! If more older people were shown in fashion and makeup shoots it would show it is perfectly normal to get older but still make the most of yourself with good makeup and cloths choices .

Annette

Sep 06, 2020 00:08

Hi Tricia
I too like Michael Moseley and find his reportage generally objective and informative. However one thing that frightens me beyond anything you have referenced is there being no age restriction and the fact that obviously the ‘seller’ of these procedures is only ever going to assure you they will be the answer you’re looking for. I would like to know when the government is going to step in and regulate this side of the so called ‘beauty industry’ - let’s face it every other conceivable aspect of lives in the U.K. seem governed by Health and Safety laws - how does this escape? Who can do it. Who is allowed to have it done and what is considered a minimum age of consent? These are things I feel incensed by. Young and perfectly beautiful children being allowed to subject themselves to unnecessary potential trauma - we need someone to come out and sort this out at Governmental level in my ‘old fogey’s’ opinion!!!

Janey

Sep 05, 2020 23:57

I totally agree. What I find so sad is that the younger generation seem to feel that they all have to confirm to a certain look and that they consider surgery a normal thing to do to achieve this. I too am glad that I grew up in the 60's when plastic surgery, as it was known then, was something only rich old vain women had and was considered rather desperate.

Apart from anything else, haven't they got better things to spend their money on? It was not until my 30's that I considered spending a bit on my appearance was ok as a treat and that was the odd facial or manicure. This obsession with appearance flies against the individuality which was so prized when I was young. And as for all those trout-pouty selfies, words fail me. How can that be considered attractive?!

Heather

Sep 05, 2020 23:56

Like you Tricia I don't normally watch this type of programme and especially if it is fronted by Dr Moseley he is like Marmite you love him or hate him.
Years ago I thought about having Botox in the two lines in my upper lip. I mentioned during a consultation with my rheumatologist. He asked me why I would inject a derivative from botulism into my face? In his opinion it is only safe used medically under controlled conditions.
Like a lot of perceived imperfections only the person concerned notices.
I was paranoid about my arthritic hands until the lovely lady who takes care of my eyebrows and nails persuaded me to bright have a colour for our holiday rather than my natural shade. People commented on the colour not the lumps and bumps.
I did toy with the idea of liposuction on my muffin tops the cost is equivalent to a short ho.iday without the pain and risk. Holiday v Liposuction ten nil !
PS. Now back to my clear nail polish as there is nothing worse that receiving a massage or beauty treatment when you can't see if the therapist has clean nails!

Maureen Sullivan

Sep 05, 2020 23:46

Funnily enough this his snippet was in my local parish newsletter this month, and certainly sums it up for me.
Wrinkles
Women are constantly being inundated with ads for expensive products to erase our wrinkles, to erase our ‘age’. Those lines on my face? Some are from years of laughing with people I love. Some are from worrying about the children I am lucky enough to call my own. Some are from hot summer days spent on the beach.Some are from people I’ve loved and lost. All the evidence of a life well lived . So if, when I look in a mirror, I see my ’age’ reflecting back at me... you know what? I’m good with that, I like what I see.
Contributed by Chris Orford
I’m with Chris on this (Plus of course a little pop of colour on the lids, cheeks and lips from LFF!)

Mary

Sep 05, 2020 23:38

I too saw the program with Dr Mosely and was unimpressed with the content but for different reasons, the focus was squarely on the negative aspects and he appeared biased all the way through.
Not all women who have procedures want to look younger as a result but this was the whole premise of the programme.
I know women who have procedures who simply want to look well, healthy and rested and looking younger doesn’t feature, this aspect wasn’t even explored.
People dye their hair to look good, wear make up to look good, choose flattering clothes to look good, use toothpaste to keep their teeth white and healthy or even have their teeth fixed - at some point in the past all of this activity was frowned on the way that “tweakments” are being frowned on now don’t you think?
I agree in the UK the industry is wholly unregulated and this is wrong but that doesn’t mean that everyone within the industry is a charlatan, there have been long standing campaigns (some of the people he featured are involved in these campaigns) for this industry to be regulated and hopefully this will happen so that tweakments can become safely available to those who want them.

Elaine Paton

Sep 05, 2020 23:35

I didn’t watch the programme as, like you I cannot see the point of these dreadful procedures. I agree with everything you say. Just accept yourself as you are and be unique.

Rhona MacVicar

Sep 05, 2020 23:35

I share your views. I’ve never understood why they all want to look the same, it’s totally missing the point of what is attractive and what one finds attractive is a very personal thing and varies so much. Yes there are various reasons for cosmetic procedures but I can’t help feeling that for many it’s not the elixir of happiness they’re seeking.

Vanessa Wright

Sep 05, 2020 23:29

I agree with your view Tricia. It's a sad reflection of the view of age in our society. Two years youth can be gained by good grooming, good makeup, bright clothes that fit well and a big smile!6

Liz Hadfield

Sep 05, 2020 23:19

Why won’t the beauty industry just accept that aging is a natural part of life.
This obsession with Botox and fillerswhich are not natural is frankly crazy and the results are temporary.
I certainly would not want a face injected with a poisonous substance.
We need to embrace our natural looks not destroy them.

Joy Daynes

Sep 05, 2020 21:07

I agree with your thinking. Thank you for your comments. I especially agree with the comment about “sameness”. It seems strange to me that women start looking like they are wearing the same mask and they are ok with that. They really do lose their individuality.

Cheryl Boone

Sep 05, 2020 21:06

Wow, I totally agree with you! I hope next week's blog will be more pleasant to read.

Fiona

Sep 05, 2020 20:39

It's up to the individual, of course, but I think here in the USA the pressure to have work done to look "10 years younger" and to wonder why you wouldn't want that , is even worse than in the UK. I am personally too afraid to have anyone come near my face with a needle or a knife, even if I could afford it. I have a large, roman nose, and in my youth, I would make a point of never letting anyone see my profile if I could help it (as if that made my nose less noticeable!!). Had I had the money, back then, I would more than likely have opted for a "nose job". I still hate it, but it is nowhere near as much of a confidence shaker as it once was, as being over 70, no-one looks at me anyway! While I will not judge anyone that has "work" done, and that feels so much better about themselves as a result, I find it sad that so many of us feel that way. I wish I could look into the future and see what many of the 40 year olds (and younger) that have had procedures look like in their 70s. Have they continued to get work done, until they bear no resemblance not only to themselves but to what a natural 70 year old looks like. My hairdresser is 32, and has already had botox (several times), micro bladed brows, lash extensions and lip/cheek fillers. She feels that she needs this to be a viable person in her profession!

Jane

Sep 05, 2020 20:09

The thing that fascinates me is that most of the cosmetic “enhancements” people get are obvious to people who see them. It is kind of like trying not to look fat if you are! People know. We are what we are and I do the best I can to be the best me I can be. I started going gray in my early 30’s and started to get highlights in my hair to disguise it. Given I live in a world where people change hair color at will, that was acceptable. I did that until I hit 70 - had always said that I would do it as long as I was working. One day my hairdresser said “you have a natural color that I think you would like. Are you ready to try it?” Given I pay her more to color my hair, I thought she might be telling the truth! So I let my hair be it’s natural color - silver grey. I get lots of compliments on it. One neighbor said, though, just last week “you wouldn’t know you are 76 but your hair gives you away.” Double edged compliment! I am now natural all over except for using makeup, which is expensive enough! And I likely look 76 and I still work at a job I love; I get to offer the wisdom these 76 years have earned!

Ruth Neal

Sep 05, 2020 19:56

I totally agree with you Tricia, maturity and a life well lived can be beautifully depicted in an older face and should be appreciated. However, by good fortune, as a younger woman in her twenties I knew a woman in her fifties whose skin was gorgeous, unlined and luminous. I asked her how she looked so good ( implying for her age!) and she laughed, which she did alot, and gave me this advice which I have shared with anyone interested. She said she consciously stopped frowning in her twenties, keeping her forehead as immobile as she could and refusing to draw her eyebrows together, resulting in no wrinkles. I too made that decision and at 75 have no forehead lines or "growl" lines. I was recently asked if I had used Botox since it was invented!!!

alison mcgrugan

Sep 05, 2020 19:37

Brilliant questioning article, Tricia. As a nurse, I wonder of the safety of injecting a deadly toxin
into facial tissues. Where does it go? It disperses from the facial muscles, and so needs repeated, but where does it disperse to? Does it go, as most substances do, to the liver, to get broken down?
Can it be totally broken down and expelled from the body, or does this deadly toxin linger in cells?
Has any research been done about this? Our livers are amazing for what they cope with...but deadly
toxins?

Jennifer

Sep 05, 2020 19:32

Even sadder than Jane Fonda feeling the need to claim she's aging naturally when she's having procedures done, is the potential impact on women who believe her and feel bad because they don't get that result with actual exercise and diet. To many people, it's as obvious as Mandy pointed out, but others believe. One of the Kardashians had lip fillers so large they changed her silhouette by how far they protruded, and there were still arguments between those who believed the pictures and those who believed her denial until she admitted having procedures. If people believed that, then there are probably people who believe Ms. Fonda's claim that she's aging naturally. It makes me sad to think of anyone comparing their actually-natural selves to surgery and feeling bad.

KAREN GAMBLE

Sep 05, 2020 19:25

As someone who has an aversion to anything involving needles being put into my body, even when essential, I find the whole idea of any sort of procedures on my face or any other part of me quite repulsive. As for making people look younger, more attractive etc., the idea is just laughable. It is always obvious that they have undergone various procedures, so instead of genuine compliments, others just say 'well, that's because they're had such and such done...'.
My husband is a great admirer of attractive women but he finds it quite bewildering that so many of todays younger women simply look like clones of one another and he finds trout-pouts and cheek implants extremely unappealing. Likewise, this strange fashion for covering themselves in revolting tattoos which he proclaims to be a total turnoff!
For my part, I just wonder what they will all look like when they are 75+; I have an idea that they will look far older than their years with all kinds of irreversible damage.
Just keep slapping on the moisturiser and applying some age appropriate make-up girls - far cheaper and far safer.

Carol

Sep 05, 2020 19:06

I quite agree Tricia with all your comments. There is so much pressures via social media etc., to always look young. My face has certainly changed ( I am 78 next month) but nothing would induce me to have “work” done and now we have LFF!

Susan Pacheco

Sep 05, 2020 18:55

Never call yourself an "old fogey". Take pride in the fact that you have enough confidence and self -esteem to accept reality and what is a naturally occurring process. Honest and sincere pride in oneself comes from within, not by what one puts in their bodies to look young or what short lived procedures are done to their bodies.

The same goes for all the diets and weight loss gimmicks out there. If you want to have that slim strong looking body you must put in the work with exercise, healthy diet, etc. The effects are worth it, earned and stay around for a long time. And then you can be proud that you earned that body.

We need to build up the mental health of individuals, not their cleavage, or their cheekbones, etc.

Anne Smith

Sep 05, 2020 18:31

Stay an old fogey, I’ll stay with you! Best wishes x

Anne

Sep 04, 2020 19:31

This really resonated with me. 25+ years ago I had two cosmetic procedures. I was living in the USA at the time, the home of ‘plastic surgery’, and yet the only way to find a reputable surgeon was word of mouth/personal recommendation and there was no guarantee that he/she would perform the surgery. In other words it was HARD to have a cometic procedure and rightly so. I don’t regret for one minute the procedures I had and they did make a huge difference to how I felt about myself (in case you are wondering I had my very wonky boobs made the same size and had saggy eyelids and under eye bags removed, an hereditary thing, my sister has had the same op). The decision to go under the knife was carefully considered both from a physical/mental perspective and also a financial one. I was 35 when I decided that surgery was appropriate for me and made sure that I was in a financial position to be able to afford it!
It astounds me how easily available cosmetic procedures are these days and how people, especially the young and impressionable, are encouraged to have them. It seems botox, fillers etc are considered as general maintenance almost on a level with having your hair or nails done, which to me is very scary. I agree wholeheartedly that the industry should be properly regulated and that it should not be possible for “teenagers“ to mess with nature because they don’t think they conform to the latest beauty ideal (where are their parents in all of this?). What happens when the beauty ideal changes? In my opinion it’s a very slippery slope to be on.

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