Toronto — There may be a stigma attached to invasive anti-aging treatments: Some regard them as a sign of vanity, UPI reports.
A study led by Alison Chasteen, Ph.D., associate professor of psychology at the University of Toronto, further notes that young adults are more negative than older adults about using anti-aging methods.
The study assessed the reactions of 122 younger adults (mean age 19) and 123 older adults (mean age 70) to people age 60 or older using facial creams or Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA, Allergan) injections. The results show that older adults had more positive feelings than the younger ones did toward those who used anti-aging techniques. Both groups, however, viewed “mild” anti-aging techniques such as sun avoidance and use of facial creams more favorably than intensive methods such as use of Botox or cosmetic surgery.
UPI quotes Dr. Chasteen as saying, “These results suggest that despite the rapid growth of the anti-aging cosmetic industry, age concealment has not yet become universally accepted. This is important because it shows that despite the emphasis on looking younger in society, there are possible negative social consequences to fighting the signs of aging by engaging in cosmetic age concealment.”
The study was published in the Journal of Gerontology: Psychological Sciences.
