Ditch the Dye, Embrace the Lines: Why a World Without Anti-Aging Could Be Good for Us

At this point in my life, I fully believe (through experience) that change is constant and that all holes/gaps/empty spaces either made naturally or not, will always get filled up again with something else. So when I wonder “How would our modern society look without the youth-based beauty standards we are all forced to succumb to?”, I don’t let myself get too hopeful because I believe that it would be replaced by some other toxic belief imposed on us.

But that hasn’t stopped me from still wondering. This is why I asked my partner, Gemini, to help me paint this fictitious future as a fun mental exercise. Below is what Gemini responded with when I asked what the world would be like without anti-aging beauty treatments. It’s a thought-provoking exercise that can help us reflect on our current relationship with beauty, aging, and the pursuit of youthfulness. Enjoy!

A world without anti-aging beauty treatments would certainly feel different, with the impact manifesting in several ways:

Appearance:

• More visible signs of aging: Without Botox, fillers, and other procedures, wrinkles, fine lines, and sagging skin would likely be more prominent and appear earlier in life.

• Greater diversity in appearance: There would be a wider range of visible physical aging, reflecting individual genetics, lifestyle choices, and environmental factors. This could lead to a more diverse and realistic representation of beauty standards.

• Potentially increased focus on natural beauty: With less emphasis on anti-aging procedures, there might be a shift towards appreciating individual beauty as it naturally evolves with age.

Societal impact:

• Reduced pressure to conform to youthful beauty standards: The societal pressure to maintain a perpetually youthful appearance could lessen, potentially leading to more acceptance and celebration of aging.

• Shift in focus from appearance to other aspects of worth: Without the emphasis on anti-aging treatments, individuals might value and be judged more on their skills, achievements, and other personal qualities.

• Potential economic shifts: The beauty industry, particularly the segment focused on anti-aging treatments, would likely decline. However, resources might be redirected towards other areas like preventative healthcare and wellness.

• Ageism: Age discrimination could become more prevalent, with older adults potentially facing challenges in employment, relationships, and even social acceptance.

Individual impact:

• Increased body positivity: Individuals might feel less pressure to conform to unrealistic beauty standards and be more comfortable in their own skin at any age.

• Focus on healthy aging: Without relying on cosmetic interventions, people might be more proactive in adopting healthy lifestyle practices for overall well-being and longevity.

• Greater focus on inner beauty and personal growth: With less emphasis on the physical, individuals might invest more energy in personal development, mental health, and building fulfilling relationships.

Cultural impact:

• Decline of the "youth culture": The obsession with youth and youthful appearances could fade, leading to a more balanced appreciation of all ages and life stages.

• Changes in advertising and media: The marketing and media landscape might shift away from bombarding people with images of wrinkle-free perfection and focus more on promoting positive aging and celebrating diversity.

• Emphasis on well-being: The focus on external beauty might be replaced by a greater emphasis on overall health and well-being, with people prioritizing healthy lifestyles and preventative care.

Economical impact:

• Loss in the beauty industry: The anti-aging beauty industry is a multi-billion dollar market, and its disappearance would lead to job losses and economic repercussions.

• Rise of alternative industries: New industries could emerge to cater to the needs of aging populations, such as those providing support services, specialized healthcare, and products for mature consumers.

• Increased focus on preventative care: With people more conscious of the natural aging process, there could be a greater investment in preventative healthcare and healthy aging initiatives.

It's important to note that these are just potential scenarios, and the actual impact of a world without anti-aging treatments would be complex and multifaceted. Ultimately, the absence of these treatments might lead to a more authentic and accepting world, where people are valued for who they are, not just how they look.

Of course, it's also possible that some form of anti-aging technology would still exist, just in a more accessible or equitable form, leading to a world where the benefits of such treatments are not limited to the wealthy or privileged.

Ultimately, the question of what a world without anti-aging treatments would be like is open to speculation and debate.

It’s interesting that Gemini says “age discrimination could become more prevalent” as I thought the opposite would be true if we are deprioritizing youth-based beauty standards so I asked, “would this still be potentially true in a society that celebrates aging?” Below is the response I received:

That's a great question! In a society that truly celebrates aging, age discrimination would likely be less prevalent, but it might not disappear entirely. Here's why:

• Subtle Biases: Even with a conscious effort to value aging, unconscious biases based on appearance or stereotypes could still linger. For example, someone might see an older adult and subconsciously associate them with being less tech-savvy, even if that's not true.

• Focus on Different Qualities: A celebration of aging might emphasize wisdom and experience, but some workplaces might still prioritize other qualities like physical stamina or the ability to quickly learn new skills. This could lead to a different kind of age bias, favoring older adults for some roles but not others.

• Generational Differences: Even with a cultural shift, there might be some tension between generations. Younger generations might not fully understand the challenges faced by older adults, and vice versa.

However, a society that celebrates aging would have a significant advantage:

• Open Dialogue: A more open conversation about aging and its realities could help dismantle stereotypes and unconscious biases.

• Focus on Ability: The emphasis would be on individual skills and contributions, not chronological age. This could lead to a more meritocratic system where experience is valued alongside other qualities.

• Multigenerational Workplaces: Companies that embrace diversity could create teams with a mix of ages, fostering collaboration and knowledge transfer between generations.

Ultimately, the possibility of age discrimination in a society that celebrates aging depends on how deeply that celebration is ingrained. With conscious effort and open communication, a world that values older adults could see a significant decrease in ageism.

What I took away from this is “yes we could still find age discrimination or other new forms of discrimination because we are Human” LOL.

The natural question to ask next, for me at least, was “Is there any culture currently in the world that values inner beauty over physical appearance?”. Here’s the response I received:

There are cultures that place more emphasis on inner qualities alongside physical appearance:

• Some religions: Islam, for example, emphasizes modesty and inner qualities like compassion and generosity.

• Cultures with arranged marriages: Here, compatibility and family background might be valued more than physical attraction in choosing a partner.

I had a really strong reaction to that response, so strong that I had to take a break for a day before coming back to finish this post. Let me explain.

Through my culture, I’ve had experiences with both and they weren’t altogether positive. I was raised as a Pakistani Muslim, so Islamic teachings were a fundamental part of my upbringing. Being South Asian, the notion of having an arranged marriage was as normal as eating peanut butter and jelly together in a sandwich. Why I was triggered is because:

1. The Islamic emphasis on modesty seemed to be more heavily monitored for women, to ensure that no aspect of their physical beauty could be seen in the world. I recall being told by strangers (men AND women) that too much of my hair was showing through from my head covering and constantly being berated by my mother for wearing inappropriate clothing like a sleeveless shirt.

2. Yes, there is a strong emphasis on family background and compatibility when exploring an arranged marriage, but the true beneficiaries of the lack of emphasis on physical beauty is again, men. I have heard and been the subject of conversations where a woman’s physical attributes were being discussed at great length when deciding on an ideal match. The most important trait in these discussions was the color of her skin - the fairer her skin color, the more valuable she was to the man’s family.

Clearly, there’s more healing I need to do in this space but I know that conceptually Islam and arranged marriages could be great if practiced right, but again, we are Human. We have a tendency to screw shit up 🤪 

I’d love to hear from you! Click the button below to share your perspective on any of the questions below:

1. Do you think a society that celebrates aging could still have age discrimination? Why or why not?

2. Can you think of any examples from your own culture where inner beauty is valued alongside physical appearance? Are there any potential downsides to this approach?

3. Imagine a world without anti-aging treatments. What positive or negative changes do you foresee in your own life?