The beauty industry has embraced many trends over the years, but no trend has consistently persisted like anti-aging. Many brands have created skin care serums and other beauty products that would help customers maintain a youthful appearance despite their age. That said, recent years have seen this technology make some major headway.
That said, this fixation on anti-aging has had unintended consequences within beauty standards not only for older people but for younger generations from all walks of life. Recent trends on social media like TikTok have seen children and teenagers using anti-aging products targeted at adults when it’s unneeded.
Pop culture and social media have added to the pressure of beauty standards in the modern day. People have the right to do with their bodies however they see fit, but that shouldn’t come at the expense of their self-esteem or comfort.
For women and even men, many feel obligated to conform to modern beauty standards, whether it be from peer pressure, bullying, or wanting to look like their favorite celebrities.
However, these beauty standards have found their way into the workplace. Recruiters and other people in upper management are more than likely to pick conventionally attractive workers for raises and other positions over people who don’t fit these standards.
In countries like South Korea, plastic surgeries have even become required in certain industries to even be considered for employment.
Altering a person’s appearance should be left for just that person to consider. Beauty standards will always be a part of society, but no one should feel forced to participate in them.
