Non-Surgical Cosmetic Procedures: Older Women's Perceptions and Experiences

This paper analyzes findings from in-depth interviews with 44 women aged 50-70 regarding their perceptions of and experiences with non-surgical cosmetic procedures such as Botox injections, laser hair removal, chemical peels, microdermabrasion, and injectable fillers. While 21 of the women had used...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of women & aging 2007-09, Vol.19 (3-4), p.69-87
Main Authors: Clarke, Laura Hurd, Repta, Robin, Griffin, Meridith
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aged
Ageism
Attitude to Health
Body Image
Body Modification
Botulinum Toxins, Type A - therapeutic use
Chemexfoliation - psychology
Cosmetic Techniques - psychology
Cosmetology
Elderly
Female
Females
Feminism
feminist theory
Hair Removal - psychology
Human Body
Humans
Laser Therapy - psychology
lived experience
Middle Aged
Narration
non-surgical cosmetic procedures
Older people
older women
Perceptions
qualitative methodology
Qualitative research
Self Concept
Skin Aging
Surgery
Surveys and Questionnaires
Theory
Women
Women's Health
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Summary:This paper analyzes findings from in-depth interviews with 44 women aged 50-70 regarding their perceptions of and experiences with non-surgical cosmetic procedures such as Botox injections, laser hair removal, chemical peels, microdermabrasion, and injectable fillers. While 21 of the women had used a range of non-surgical cosmetic procedures, 23 women had not. The data are discussed in light of feminist theorizing on cosmetic surgery which has tended to ignore the experiences of older women and has been divided in terms of the portrayal of cosmetic surgery as either oppressive or liberating. We found that some of the women used the procedures to increase their physical attractiveness and self-esteem, others viewed the procedures as excessively risky, and still others argued that the procedures stemmed from the social devaluation of later life. Treatments that involved the alteration of the surface of the body tended to be viewed as less risky than the injection of foreign substances into the body.
ISSN:0895-2841
1540-7322
DOI:10.1300/J074v19n03_06