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2Why are young people looking so old?
If you're aged between 30 and 40, you're part of Generation Y, also known as the Millennials. You may have already said to yourself that the next generation, Gen Z, looks much older than their age.
But how is this possible?
Millennials grew up amid the rise of the wellness industry and numerous public health campaigns that promoted healthy living. Think about the messaging around eating five fruits and vegetables a day, staying physically active and avoiding smoking.
Not to mention, there was also a strong push for some protection awareness. Consequently, millennials have largely embraced skincare routines and self-care habits that keep them looking youthful.
You'd think Gen Z would follow in their footsteps and look even younger. But according to some experts, that's part of the problem.
Dermatologist Sabine Kazadem explains that this surge in skin care is leading to some young people using anti-wrinkle products too quickly, doing them more harm than good. If you start using active ingredients like retinol too early, she explains, you destroy the skin barrier, which leads to premature ageing of the skin.
The rise of cosmetic treatments among younger generations could also play a role. Dr Ross Perry, quoted in the Daily Mail, notes that Botox, fillers and semi-permanent make-up procedures are becoming normalised among people as young as 20, creating an appearance that may look older.
Social media's influence on beauty standards and a prevailing fear of ageing may also be fuelling this trend.
Are many Gen Zers really getting these procedures?
Despite the headlines suggesting otherwise, most Gen Z members aren't undergoing cosmetic procedures. Aesthetician Alison Leiterle told Daze that the trend appears widespread, but is mainly seen amongst influencers and celebrities who can afford it. While skincare is popular, most Gen Z don't pursue aesthetic treatments.
Cultural theorist Professor Meredith Jones suggests that the perception of age is shifting. Older celebrities with cosmetic enhancements now look younger, creating a distorted standard. So instead of thinking that 40-year-old looks 20, we may perceive younger people with similar features as looking older.
Ultimately, there's no clear evidence that Gen Z looks older than past generations at the same age. Changing beauty norms and evolving age perceptions may be driving this belief, especially as Gen Z move closer to their 30s. There you have it.
词汇表
Generation Y / the Millennials [mɪˈleniəlz] Y世代 / 千禧一代（指1981年至1996年间出生的人）
Gen Z Z世代（指1997年至2012年间出生的人）
skincare routine [ˈskɪnkeə ruːˌtiːn] 日常护肤，护肤流程
self-care [ˌselfˈkeə(r)] n. 自我保养，自我护理
youthful [ˈjuːθfl] adj. 年轻的，显得年轻的
dermatologist [ˌdɜːməˈtɒlədʒɪst] n. 皮肤科医生，皮肤学者
anti-wrinkle [ˌæntiˈrɪŋkl] adj. 抗皱的
retinol [ˈretɪnɒl] n. 视黄醇（用于护肤的一种维生素A）
premature ageing [ˌpremətʃə(r)] 过早老化，早衰
cosmetic treatments [kɒzˈmetɪk ˈtriːtmənts] 美容治疗，医美项目
Botox [ˈbəʊtɒks] n. 肉毒杆菌素（用于除皱）
filler [ˈfɪlə(r)] n. 填充剂（如用于面部填充）
semi-permanent make-up [ˌsemi ˈpɜːmənənt] 半永久化妆（如纹眉、纹眼线等）
normalised [ˈnɔːməlaɪzd] adj. 常态化的，正常化的
prevailing [prɪˈveɪlɪŋ] adj. 盛行的，普遍的
fuel [ˈfjuːəl] vt. 加剧，刺激，助长
undergo [ˌʌndəˈɡəʊ] vt. 经历，接受（变化或治疗等）
cosmetic procedures [kɒzˈmetɪk prəˈsiːdʒə(r)z] 美容手术，医美项目
aesthetic treatments [iːsˈθetɪk ˈtriːtmənts] 美容治疗，医美项目
cultural theorist [ˈθɪərɪst] 文化理论家
cosmetic enhancements [kɒzˈmetɪk ɪnˈhɑːnsmənts] 医美改善，美容提升
distorted [dɪˈstɔːtɪd] adj. 扭曲的，失真的
beauty norms [nɔːmz] 审美标准，美貌规范
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