APPEARANCE, AGEISM AND AESTHETICS

Editorial assistant Michelle Duffield considers the social pressure to look a certain way as an aesthetics practitioner

Would you trust a tattoo artist without any tattoos? Or a barber with a slightly offputting haircut? While these factors may not directly correlate to one’s talents and abilities, in these industries, much like aesthetic medicine, your own appearance often becomes the billboard on which you advertise to your patients.

But is there a limit to the social pressure to look a certain way?

Beauty and youth are usually at the forefront of aesthetic medicine. With this being the case, it’s no surprise that female practitioners have felt the strain of balancing personal authenticity with societal expectations.

Physician and owner of Glow Medispa and author of Medspa Mayhem, Katherine Dee, sheds light on the intense pressure to look ageless, particularly in competitive industries like tech and aesthetics. “The ideal job candidate often looks like they graduated from college about 10 years ago,” she shares. Dee focuses on looking healthy: “We don’t all need to look 30. At 56, I can say I have great skin and no filler in my face. My biggest critics, my teenagers, think I look in my early 40s, so, I’m calling that a win.”

“Women in our industry will always be vulnerable to criticism, both from societal judgement and the pressures of the industry,” states Dr Annelize Meyer, from Meyer Clinic. “Finding ourselves in difficult situations can only make us stronger, so do not be afraid of challenges. Live and lead authentically, speak your truth, and follow your heart. Your actions will speak louder than your words. Drown out all the noise and learn to honour and love yourself.”

Anna Miller, registered nurse, life coach, and co-founder of The Ardour Clinic, advises cultivating inner harmony. “Ageing is a natural process, and we should embrace it. Try to love the body that you’re in — both inside and out.”

It is also no surprise that patients have opened up about feeling the need to look a certain way in order to gain control over their lives. Dr Paris Acharya, leading aesthetics and skincare expert and co-founder of the Ardour Clinic, raises an interesting point where women, particularly those in high-powered positions, face immense pressure to maintain their appearance. Her advice? “Address internal concerns first, and then approach things on the outside. Remember not to be too hard on yourself, as ageing is something we should be grateful for and embrace.”

Consultant oculoplastic surgeon and founder of The Clinic Holland Park, Dr Jenny Doyle, reflects on her journey, acknowledging the early challenges she faced as a young female surgeon. “Early in my career, I often encountered negative comments about my young age and gender, with patients sometimes citing what their perception of a ‘surgeon’ should look like,” she says. However, as she transitioned into the aesthetic field, these perceived weaknesses became strengths. “The majority of my patients are female and seeking to regain a youthful appearance. It’s important to remember that we are all put under pressures of appearance by society, but being comfortable and confident with our own appearance is the most important thing. There is nothing more attractive than confidence.”

By embracing confidence, authenticity, and self-love, women can navigate the challenges of ageism and societal expectations, both as practitioners and as individuals.