Thicker Eyelashes. What’s Next?
Something bothers me about the new craze for ‘thicker’ eyelashes and I’m not sure why. Women are now using a drug allergen, originally intended for glaucoma, to increase the thickness of eyelashes, much the way botox is now used to relax wrinkles when it’s original use was for treatment of various medical disorders. …….It’s something about the fact that there is yet another feature that will now be under question; what is real and what isn’t? Our mother’s generation used to ask, ‘does she or doesn’t she? Our generation now asks ‘has she or hasn’t she’ (as in, has she had cosmetic surgery work done?). What questions will our daughters ask? Will they wonder if anything about a woman that is real? I have no trouble with the idea that there are products and procedures that enhance a woman’s natural beauty, but I am concerned about where this leads. Steroids, also once used for medical purposes, was found to enhance athletic ability and then led to a deep mistrust in who was using and who had true talent. Ritalin has been found to enhance a student’s ability to concentrate and has resulted in young people using the drug to raise test scores. Will we trust women to be who they appear to be? If a woman’s eyes are really blue, will we not be able to trust that they are? Or what about the woman who is proud of her full, real breasts, but no one believes they are really hers. What do you think? — Dr. Vivian
Category: Articles, Face It | Tags: aging, appearance, beauty, body image, midlife, plastic surgery, procedures 4 comments »
February 10th, 2010 at 8:31 pm
It’s that there seems to be a constant expedition for something else to feel bad about. Driven by commercial interests, of course, but still taken to heart by vulnerable women.
February 11th, 2010 at 3:53 am
Hi Theresa,
Yes, I agree. Instead of building our self-esteem, the forces of commercialism seem to deplete it. That’s why we need to find strength in our own standards!
-Dr. Jill
February 11th, 2010 at 10:41 pm
I am almost 55 years old and proudly consider myself a feminist. I live in Southern California where so many women have tight, waxy faces and fish-like lips. Not for me. I don’t even wear makeup except a little blush (but, to each her own). However, as I’ve aged, my already fair eyelashes have become thinner and shorter. I use Revitalash and got eyelash extensions and I am here to tell you, I love them. My eyes just look a little brighter now, less tired… Fake boobs, too many facelifts, frozen faces from Botox, etc. etc.? Those aren’t for me. But, I like this. I don’t see this issue as any different than wearing makeup.
February 11th, 2010 at 11:10 pm
Debs, good point. I think that what we’re trying to encourage is thoughtful use of what is now available for woman to enjoy their looks as they age. The key here is using thoughtfulness. It’s the impulsive, anxiety driven, “I’ve got to have what she’s having,” that seems to lead women to choices they later regret. We need to think about what really makes us feel good and look good, and define beauty on our own terms. Which it seems you have done. –Dr. Vivian