You only need to look at social media trends or watch a few minutes of reality TV to see that young people today appear much older than they really are. And yes, Generation Z is more open to aesthetic procedures than previous generations. However, undergoing several procedures before the age of 30 seems to produce the opposite effect of what is desired.
1. Buccal Fat Removal
Young people naturally have rounder faces and fuller cheeks, says Dr. Rajagopal. (Hence the term "baby face.") For most of us, the natural loss of volume and fat that comes with age eventually slims the face and cheeks; this phenomenon usually occurs in our late twenties or early thirties, she adds. Only individuals who retain particularly prominent and rounded cheeks past this age are true candidates for this procedure. Removing this fat before that time instantly contributes to an aged appearance. "If you perform buccal fat removal on a 20-year-old, they will look 30. At 30, they will look 40, and so on," warns Dr. Rajagopal.
2. Excessive Hyaluronic Acid Injections
Too much hyaluronic acid, especially in the lips, cheeks, and under the eyes, makes you look older. "Overinflated lips are usually the most blatant clue that someone has had procedures too early," says Dr. Catherine Chang, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills, California. "While full, plump lips are a sign of youth, they must maintain natural movement at the corners and be sized appropriately, based on other facial features," she explains. Dr. Morgan Rabach, a board-certified dermatologist in New York, agrees. "A natural look is a youthful look. Overly large lips immediately look artificial and end up aging you," she says.
Excess hyaluronic acid under the eyes and/or in the cheeks can also contribute to an aged appearance. "Our eyes shrink as we age because we lose the fat behind the eyeball and they start to look sunken. Anything that makes the eyes look smaller will age you," explains Dr. Rabach. Over-injecting either of these areas can end up pushing the lower eyelid upward and producing exactly this effect.
3. Eyebrow Microblading
This semi-permanent tattooing technique poses a problem for young people who already have naturally dense hair. Microblading tends to create an overly defined effect that weighs down the gaze. This method visually brings the eyebrows closer together, eliminating the natural spacing that harmoniously structures the face.
Furthermore, this technique produces a uniform shade along the entire length of the eyebrow, erasing natural color variations. A natural eyebrow has softer nuances at the beginning and end, with more intensity in the center. The result of microblading often creates a dramatic and artificial effect that hardens the features and adds years to the face.
4. Radiofrequency Microneedling
This treatment is particularly risky for young skin, especially when poorly executed. The facial structure of young adults has a thinner fatty layer than the rest of the body. When radiofrequency waves penetrate too deeply, they can inadvertently destroy this essential natural fat.
This loss of facial volume is one of the most aging factors there is. In a young person, prematurely eliminating this natural fat significantly accelerates the aging process. Without expert knowledge and a very measured approach, this treatment can transform a youthful face into a mature face in a single session.
5. Excessive Botox
Contrary to popular beliefs circulating on social media, retinoids do not damage the skin. These active ingredients certainly remove dead cells on the surface, but they actually strengthen the deep layers that maintain skin firmness and radiance.
On the other hand, premature and excessive use of botulinum toxin can truly weaken the epidermis. Using this treatment before established wrinkles appear is a major mistake. Repeated injections eventually atrophy facial muscles, which in turn leads to a thinning of the skin covering them. This skin then becomes translucent and dull, typical characteristics of aging.
The forehead is the area most affected by these complications. An overdose causes the eyebrows to droop, automatically weighing down the eyelids. Furthermore, even if youth is characterized by the absence of wrinkles, some facial mobility remains essential. A completely frozen face loses all its spontaneity and freshness, creating a striking contrast with the person's real age.
