The Dark History of Anti-Aging in Old Hollywood
From Clara Bow to Audrey Hepburn, Old Hollywood was filled with timeless beauty icons. But how did they maintain their ageless looks? The answer may surprise you. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at the scandalous history of anti-aging in Old Hollywood and how it still influences our views today.
The 1940s & 50s: Enter the Chemical Peel
In the 1940s and 1950s, cosmetic procedures such as chemical peels were becoming more popularized by celebrities like Joan Crawford, who had a chemical peel in 1945 to reduce wrinkles around her eyes and mouth. Chemical peels were one of the earliest anti-aging treatments available but because of their painful and lengthy recovery time, many stars kept their use a closely guarded secret.
The 1960s & 70s: Botox Comes Into Fashion
By the 1960s, cosmetic surgery was becoming increasingly popular among celebrities. During this time, “Botox parties” began to emerge where Hollywood A-listers like Elizabeth Taylor would gather for a night of gossip and injections that promised to erase wrinkles and restore youthfulness. The procedure quickly became the go-to for those looking for an easy fix to aging skin.
The 1980s & 90s: Plastic Surgery Hits Its Stride
By the 1980s and 1990s, plastic surgery had become much more commonplace among celebrities—so much so that they were often seen flaunting their new faces on red carpets or TV talk shows instead of keeping them hidden away as secret treatments. The most prominent example is Michael Jackson’s transformation from child star to adult icon complete with an ever changing face that came as a result of extensive plastic surgery procedures.
Today, women are bombarded with messages about staying young forever—messages that are rooted in the same fear of aging that plagued Hollywood stars decades ago. While there has been progress in terms of destigmatizing plastic surgery within certain circles, society still largely shames those who choose to go under the knife rather than celebrate them for taking ownership over their own bodies and appearances. Despite this stigma however, it’s important to remember that anti-aging treatments can be empowering if used correctly; after all, what matters most is feeling happy and confident in your own skin!
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