A few weeks ago, my mother noticed some visible wrinkles on her face. She was sad, but more than that, it was the thought of what people would say and assume about her that weighed on her mind. Once, remarks about one’s appearance came from familiar voices; now, an entire crowd—both known and unknown—chimes in through social media. A woman’s face is no longer just her own; it’s a conversation piece, a spectacle under relentless scrutiny. But are we even allowed to age gracefully?
It’s a battleground for women. Embracing wrinkles? Oh, she’s done for life! Taken Botox? What a desperate grasp on youth! The irony? No matter what a woman chooses, the world still finds a reason to dissect, judge, and demand an explanation. The real issue isn’t whether someone chooses Botox or embraces their wrinkles—it’s the relentless policing of a woman ageing.
“I’ve always felt unstated pressure to conform to the ‘acceptable’ image of an older woman—from how I dress and walk to how I laugh. But I’ve realised that I neither have the time nor the inclination to meet others’ expectations,” says 66-year-old Meenakshi Menon, founder of GenS Life, a tech-enabled platform supporting the physical, mental, emotional, financial, and social well-being of those aged 60 and above. “Women will always face criticism if they let social media dictate their choices. Beauty treatments are personal. If Botox makes you happy, go for it. If you do not want it, own that too. In the end, you are what matters.”
Once a hush-hush secret whispered, Botox and fillers are now out in the open, embraced as part of modern beauty routines. Preventative skincare, non-invasive treatments, and aesthetic enhancements are done in the pursuit of confidence and self-care. Yet, every time a celebrity or public figure admits to getting work done, the backlash is immediate, often harsher. Isn’t it the most unattainable standard to be expected to age without visible signs of time? Take the…
