Lifestyle
Smoothed Faces Give the Impression That All Women Are Terrified of Aging
A column responding to Giselinde Kuipers’ manifesto argues that the trend toward anti-aging treatments represents a loss of humanity and expression. The author contends that cosmetic procedures like botox and fillers normalize a standard of beauty that alienates women from their bodies and increases social inequality. While Kuipers focuses on individual responsibility, the columnist emphasizes the collective loss of expressive female faces in culture. Susan Sontag’s 1975 observation that beauty is the primary power women are expected to seek is cited to explain how these choices reinforce patriarchal norms. The text highlights rare counter-narratives, such as Hiske Versprille’s critique of weight-loss medication and Haley Nahman’s analysis of how both proponents and opponents of cosmetic surgery engage with patriarchy. The author urges a nuanced discussion to challenge an industry that exploits fears and to recognize women who reject conventional beauty standards.
Ozetta summarises; the reporting is the newsroom's