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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To be upset that young women feel they have to mutilate themselves like this

277 replies

LandOfFruitAndNut · 21/02/2026 17:52

Face Estetica GIF by Dott. Cristina Sartorio

For context ‘young’ in my book is anyone under 35. I am in my 50’s. Very much old crone territory and thankfully no amount of procedures could improve my bog standard appearance. Thankfully as I am over 50 I really couldn’t give a toss.

So - AIBU to think that any level of plastic surgery is unnecessary except for medical reasons and to be particularly upset that young women think they need it?

Young people are beautiful. Full stop. They are young, have fresh skin, bouncy hair and ooze youth. Why does society tell them that making their bottom extra round or their lips extra puffy will improve their lives immeasurably?

Because it is society. I don’t buy the ‘doing it for themselves’ for one minute. If it was just for them they wouldn’t be posting images of the new improved them over the internet usually with the support of some down lighting and a smoothing filter or two.

Is this yet another issue we can lay at the feet of the patriarchy or is the concept of beauty so skewed anyway that I should stop getting so exercised about it and go back to my knitting?(societal stereotype of 50 something woman for dramatic effect. I prefer decoupage)

OP posts:
LaurieFairyCake · 21/02/2026 17:55

Eek. In my 50’s like you and I’m pretty sure that the Botox and acid injections in my face have definitely improved my ‘big standard’ appearance 😉

I didn’t need them when young but they have definitely kept me looking better over the last 6 years, started late 40’s with the Botox.

Boomer55 · 21/02/2026 17:54

The Instagram generation. 🙄