The idea of going to anti-aging clinics is a fairly new concept. There were few to speak of 20 years ago. Today, anti-aging clinics are in every major city and formulas to prevent aging abound on TV, the Internet, Magazines and other media.
Marketing Anti-Aging Products to Baby Boomers
Physicians and practitioners are becoming rich hawking products that are touted as anti-aging or claim to extend longevity. However, evidence has shown that many of these products are not as effective as they claim. The Baby Boomer generation has been strategically targeted because we embrace our youthfulness and are not in a hurry to look like our parents. We spend a fortune in an effort to stay young buying supplements, miracle skin care formulas, radical medical procedures, and other therapies.
Although most over the counter supplements are harmless, they may actually cause aging rather than prevent it when consumed in excess. For instance, too much vitamin A can cause osteoporosis. An excess of vitamin B can cause nerve damage. An overdose of vitamin E can cause cancer.
Vitamin and mineral blends, and other “tonics” are touted to boost energy, beat cancer, prevent heart disease and even fend off the flu. They’re being sold by the bucket full at premium prices. Slimy snake oil salesmen and women with a “profit-only mentality” are stealing cash from over-eager “older” customers that could be better used to fund retirement. Their marketing strategies often include long videos from pseudo doctors online or pages of testimonials from brainwashed “satisfied” customers. Most have little to no medical proof to back up their claims. Every day there’s a new longevity super juice or exotic supplement that’s no more effective than a glass of orange juice, complete with a costly monthly auto-ship.
Anti-Aging Clinics
Medical insurance usually doesn’t cover anti-aging treatments performed in clinics, so patients are left to pick up the entire tab. Some products have safety issues and may contain toxic ingredients like lead or cadmium. Skin lightening creams produced in countries outside of the U.S., particularly in Asian countries, have been found to contain high levels of mercury.
Anti-aging creams with buzz words like “botanical” contain enticing natural ingredients like fruit and flower extracts, green tea, coconut oil, mushrooms. . . etc. However, some have more of a tendency to cause allergic reactions than man-made ingredients.
Other products are marketed as scientific, cutting edge, or revolutionary. They claim to have been developed using stem cell research, or are derived from the oil of an Emu, or “exclusively patented.” Although most are harmless, don’t really prevent wrinkles and other signs of aging to justify their inflated price tags. Just because a product is expensive doesn’t mean it will work better than your mother’s cold cream.
Hormonal therapies, surgeries, and alternative treatments can cost patients thousands of dollars and are cash cows for anti-aging clinics.
What this all comes down to is that it’s important to demand solid proof that treatments, surgical procedures, and skin care programs are effective and worth the investment before going forward with them. Don’t allow money-hungry marketers or charismatic salespeople talk you into anti-aging treatments that could be potentially damaging to your health or will drain your bank account.
The most practical solution to look and feel as young as possible is to eat well, be physically active, reduce stress, schedule regular checkups with your physician and strive to be happy.
Have you been targeted by a shady online health marketer? Please leave a comment below.
Very good written article. I want to read more of your works.
Thanks Antonia. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
I often wonder the same thing. I agree with you whole heartedly that happiness is the factor that everyone seems to miss. Great read, thanks.
Hi Sloan, I’m glad you agree about happiness and enjoyed the post. I think also having a sense of purpose is vital as well. It gives you something to live for.
You are so right about the anti-ageing properties of happiness. Pills and creams can only be a poor substitute for the inner glow that comes from a life well lived and full of loving abundance.
I’m glad you agree David. I don’t think a pill or cream could ever cover up an unhappy person. And happiness glows in a person’s face and gives them a radiant appearance. You just have to look for it in even the smallest of things.
I met you when you were just a little baby! My ex-husband, son, and I had just moved to Huntington Beach. We found a baby doctor…Dr. Dorn….,who told me that he had another Forstadt family in his practice….turns out that your dad and my dad were cousins….from your picture for this site, you could ne a twin of my dad’s sister, Eleanor (Lenore) Brooks. Have watched you from a distance as your career grew…..love this new site (new for me!)……Best wishes,
Carole
Wow! Carole. That’s exciting! It’s always great to meet another Forstadt. Both of my parents recently passed away at the end of the year. You’ll have to let me know how we’re related. My brother Jerry has been working on the family tree. Thanks for stopping by and glad you like my site.