The story goes that Juan Ponce de León was looking for the fountain of youth when he discovered Florida. This story is a precursor to today’s story when famed illusionist David Copperfield purports that he found the fountain of youth in the southern Bahamas. Copperfield says he found the fountain amid a cluster of four tiny islands he had purchased in Julyof 2006. What has changed in the way of the search for the fountain of youth?
Of course, interest in a magical way to remain young began even before Ponce De León first began looking for his fountain, and for interest to have been maintained till today, it’s clearly apparent that the intrigue of it will not go away any time soon.
Everywhere you go there's the pressure to look younger. Whether it's by the clothes we wear, the activities, or at the very basic level, our physical appearances, younger is better. The universal sentiment is that old is out, younger is in. This is no longer limited to the catwalks of Milan and Paris or the super starlets of Hollywood where looking young is the key to longevity in their chosen professions. It’s also true of today’s Magazine covers and billboards which constantly feature pictures of models that have been digitally enhanced to remove fine lines and wrinkles from their faces. The desire for a youthful appearance is universal.
And so, age-defying regimens are in. Weight loss regimens, hair treatments and plastic surgery all promise the partaker that they will take away years from their appearances. Makeover shows like “Extreme Makeover” exist solely on the fact that people will do anything, and go to any extreme in order to look a few years younger. So whether it’s tooth-whitening, liposuction or botox, shows like Extreme Makeover serve up a weekly buffet of age-defying treatments for their viewers to desire and salivate over.
Both men and women from all over the globe are in a constant search for that which will make them look younger. Although very few will go as far as surgery, many opt for inexpensive methods to shave off a few years from their appearance. There is a constant search for the best gym equipment, the best anti wrinkle cream and the best hair colouring. Many try to stay attune to what their Hollywood idols use to look one and try as best they can to duplicate their idols.
How far will this go? How common will major surgery become in this pursuit? Only time will tell.
