
Overview
Throughout history we have searched for ways to slow or stop the aging process. The idea of anti-aging treatments is not new. Youth was pursued at least as long ago as the ancient Egyptians. While their religion focused on the afterlife, the ancient Egyptians also paid great attention to their present life. Herbs and remedies such as olive leaf were used to make themselves beautiful and in hopes of achieving a longer life. Ancient Eastern Physicians used natural, herbal formulas to improve wellness, longevity and to enhance beauty. Anti-aging ideology was fostered by many cultures. India and China have long traditions of the use of foods, diets, herbs and health practices to slow aging. In the past alchemists and scientists attempted to find potions and cures for aging. The transplanting of monkey gonads, ingesting of certain food and drinks and the injecting of gold or testicular tissue are examples of anti-aging treatments from the past.
Expeditions
Throughout history actual expeditions have been launched to search for legendary, magic places. Spaniard Juan Ponce de León headed an expedition to find the fabled Fountain of Youth. Unable to find the legendary Fountain of Youth, he instead went down in history as the first Spaniard to step foot in Florida. In 1933 James Hilton wrote of Shangri-La in his book “Lost Horizons”. In his book, this was an ageless paradise somewhere near the Tibet-China border. Even though fictional, many have gone to search for Shangri-La. Atlantis, the Lost Continent, was supposed to have a population that never aged. Since Homer wrote of Atlantis, every generation has attempted to find it. Centuries later, Atlantis has still not been found. Today the expeditions are more likely to be to the store shelf where a plethora of anti-aging products is available.
1800’s
For centuries mineral springs have been commonly used for medicinal purposes. By the middle 1800’s resort spas were springing up to promote the virtues of mineral waters as a treatment for various ailments including age-related conditions. It became very fashionable to “take the cure”.
Modern Anti-Aging Skin Care Industry
The modern Anti-Aging Skin Care Industry addresses a huge array of subject matter. It involves the effort to prevent, slow or reverse the effects of aging. It also promotes the living of longer, healthier and happier lives. Scientific research and its application, medical advances and new treatments are leading the way towards successful treatment of age-related conditions. Current industry philosophy embraces anti-aging psychology to develop coping skills for handling changes, stresses and aging.
The industry marketplace includes psychology, physical fitness, hormone replacement, skin care, supplements, vitamins, herbs and cosmetic surgery. Traditional medicine has slowly begun to accept holistic and alternative medicine as viable approaches to anti-aging. With recognition as a biological process, aging is now viewed by science as a condition that can be slowed, repaired and reversed. With the accomplishment of that goal, science hopes to improve health and quality of life as we age.
Research Continues
We continue to search for eternal youth. Scientists continue to find the cause and cure for aging. “Tissue Engineering” is currently being extensively researched. This technique focuses on the development of ways to replace old, damaged tissue with newly grown tissue. Also included in “Tissue Engineering” would be controversial stem cell research, organ transplants and the use of artificial tissue organs. This research has the potential to aid in the understanding and development of treatments for many ailments including Alzheimer’s Disease and other age-related conditions.
Current Market
The current market of Anti-Aging products generally target women. Shelves are full of creams, lotions and various other products that claim to make our skin feel and look younger. Books, ads and the media provide a constant supply of information to the youth-hungry public. The Cosmetic Surgery market has enjoyed huge success with claims of “instant” reversal of aging effects and looking 20 years younger.
Conclusion
As long as the standard of beauty is one of youth, we will search for ways to look younger. The ancients searched for eternal youth and eternal life but never found it. The huge success of the Anti-Aging Skin Care Industry indicates we have not given up the search.