The saying “beauty is in the eye of the beholder” suggests that beauty is not absolute but shaped by the observer’s perspective. But some seniors argue that beauty is personal—a quality that belongs to each individual.
Western society prefers younger, rejuvenated women as the “ideal beauty,” pressuring older women to conform to these unspoken preferences.
The pressure to look young
Older women are constantly on the receiving end of messages demanding that they have perfect, clear skin, and the beauty industry often targets these preferences with “anti-aging” and “anti-wrinkle” products.
For the older women in Calgary who turn to cosmetic procedures like Botox, it’s not just about enhancing their external beauty—it’s also a reflection of changing perceptions of aging.
Angela Robertshaw, founder of Calgary’s Vive Med Spa and a senior herself, says that every client who comes into the clinic—including seniors—opts for subtle enhancements to maintain their confidence and well-being.
A personal approach to aging and aesthetics
She adds that a subtle Botox treatment can positively impact a woman’s view of herself. She’s experienced it firsthand.
“It didn’t change my expression. I can still, you know, raise my eyebrows or look angry,” said Robertshaw. “How I felt inside matched how I would see myself in a picture or a video.”
For Robertshaw, Botox is a form of self-care and a way to acknowledge her feelings of self-worth. From working with her clients, she knows that this feeling is familiar among older women.
“It’s just as important as the other things that are important in their life, such as a healthy lifestyle, sleep, and exercise,” added Robertshaw.
Botox isn’t for everyone, though. Many older adults may never invest in medical cosmetics, whereas others will continue to seek minor refinements.
A generational gap in beauty knowledge
Phi Medical Aesthetics, an injectables clinic in Calgary with 90-92 per cent female clients, focuses on enhancing clients’ confidence rather than erasing decades.
“Typically, the seniors that we see are the ones that have always been interested in age preservation. And so they like to continue along that trend of always looking like the best versions of themselves,” said Jodie Tilley, co-founder and director of operations at the clinic.
Sarah Moran, former marketing director for Phi Medical Aesthetics, says Botox injections affect everyone’s skin and muscles differently. The main difference in cosmetic procedures for seniors is that their skin has aged more, with the most noticeable factors being skin texture and thickness changes.
Another key factor is the generational gap in knowledge and accessibility.
“I think the younger generations, like 20 and 30 [year-olds], have so much more knowledge and an opportunity for education around maintaining healthy skin in general that they probably won’t have the same type of aging that, say, my generation did,” said Robertshaw.
Robertshaw notes how small lifestyle factors can play a key role in the health of our skin. This includes wearing sunscreen with a high SPF when the sun is at its peak or wearing a brimmed hat over a baseball cap.
The risk of an expanding industry
Tilley stresses the importance of research before investing in cosmetic injections for any treatment. Botox and other fillers require a unique and personalized approach for each individual, and she cautions that not every clinic is the same.
“We live in an age now where everybody’s opening up a Botox clinic on every corner, and there is a lot of inexperience out there,” said Tilley.
Botox was originally created in the 1970s for ophthalmological purposes—the diagnosis and treatment of eye disorders. It was later recommended as a cosmetic procedure in dermatology in 2002.
Botox is only one of many botulinum neurotoxin brands used for cosmetic purposes, such as reducing wrinkles. Other brands include Dysport, Xeomin, and Jeuveau.
As more women embrace cosmetic procedures as they age, the conversation around beauty continues to evolve.
Beauty remains fluid, not bound by age or appearance, but shaped by individual perspective—just as it has always been. What matters most is that women of all ages can decide how to look and feel their best.
Correction: A previous version of this story misidentified Angela Robertshaw. We regret the error.