For the general public, the concept of anti-aging is all about trying to turn back the hands of time in order to achieve and maintain a more youthfully appealing appearance. However, to others the definition is quite different. In the ongoing battle between the scientific community and the anti-aging industry over this very subject, the actual definition of anti-aging has come to mean many things.

The definition of anti-aging that most consumers understand is the same definition that is shared and accepted by those in the wider business community - namely the skincare and anti-aging industry. However, the only difference is that for the manufacturers, anti-aging means booming business and is regarded as an excellent opportunity to push products and make a profit. In this sense, anti-aging is seen by these business professionals as a type of brand to be exposed to the public in the attempt to increase sales. By formulating, marketing and selling various skincare anti-aging creams, lotions, serums and the like, consumers are able to have a shot at looking and feeling younger. However, this type of anti-aging merely deals with the physical aspect of how one looks. These products aren’t responsible for aiding in longevity or health.

The concept of anti-aging as it relates to the actual lifespan of a person is the definition strongly supported by the medical community. These individuals see anti-aging as the actual research conducted in the hopes of slowing, preventing or reversing the human body’s aging process. Instead of turning to products that may effectively make you look younger, this side of the anti-aging community is more interested in coming up with solid solutions to actually make you younger. The more immediate medical community deals with anti-aging medicine, which is defined as the necessary steps needed for early detection, prevention and the reversal of age-related diseases. This is commonly achieved through various strategies and different therapies.

Some view the ability to prevent heart disease or diabetes as a type of anti-aging medicine because even though it doesn’t cause you to look younger or slow the aging process, it can lead to a longer lifespan. Others disagree. Nonetheless, the battle over the true definition of anti-aging continues to be disputed among the medical community and the skincare and anti-aging industry to this day.  

The reason for the oftentimes heated debate over the definition of this word is due to the medical community’s concern that the skincare and anti-aging industry are unfairly preying on consumers by selling the idea that true anti-aging will happen for them by purchasing a miracle cream or serum that may or may not give them the results promised. While there is nothing illegal or potentially harmful about this approach, medical experts do fear that the general public will become more concerned with looking younger than actually taking the physical and nutritional steps to become healthier and increase their lifespan. Additionally, there are worries over how the anti-aging industry markets its products. Many use certain scientific studies to support their anti-aging claims, but according to the medical community, these excerpts of information are often used out of context and only to serve the company’s purposes.

Of course the anti-aging industry and the greater business community do not agree with the medical community’s concerns, but either way, both sides do agree that ultimately, the decision over the idea of anti-aging is up to the consumer.

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