From the moment we pop our little collagen-rich heads into the world, we’re trained to analyze our reflection. Just as babies require mirror play to develop a fully formed sense of self, we seek satisfaction in the face staring back at us. Teens, middle-aged, senior citizens—no one is immune to sneaking a gratuitous peek in the mirror, and we’d all like to feel pleased (or at least marginally content) with that reflection.
The habit we needed in infancy refuses to relent, even as time and gravity take their indefatigable toll on the condition of our skin and the density of our bones. But as those signs of aging appear, it can be harder to feel enthused about the face looking back at you. I’m as guilty as the next person who craves a little facial tweaking to look better—I started visiting my dermatologist regularly the moment I turned 29—and I reject the idea that a little vanity is inherently bad.
