Carle Jasmin (Photo : Pixabay)
Anti-aging treatments among gay men: a trend gaining popularity with the young
Anti-aging treatments have never been more popular among gay men, and unlike twenty years ago, it’s no longer just mature men using them to soften the signs of aging. Increasingly, younger men, sometimes just out of adolescence, are turning to these treatments—not just to smooth out a few wrinkles, but to transform their faces into genuine works of art. Social media plays a significant role in this shift.
The pursuit of perfect aesthetics and its risks
The quest for a perfect aesthetic, with standardized facial proportions, eye color, jaw shape, shoulder width, and even overall body appearance, has become a reason for many interventions. Unfortunately, what begins as a desire to conform to the beauty standards of the moment can sometimes spiral into obsessive-compulsive disorder, and at that stage, the damage may become irreversible.
When correction becomes obsession: Mike’s story
Mike was 18 and had never considered himself particularly unattractive. He saw himself as an ordinary boy, with his qualities and minor insecurities like everyone else. But over the months, he started spending more and more time on Instagram, looking at perfectly sculpted photos of personalities he admired. Their silhouettes fascinated and unsettled him: slim waists, flawless lines, impeccable posture. He didn’t want to become someone else, just to resemble them a bit more, as if adopting their contours would give him their confidence.
He first tried subtle style tweaks, then gradually looked for more drastic methods. That’s how he discovered shaping corsets, designed to slim the waist and reshape the torso. Mike bought one, then another, eventually wearing extremely tight models, convinced that a little discomfort was necessary to achieve the figure he envisioned.
At first, he told himself the discomfort was just a necessary phase. Then came the pain: tightness in the lower back, constant abdominal discomfort, shorter breath. Yet he kept going, convinced that stopping would undo all his efforts. Over time, the pain worsened: persistent digestive issues, constant pressure on his lumbar muscles, and a fatigue that never left him.
The day he had to go to the emergency room because he could no longer stand upright without pain, he realized his desire to look like his idols had gone too far. The doctor calmly explained that his body had been compressed to the point that his organs and spine were under serious strain. Nothing irreversible, but recovery would require rest, physical therapy, and most importantly, a reassessment of his habits.
Changing appearance without falling into illness: Ahmed’s example
Ahmed had never really worried about his appearance. Slightly chubby but not much, he looked like any other boy his age. Only his nose bothered him, especially when he laughed. Extremely aquiline, he felt his nose turned into an eagle’s beak every time he laughed heartily, making him shy to laugh openly, often covering his nose with his hand.
It wasn’t an obsession, just a goal. At sixteen, he considered consulting a plastic surgeon to see how to soften this “eagle’s beak.” Thanks to the doctor’s wise advice, he realized a simple procedure under local anesthesia could refine the tip of his nose and harmonize it with the rest of his face.
At eighteen, off to the clinic—his doctor had insisted on waiting until adulthood before surgery to give the plan time to mature. In just one hour, Ahmed had the nose he wanted. Weeks later, after bruising and swelling disappeared, he finally loved what he saw in the mirror.
The most common aesthetic procedures among young gay men
Among young gay men, there’s a clear interest in small touch-ups that help boost confidence in front of the mirror or a loved one. Many want to soften a feature they find too pronounced, refresh their gaze, or add a little more glow to their face—like adjusting a light to see themselves better.
Some also like to add volume here and there (even regarding the bulge effect of the male genital area), aiming for a more rested or harmonious look and to draw attention toward their “unreachable star,” while others focus on smoothing the skin or reducing dark circles to appear less tired.
There are also those who want to better define their silhouette, without necessarily making deep changes. Ultimately, these are gestures meant to get closer to the image they wish to project, often influenced by what they see on social networks, where everything always looks a bit more perfect than in real life.
What to do when you lose control?
As with obsessive-compulsive disorder or anorexia, sometimes the desire to look as close as possible to what’s seen on social media creates anxiety so intense it becomes obsessive. The young man’s self-image becomes distorted, much like in anorexia, where he sees himself as bigger while in reality he is too thin.
In such cases, it is called a perception disorder.
When someone begins to feel overwhelmed by these expectations, talking with trusted people—friends, family, or a professional—can really help clear things up. Sometimes, stepping back from social media does good, allowing a fresh perspective and refocusing on what truly matters.
Often, by giving oneself some time, without chasing perfection, balance is more easily regained. And if things become too difficult, there are always specialists who can provide nonjudgmental support and find solutions that truly fit.
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