Reality television personality Laura Byrne has criticized influencers who undergo significant cosmetic surgery at a young age, expressing concern about the normalization of such procedures. Her remarks follow social media influencer Ruby Tuesday Matthews' recent sharing of her experience undergoing a facelift at 33.
Byrne, co-host of the podcast "Life Uncut," stated that influencers detailing cosmetic surgeries in their 30s contribute to a "frightening" world for younger generations. "The more the people are doing at the age of 30 and talking about it, all it does is normalise it," Byrne said. She voiced apprehension about the impact on her three young daughters, stating, "I do not want that world for my daughters."
Byrne suggested that facelifts at 30 could become as common as breast augmentation procedures within a decade, a prospect she finds deeply concerning. She believes she has a responsibility to teach her children about self-acceptance, though she acknowledged a personal struggle with aging. "I think there is some hypocrisy in me saying these things to my daughters and then going and getting a surgical procedure because I can't fathom the idea of ageing, because I'm trying to fight against it radically," she admitted.
Her podcast co-host, Brittany Hockley, questioned whether it is preferable for influencers to be transparent about their surgeries rather than attributing their appearance to genetics or skincare. Byrne described the dilemma as an "impossible choice," noting that while honesty protects audiences from unrealistic comparisons, it also exposes younger viewers to procedures that might be concerning. "I want them to be honest with the audience so they know, but on the other hand, you don't protect the young (women) and you lead your audience down the garden path," she explained.
Matthews, a mother of three, has been documenting her recovery from an endoscopic facelift, a procedure she underwent in Seoul, South Korea, reportedly costing $16,000. She stated her intention to be "transparent" about the surgery. However, her decision has drawn criticism from some followers who view her as a negative influence on young women. Comments on social media included sentiments like "Kind of chic not to give young women a step-by-step guide to getting a facelift" and "Can we stop normalising this?" Others questioned the early age at which women are seeking such procedures and urged young viewers to embrace their natural appearance.