The effects of aging on the human body are not hard to miss — there is a multi-dimensional process of physical, psychological and social change.

However, the most outward changes are the ones often most easily noticed.

Some of these tell-tale signs include dark circles under the eyes, a plenitude of wrinkles, gray hair, fat deposits where there never used to be any and increasingly loose and sagging skin.

But fear not!

Both science and self-preservation rise to the occasion.

Walk down any beauty aisle in a drug store should you choose not to believe me.

These are not just your average cosmetics or pharmaceuticals.

They have their own class now — “cosmeceuticals.”

And more anti-aging products are coming out every day.

Why?

Because we repeatedly buy them, fueling the market for “new” and “better” products.

Age, for some time now, has put a powerful fear into the hearts of North Americans and others around the globe.

It is becoming a societal

obsession.

Not only is it undesirable to be old, but it is now no longer fashionable to grow old.

Although the recession has slowed us down, we’re still dishing out cash to look better.

Statistics collected by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons note that in 2008, compared to 2007, the following occurred: There were 12.1 million cosmetic procedures, an increase of 3 percent; 10.4 million minimally invasive cosmetic procedures, an increase of 5 percent; and 4.9 million reconstructive procedures performed, an increase of 3 percent.

Americans who could not

afford surgery opted for those drug store beauty aisles.

Daily, we put our trust and faith into these lotions, creams and serums, hoping they will save us from the ravages of time.

Interestingly enough, the FDA does not actually recognize the term “cosmeceutical.”

Instead, it states that “while drugs are subject to a review and approval process by FDA, cosmetics are not approved by FDA prior to sale.

If a product has drug properties, it must be approved as a drug.”

Yet “cosmeceuticals” consistently contain biologically active ingredients.

In a 2005 release, the FDA declared that its “legal authority over cosmetics is different from other products regulated by the agency, such as drugs, biologics and medical devices.

Cosmetic products and ingredients are not subject to FDA premarket approval authority, with the exception of color additives.”

Further, the agency affirms, “cosmetic firms are responsible for substantiating the safety of their products and ingredients before marketing.” And we’re supposed to be assured these conglomerates are putting our safety before their profitability?

Imagine if we were in charge of permitting our own driver’s licences — total disaster.

Yet, these huge firms are in charge of their own regulation in terms of human health?

Something is wrong with this picture.

Age, in almost any dictionary, is defined the same.

According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, aging is defined as “becoming old — showing the effects or the characteristics of increasing age.”

Old can imply outdatedness, incapability, growing out of touch with youth, restriction in terms of mental faculties or movement, altered looks and all sorts of other negative connotations.

At the end of this year, I turn 30. As I near that threshold, I can’t help feeling that I am at some sort of crossroad.

Do I start to prevent my aging by purchasing these “anti-” creams?

Based on society’s direction, this is what I am supposed to do.

But the fact of the matter is that vanity is not cheap, and aging is a part of life. If I choose my path carefully and stay as healthy as I can, then it will not matter what I look like when I reach the end of it.

And that’s peace of mind I can live with.

– Erin Mastre is a graduate student in landscape architecture from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.