Age might just be a number, but with advanced beauty treatments, intricate skincare rituals, and refined plastic surgeries, determining a person’s age by appearance is becoming increasingly challenging.

In the ’90s, individuals in their thirties had a distinct look. However, with today’s age-defying procedures and contemporary makeup techniques, distinguishing age has become more complex.

On TikTok, members of Gen Z often express amazement upon learning a celebrity is in their thirties. For instance, many were astonished to discover that Bridgerton actress Nicola Coughlan is 37 years old.

In March, fans were left stunned over Anne Hathaway’s youthful appearance after the 42-year-old showed off her stunning glow at the Moncler Grenoble Fall/Winter 2025 Show, with the actress throwing people into a tailspin thanks to her flawless skin.

And in May, Kris Jenner – who is almost 70 – debuted a new look that left fans gushing that she appeared decades younger.

Social media has certainly changed the perception of what middle-age should look like. 

In the past, TV shows like Cheers or Seinfeld very painted a different image of what a person in this 30s looks like, with many of the characters appearing much older than what it is perceived today of people in their 30s.

‘The perception of 30 has changed because cosmetic procedures have become normalized, especially on social media,’ Dr. Ann Monis, a Clinical and Forensic Psychologist at Medical Anti-Aging told the Daily Mail about the phenomenon. 

‘[Influencers and public figures are sharing] their injectables, skin treatments and surgical tweaks,’ Dr. Monis explained. ‘That constant visibility shifts what we think is typical for 30.’ 

Dr. Monis added that the shift isn’t just cultural, but psychological as well. 

‘This is happening because repetition changes how the brain sets expectations,’ the medical professional explained. 

‘When someone sees the same kind of edited or altered face over and over, the brain will then start treating that image as the baseline. It becomes the new “normal” even though it is not natural or accurate.’

She said in the past, people tried to dial back the clock all at once, whereas now, due to a combination of accessibility and new procedures, the change is happening slowly and from an earlier age. 

‘What used to be considered early signs of aging is now something people feel they need to erase before it fully appears,’ Dr. Monis pointed out. 

Dr. Joshua Korman, a board-certified plastic surgeon and founder of Korman Plastic Surgery, based in Northern California, agreed, noting that ’30 years ago, 50 really was kind of middle age.’

‘I think a lot of times middle age may be 70 now,’ Dr. Korman, who has worked as a plastic surgeon for 30 years, continued. 

Dr. Korman claimed the ideal face of a 30-year-old is: ‘No pimples and no wrinkles.’

‘[People are] turning to technologies and medications to make the skin more rejuvenated, even at a young age, like in the 20s and as people approach 30,’ he said.

Dr. Korman shared that we age in four ways, which can be remedied through various treatments. 

‘We age with gravity, volume loss, skin texture and dynamic wrinkles, the wrinkles when we smile,’ he explained. 

‘So there’s treatments for each one of those things, and surgical stuff really deals with the gravity.’

Dr. Monis noted the normalized surgical approach to halting age has resulted in an unrealistic standard being set and normalized – something she personally has noted.

‘Patients will bring in filtered photos, not to say they want to look enhanced, but because they believe that’s how people their age actually look,’ she revealed.

Dr. Monis warned this can lead to people constantly aiming for a version of 30 that ‘is not even grounded in reality.’

‘The constant exposure to curated faces has trained people to see youth as a polished look, not a stage of life,’ she said.