SÃO PAULO — A growing fear of aging among Brazil's Generation Z (born 1997–2012) is fueling an earlier pursuit of aesthetic procedures and rigorous self-care routines, driven by constant exposure to social media and edited images, according to a report by Folha de S.Paulo.
Insurance broker Raffael Brasil, 27, exemplifies the trend: he follows a daily regimen of supplements, trains on an empty stomach, and receives botulinum toxin injections every six months. By age 24, he had already undergone microneedling, biostimulators, and fillers — a combination he admits left him with an artificial appearance.
Communicator and doctoral candidate Vanessa Rozan attributes the phenomenon to "Snapchat dysmorphia," a distortion of self-image intensified by digital filters. Gerontologist Alexandre Kalache adds that generational distancing — young people interacting less with older adults — makes aging seem more frightening and unfamiliar.
Data from the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery confirms the global trend: Botox applications among people aged 18–34 grew 29.9% between 2018 and 2024, reaching 1.7 million procedures. In Brazil, specialists report steady growth, particularly among young people and men.
Dermatologist Sylvia Ypiranga notes a positive side — increased adherence to sunscreen use — but says many decisions are driven by appearance rather than medical necessity.
Source: Read the original report | Published: April 29, 2026