90 Million use
Anti-Aging products
but not all finding satisfaction
May 13, 2004 - Not
surprisingly, Americans are concerned about the visible signs of aging
but they are misinformed about their options for help, according to a
survey released today by the National Consumers League (NCL), which also
announced new help is available on their Website.
Nearly 90 million
American consumers currently use or have used products or procedures in
an attempt to reduce their visible signs of aging. But they’re not all
satisfied; only half (53 percent) of the women who have used a drugstore
anti-aging facial product feel that it has reduced the signs of aging
and that the product was “worth it,” the survey says
The online survey of
1,343 adults aged 25 and older (1,018 women and 325 men), conducted by
Harris Interactive®, revealed that consumers don’t
completely understand who regulates the safety and efficacy of products
and procedures, but it’s not stopping them from spending money on
them.
NCL released the
survey today and announced new resources online to help educate the
millions of Americans who turn to products or procedures to make
themselves look younger. At www.nclnet.org/anti-aging,
consumers can take a self-quiz to determine what type of treatment may
be right for them, as well as learn about the differences in government
regulation between cosmetics and drugs.
“Our survey
results are cause for concern because they demonstrate that consumers,
even those who think they’re in-the-know about anti-aging products and
procedures, have much to learn before they open their wallets,” says
Linda Golodner, NCL president. “Unfortunately, they’re confused
about who — if anyone — regulates products and procedures, and
they’re not even sure who can legally administer them. The bottom line
is consumers are in the dark because the majority are getting their
information from questionable sources, such as television entertainment
programs, instead of from medical professionals.”
The survey found
that the majority of consumers, while unsure of the technical details of
treatments and products used to promote a youthful appearance, find it
acceptable — and even important — to attempt to look younger. Half
of women and men agreed that a youthful appearance is an important
factor for professional success, and many agreed that it’s an
important factor in personal happiness as well.
“We live in an
increasingly age-conscious society,” said Dennis Gross, M.D., a
practicing dermatologist in
New York City
. “We’re outliving previous generations, and we want to look as
young as we feel. But before spending a fortune on new creams or gels or
undergoing a surgery with a substantial recovery time consumers need to
get realistic about their expectations, and — even more importantly
— sit down with their doctor to make the most informed decision.”
Survey Findings
A Youth-Obsessed
Culture
If they had it their way, Americans would prefer to look younger
than they actually are. For men, the “ideal” age was 36 (mean
age of men surveyed: 49); for women, the ideal age was 34 (mean age
of women surveyed: 47).
Survey respondents agreed that a youthful appearance is an important
factor for professional success (52 percent of women and 50 percent
of men). Women were more likely than men to view a youthful
appearance as an important factor in personal happiness (37 percent
of women and 28 percent of men).
Vanity: A
Personal, but Acceptable, Concern
Despite
the widespread interest in appearing young, most Americans treat
this as a private matter. The majority of both men (80 percent) and
women (56 percent) have not discussed ways to treat wrinkles or
other signs of aging with anyone.
Respondents agree that efforts to turn back the clock are more
acceptable today than it was five years ago. They even agree that
undergoing surgery or other procedures to look younger is more
acceptable today (72 percent of women and 66 percent of men),
although men and women both are more accepting of topical facial
products than they are of injection therapies or surgical
procedures. Men are more disapproving of other men who take these
measures than they are of women who do so.
Knowledge of
Anti-Aging Options
·
The majority of women claim to be at least somewhat familiar with
most anti-aging products and procedures, with nonprescription face
creams standing out: 93 percent of women and 65 percent of men claim
familiarity with over-the-counter face creams.
·
In the last year, 75 percent of women and 48 percent of men have
seen “a lot” of advertising for these anti-aging products.
·
Approximately six out of ten people products believe that the FDA
regulates whether OTC creams are safe and effective (57 percent of
women and 68 percent of men who are at least somewhat familiar with
these products). In fact, the FDA does regulate drugs, but not
cosmetics, for safety and effectiveness.
·
Over-the-counter products continue to be the most widely used
anti-aging products (used by 76 percent of women and 18 percent of
men), however the majority of people do not believe the claims made
by certain OTC brands.
Anti-Aging
Information Sources: A Questionable Bunch
The media,
particularly TV, are the most common source of information about
products and procedures to reduce the visible signs of aging.
About
three-quarters of women (72 percent) and men (77 percent) who are at
least somewhat familiar with products and procedures have learned
about them through television, which includes news and entertainment
programs, such as “Extreme Makeover.”
While
the media are the most common source of information, they also are
among the least-trusted, along with infomercials, cosmetic sales
people, beauty professionals, and the Internet.
Relatively
few women and men have learned about anti-aging procedures through a
doctor (23 percent of women and 25 percent of men).
Not
surprisingly, the public most trusts their primary doctor,
dermatologist, or plastic surgeon as a source of information.
About the Survey
This survey was
conducted online within the
United States
between March 29 and
April 9, 2004
among a nationwide cross section of 1,018 women and 325 men aged 25 and
older. Figures for age, sex, race, education and income were
weighted where necessary to bring them into line with their actual
proportions in the population. "Propensity score" weighting
was also used to adjust for respondents’ propensity to be online.
In theory, with
probability samples of this size, one could say with 95 percent
certainty that the results have a statistical precision of ±3
percentage points for the overall sample of what they would be if the
entire
U.S.
adult (aged 25+) population had been polled with complete accuracy.
It is impossible to quantify the errors that may result from these
factors. This online sample is not a probability sample.
Complete survey
results, a self-quiz for consumers, “Products to Turn Back the Clock:
What’s Right for You,” and other resources are available at www.nclnet.org.
About NCL
The National
Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America's pioneer consumer
organization. Our mission is to identify, protect, represent, and
advance the economic and social interests of consumers and workers. NCL
is a private, nonprofit membership organization. For more information,
visit www.nclnet.org.
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