Aging Well: Beyond Wrinkles & the Fountain of Youth

Discussions surrounding wrinkles, cosmetic procedures, and the pursuit of youthfulness are increasingly common. Simultaneously, global life expectancies are at an all-time high. But is 'aging well' simply about resisting the natural process, or is there more to it?

The Pursuit of Reversal: Bryan Johnson's Extreme Approach

American tech entrepreneur Bryan Johnson embodies a relentless pursuit of slowing aging. He reportedly spends approximately $2 million annually on anti-aging treatments and has gained notoriety for his rigorous daily routine. His goal is to halt his body’s natural response to time and gravity.

Johnson’s regimen includes extensive gym workouts, intermittent fasting, red light therapy, and consuming over 100 supplements daily. He even controversially participated in trigenerational blood transfusions, receiving plasma from his 17-year-old son and donating to his 70-year-old father. In 2025, Johnson claimed to have slowed his biological aging to the point of effectively having a birthday only every 19 months.

A Historical Perspective: The Wellcome Collection's “The Coming of Age”

While Johnson’s approach may seem futuristic, the desire to combat aging is not new. Curator Shamita Sharmacharja explores this history in her latest exhibition, “The Coming of Age,” at London’s Wellcome Collection. The show features over 120 artworks and objects spanning five centuries, examining the realities of growing older – from its joys and freedoms to its accompanying anxieties and illnesses.

From Medieval Baths to Modern Serums

The exhibition includes 19th-century anti-aging pills, biologist Charles Darwin’s walking stick, and self-portraits by photographer John Coplans taken in his sixties. Sharmacharja noted that people often react to the topic of aging with resignation, stating, “it comes for us all.” This response prompted her to explore “where our attitudes to aging come from.”

A 1536 woodcut depicts elderly individuals bathing in a spring, emerging rejuvenated – a historical parallel to modern “Fountain of Youth” beauty products and clinics. The exhibition demonstrates that the obsession with reversing aging has a long and enduring history.

Shifting Beauty Standards and Rising Life Expectancy

Discussions about aging are increasingly charged, with wrinkles and signs of aging becoming “demonized.” This has led to a rise in cosmetic procedures, even among younger demographics – those in their 30s and even 20s. The concept of a “forever 35” face is gaining traction, challenging the natural progression of aging.

However, rising life expectancies present new challenges. A longer life doesn’t automatically equate to a happier one, as financial stability significantly impacts both the rate of aging and overall quality of life. Wealth is inextricably linked to health.

Inequality and the Pandemic's Impact

The Covid-19 pandemic highlighted existing health inequalities, particularly regarding age. Sharmacharja observed that older individuals were often discussed solely in terms of “vulnerability and responsibility.” The pandemic also exposed how pre-existing disparities widened with age, disproportionately affecting lower-income communities and ethnic minorities.

Defining Aging Well: A Multifaceted Concept

The exhibition aims to balance challenging ageism with acknowledging the real experiences of mid-life anxiety, illness, and caregiving responsibilities. Works like Elinor Carucci’s photography series, documenting the first signs of aging, and Paula Rego’s self-portraits created after a fall, offer poignant reflections on the aging process.

The exhibition showcases diverse perspectives, from Louis Bourgeois’s mischievous spirit at age 70 to Gisèle Lalonde’s embrace of her “hag hair” and Diana Kaumba’s empowering fashion shoot with her grandmother. Ultimately, aging well means different things to different people – whether it’s pursuing extreme self-preservation, finding self-acceptance, or achieving financial security.

Sharmacharja concluded that researching the exhibition provided a more realistic view of aging, recognizing that each stage of life is shaped by the stories we tell about it.