Millie Bobby Brown, the star who captured hearts as Eleven in Stranger Things, has spent nearly a decade in the public eye since landing the role at just 12 years old. Now, at 21, the actress is facing increasing attention over her changing appearance, sparking debate about the impact of social media-driven beauty standards and cosmetic treatments on young stars.
Recently, Millie was seen leaving an Italian restaurant in Los Angeles with her younger sister, but it wasn’t just her outfit that caught fans’ attention—many were quick to comment on how much older she appeared. Some fans even mistook her for her sister’s mother, with one commenting, “Millie really looks like someone’s mom!” Another joked, “Is she 45 or 20?”
While Millie is not alone in facing criticism, other Gen Z stars such as Emma Chamberlain, Alix Earle, and Kylie Jenner have also been scrutinized for appearing older than their millennial counterparts. Experts suggest that this phenomenon is largely due to the pressure on young celebrities to maintain flawless appearances on platforms like Instagram and TikTok.
Kayti Brooks, an aesthetician at the Grey Door Therapy Clinic, explains that these stars are “morphing into each other” as they follow similar beauty trends and undergo the same cosmetic procedures. With treatments such as injectables and “tweakments” becoming commonplace, the trend of cosmetic enhancement is often shared widely on social media, with one procedure quickly followed by another.
However, these beauty trends come with risks. Brooks warns that young people may not fully appreciate the potential long-term effects of cosmetic treatments. Rather than enhancing natural beauty, excessive use of these procedures can contribute to premature aging.
Dr. Marcus Mehta, a leading aesthetic physician, echoes this sentiment, noting that early use of injectables and fillers can disrupt natural aging processes and cause complications like distorted or migrated filler. With Gen Z often exposed to filtered and edited images online, the pressure to conform to unrealistic beauty standards can lead to long-term consequences for their skin.
Another issue facing Gen Z is their skincare routines. Dr. Mehta points out that many young people are damaging their skin barriers by using harsh products like retinols and AHAs without understanding their skin’s needs. While millennials tend to embrace a more gentle approach to skincare, focusing on maintaining skin elasticity and health, Gen Z is more likely to follow trends that can cause irritation and dryness.
Millie Bobby Brown’s own appearance has sparked concern among fans. After a September photoshoot for her brand, many noted that she appeared “weighed down by fillers” and suggested she looked much older than her 21 years. While Millie’s changing look may be influenced by the pressures of fame and the beauty standards of the industry, fans remain worried about the potential toll these treatments could take on her youthful appearance.
Lifestyle choices, such as vaping, also contribute to skin health. Dr. Glyn Estebanez notes that vaping is particularly prevalent among Gen Z, and this habit can harm skin by reducing collagen production and contributing to premature aging. With vaping trends becoming popular on platforms like TikTok, the combination of lifestyle habits and cosmetic pressures is further compounding the challenge of maintaining a youthful appearance.
In contrast, millennials, often dubbed the “wellness generation,” take a more balanced approach to aging. They focus on skincare, exercise, and a healthy diet to maintain their appearance, and many embrace subtle cosmetic procedures that enhance their features without drastically altering them.
Experts urge young people to embrace natural beauty and take a mindful, long-term approach to skincare, emphasizing the importance of healthy lifestyle choices and avoiding the overuse of cosmetic procedures.
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