Understanding the role of anti-ageing cosmetic non-surgical practices in health, gender and ageing
2024
Dr Renae Fomiatti, Dr Gemma Nourse
Anti-ageing cosmetic practices and technologies are changing how we experience health and ageing. Anti-ageing cosmetic non-surgical practices refer to a spectrum of products, practices and treatments including injectables, cosmeceutical skincare, laser and other treatments. This Australian Research Council-funded project will investigate the advertising, experience, and use of anti-ageing cosmetic practices and technologies in everyday life and in relation to changing intersections of health, beauty, ageing and gender. Through qualitative research methods, including anti-ageing cosmetic advertising analysis, interviews and photo-voice diaries with consumers and interviews with practitioners, this project expects to generate new knowledge on the relationship between anti-ageing non-surgical cosmetic practices and technologies and contemporary experiences of ageing, health, gender and the body. Expected outcomes include a high-quality knowledge base to strengthen regulation efforts and improve cosmetic and healthcare practice, as well as new knowledge on transformations in health, beauty, gender and ageing.
This project has been undertaken to learn more about:
- The meanings given to anti-ageing non-surgical cosmetic practices and technologies in digital advertising, and the scientific and medical knowledges shaping advertising claims, focusing on the areas of health, ageing and gender;
- How anti-ageing non-surgical cosmetic practices and technologies shape consumers’ experiences of ageing, health and gender, and the individual and social forces shaping the dynamics of consumption;
- Consumers’ understandings of how anti-ageing non-surgical cosmetic practices and technologies work, risks and harms to identify informational needs and preferences;
- The specific practices of anti-ageing non-surgical cosmetic practices across different settings and among different subgroups;
- The experiences of relevant practitioners, including their views on responding to new and emergent patterns of anti-ageing non-surgical cosmetic practices in Australia.
Who can take part?
The study is open to anyone aged 18 and over who resides in NSW, Vic or QLD who has accessed non-surgical cosmetic practices in the last year.
What does taking part involve?
Participation involves a confidential audio-recorded interview of about 60 minutes. The interviews will be conducted online, in person or on the telephone at a time that is convenient to you. You will be asked about:
- how skincare and cosmetic non-surgical procedures (e.g. injectables, filler, threads, PRP injections, collagen stimulation) shape your experience of ageing, health and gender
- why you access and receive these treatments
- experiences of treatment, including specific products and procedures
- informational needs and preferences
If you take part in an interview, you may also be invited to take part in a ‘photovoice’ diary, where you SMS, WhatsApp or email Dr Fomiatti audio reflections and photos in the weeks leading up to the interview. Photovoice reflections can be about anything you think is relevant buy may include reflection on non-surgical cosmetic advertising or social media, the settings where you use skincare or get treatments, how they make you feel, and how they shape your experience of health, ageing and gender.
Will I be paid for taking part?
You will be reimbursed with a $50 gift card for your time.
For further information
For more information about the study or to participate in a confidential interview, please contact Dr Renae Fomiatti on 03 9479 8702 or at r.fomiatti@latrobe.edu.au
This project is currently recruiting a PhD student. The successful applicant will collaborate with Dr Renae Fomiatti to develop a thesis project, which is able to contribute to the aims of the larger project while also reflecting the interests and aspirations of the applicant.
Funding
The study is funded by the Australian Research Council (DPXXX), and has received La Trobe University ethics approval (HEC24349)