Millennials ‘alarmed’ by people in their teens and 20s saying they ‘want to die’ at age 30 because they ‘can’t hack’ becoming ‘unattractive hags’ – and compare Gen Z ageing fears to noughties panic over gaining weight

For some, turning 30 meant getting family and friends together for a big party, or going on that once-in-a-life time trip they had always wanted to experience.

But reaching the milestone has apparently become somewhat terrifying for Generation Z, those born between 1998 and 2012, as they fear becoming ‘unattractive hags’.

That’s according to a recent Reddit thread, in which millennials and those older have become alarmed by the younger generation’s horror at celebrating their 30th.

‘Gen Z’s fear of aging is alarming,’ wrote the poster, saying that they had seen ‘multiple Gen Zs on various platforms express a desire to unalive in their 30s or when they reach 40 because they cannot handle the fact that they will age [and] become unattractive.’

It comes after experts told FEMAIL how pressure to use ‘wrong’ skincare too young, vaping and getting Botox in their early 20s means Gen Z look older than those in their 30s.

Taking to Reddit a few weeks ago, one person wrote: ‘In just the past few days, I have seen multiple Gen Zs (the vast majority women) on various platforms including Reddit and Instagram express a desire to unalive in their 30s or when they reach 40 because they cannot handle the fact that they will age, “become unattractive,” “become hags,” etc. 

‘Some even expressed not bothering with healthy eating habits, saving money, or planning on having careers because they feel so strongly about this. 

‘I don’t think this is necessarily our fault, but I do see (and recognise in myself) a fear of aging, and instead of psychologically and socially trying to combat this, we simply turn to consumerism to try and “fix the problem.” 

‘We need to do better, for ourselves and for younger generations. Skincare should be something we do to prevent cancer and to make us feel good, not another tool to try fit into a patriarchal mould.’

Taking to the comments, several people agreed with the original poster, with one person saying: ‘I feel like aging to Z is what “being fat” was to millennials. Remember how ruthless the media/everyone was about that?’

Another individual wrote: ‘People glorify being in your 20’s way too much. Ultimately it’s just one decade and it doesn’t last long.’

But others suggested that they didn’t have much sympathy for any Gen Z who were referring to anyone as ‘hags’.

‘”We” don’t need to do anything. They’re terminally online and reinforcing it among themselves,’ one person insisted.

‘I don’t feel bad for people that put other women down by using words like “hag” unironically (and many of them call people over 25 hags).’

‘Agreed,’ said another. ‘If a young woman spends her time mocking and spreading hatred for women older than her, I have no sympathy for her when it backfires because she hit 30.

‘I do have time for younger women who see that rhetoric from others and feel scared or insecure. I don’t mind giving those women some reassurance. 

‘But the 24-year-old who calls me a hag and then gets stressed she’s got less than 10 years until she’s in the same position? Nah.’

Meanwhile, one person joked that ‘Gen Z has a fear of literally everything,’ adding: ‘Never seen a group of people with more anxiety.’

‘I feel like every generation was that overly dramatic about aging. Then it happens and you grow up, and it’s not as bad or dramatic,’ insisted another social media user.

It comes after experts explained to FEMAIL why Gen Z look older than those in their 30s.

Healthier diets, better knowledge of skincare and improvement in make-up means those born between 1980 and 1997 appear more youthful than older generations did at the same age.

But surprisingly, the trend hasn’t continued to Generation Z, who are ageing differently to those above them.

While millennials learned how to use good skincare techniques in their late teens and 20s, Gen Z may have been overexposed to the techniques and started using products incorrectly, causing them to age prematurely, a number of experts have revealed to FEMAIL.

Aesthetics experts have explained that using the love of vaping, exposure to blue light and getting tweakments too young are also a reason celebrities and influencers in their late teens and early twenties look decades older than those in the past.

‘Overuse or unnecessary application of filler and toxins at a young age may affect the natural facial development, causing younger patients to look older than they are,’ celebrity cosmetics doctor Dr Rasha Rakhshani-Moghadam told FEMAIL.

‘Millennials generally have a heightened awareness of skincare and diet, compared to previous generations, often incorporating a more holistic approach to well-being. This shift involves a greater emphasis on preventive skincare practices and a focus on balanced diets.’

The phenomenon has been noted by writers and many social media users, with TikTok often debating ‘why millennials look younger than Gen Z’.

‘Why don’t millennials age,’ has more than 20 million views on TikTok. Quora and Reddit is filled with conspiracies about why millennials looks so young.

Hundreds of people have taken to X, formerly known as Twitter, to pose the question.

Some have joked it’s because ‘millennials have depression so go outside less’ meaning their skin isn’t exposed to the sun, while others have said growing up around social media and camera phones means millennials are more image conscious than generations before, keeping them more youthful.

Gen Z’s ageing could in part be due to higher nicotine consumption in their teens and early 20s.

‘Millenials age differently from this oldest generation and the newest generation, Gen Z Tiktok star Jordan the Stallion says.

‘Millennials look way too old for their age or way too young. The newest generation all look too old,’ he explains in a now viral video. 

His comments were full of people saying the same thing: ‘We don’t age because we take naps and we have a morbid sense of humour lol we laugh at everything,’ said one.

‘It is not uncommon to see 18-year-olds with lip filler,’ Dr Ross Perry, medical director of Cosmedics Skin Clinics, told FEMAIL.

’20-year-olds are having Botox and fillers, semi-permanent make-up in the form of eyebrows and lips, all of which combined can make you appear older, but actually once you start down this route, it’s very hard to go back to being entirely natural, especially when the ‘affirmations’ start on social media.

‘Combined with lifestyle and environmental factors, for example, it’s become “fashionable” to have a tan again, so statistics have told us the use of sunbeds are on the rise, again not only are you putting yourself at risk of skin cancer further down the line, but also premature ageing will be happening far quicker.’

Amish Patel, award-winning aesthetics practitioner & skincare expert at Intrigue Cosmetic Clinic, added: ‘We know that lifestyle choices also have an impact on the ageing process- vaping, smoking, drinking excess alcohol, eating a poor diet, not wearing a high SPF all affect your skin, so if you are starting to develop bad lifestyle choices from a younger age, it makes sense that you are not going to age well into your thirties and above. Developing good skin care habits is important, but these don’t have to be overly complicated or expensive for Gen Zers.

‘The exaggerated trend for overfilled cheeks and lips also distorts the face and masks the natural youthfulness you possess in your twenties. In fact, it can make you look a lot older than you actually are. ‘

Dr Sophie Shotter, who runs Medical Cosmetic Skin Clinic in London, added that it’s down to ‘lifestyle and beauty trends’ that are prematurely ageing Gen Z.

‘We can’t necessarily say if this reflects in their actual biological age, but certainly in their appearance.

‘I think, perhaps having wrinkle relaxing injectables and fillers too young and embarking on an approach that homogenises faces is partly responsible, especially with the reality TV and influencer cohort of celebrities. 

‘There’s a right age to embark on treatments, and for most people it isn’t before the age of 30 for age management reasons. 

‘There are very few people under this age who will truly benefit from wrinkle relaxing injections at younger ages, although there are some and it has to be decided on a case by case basis. 

‘Having these treatments before they’re truly needed can sometimes make someone appear older (in the wrong hands) with an almost mask like appearance,’ she added.

Meanwhile, children as young as seven are now becoming influencers and sharing their beauty routines, with experts saying skincare is not a luxury but a ‘part of daily life’.

Perhaps the most famous Gen Alpha influencers are North West, 10, and Penelope Disick, 11, who regularly share their skincare routines with their millions of followers.

Dr Saniyya Mahmood, Aesthetic Doctor & Medical Director of Aesthetica Medical Clinic added: ‘Young people are increasingly incorporating anti-ageing products and treatments into their beauty regimes these days. Make up trends have a big impact on teenagers looking a lot older. 

‘Taking care of our skin from an early age will lead to healthier skin for the long term. However it is important to understand what products teenagers are using and why they are using these products. 

‘A 14-year-old for example doesn’t require a complicated skin regime, definitely nothing that is anti -ageing at the age. Using a gentle cleanser, moisturiser and SPF is more than enough for most teenagers.’