Body Image Challenges Are Not Just a Youth Issue
Aesthetic practitioners often see first-hand how body image concerns extend far beyond the stereotypical demographic of young adults chasing unattainable beauty standards. Increasingly, our practitioner partners are working with patients in mid-life and beyond — people for whom body image concerns are just as real, but shaped by different pressures: ageing, health changes, hormonal shifts, and long-term weight management struggles.
Research by the Mental Health Foundation (UK) confirms what many practitioners already know anecdotally: poor body image affects people across the lifespan, including those in later life. Their 2024 report, Body Image in Later Life, highlights that:
“One in five people aged 55 and over said that their body image negatively affected their mental health ‘often’ or ‘always’.”
Additionally, 35% of adults aged 55+ said they “felt pressure from the media or advertising to look a certain way” — a figure rising to 43% in women specifically.[1]
This is critical context for cosmetic clinics and medispas: we are not simply delivering aesthetic outcomes — we are increasingly becoming partners in our patients’ emotional well-being and confidence at every stage of life.
The Role of Circumferential Reduction Technologies
This evolving patient landscape presents both an opportunity and a responsibility for practitioners. Not every patient is seeking dramatic transformation. Many — especially in the 40+ demographic — want subtle, healthy improvements that align with their wellness goals, not just their appearance.
Circumferential reduction — specifically non-invasive body contouring — is uniquely positioned to meet this need.
However, not all technologies deliver equal benefits or patient experiences. Key concerns raised by both patients and practitioners include:
- Risk of volume loss in critical facial fat pads (leading to an aged or hollow appearance)
- Extended downtime or discomfort
- Surgical risk profiles that feel disproportionate to the concern being treated
- Aesthetic outcomes that appear unnatural
Emerald Laser: A Clinically Proven, Low-Risk Solution
Emerald Laser is a non-surgical, low-level laser therapy (LLLT) system that delivers circumferential reduction through the use of specific green laser wavelengths. Its mechanism targets fat cells without destroying or damaging surrounding tissue or triggering inflammatory responses often associated with earlier energy-based devices.
Clinical studies have demonstrated statistically significant circumferential reduction across multiple body areas in patients up to BMI of 40 — without invasive procedures, thermal injury, or tissue trauma.[2] Importantly, no adverse outcomes have been reported.
Key differentiators for practitioners include:
- No impact on facial fat pads — as treatment is localised to body areas and does not involve systemic fat loss or lipolysis that can inadvertently alter facial volume.
- No downtime — patients return to daily activity immediately post-treatment.
- No reported adverse events of note in peer-reviewed studies — a low-risk profile that aligns with the expectations of a mature, health-conscious patient base.
Body Image, Health and Patient-Centred Care
For practitioners, integrating technologies like Emerald Laser is not just about adding another treatment modality — it’s about aligning with a broader shift in patient values.
The Mental Health Foundation UK report also emphasises that body image challenges in later life are often tied to health conditions, physical limitations, or previous weight cycling.
“Body image in later life is strongly linked to physical health, experiences of illness, and changes in mobility or strength.”[1]
This reinforces the importance of offering non-invasive, non-disruptive solutions that support physical and emotional well-being — not just aesthetics.
Emerald Laser fits within this framework, allowing clinics to position their services around body confidence, healthy ageing, and wellness-led care — not aggressive transformation or unrealistic perfection.
A Shift Toward Ethical Body Contouring
The body image conversation in aesthetics is evolving — especially among educated, discerning patient cohorts in Australia and New Zealand.
Practitioners are increasingly being asked to balance efficacy with ethics:
- How can we deliver meaningful results without contributing to harmful beauty narratives?
- How do we support body positivity while offering body improvement services?
- How do we protect our patients’ long-term aesthetic and emotional health?
Non-surgical circumferential reduction with Emerald Laser provides a compelling answer. It allows clinics to:
- Empower patients of all ages and a wide range of BMI to feel more comfortable in their bodies
- Offer visible, measurable improvements without dramatic change
- Support confidence without compromising safety
- Expand their patient base to include those previously reluctant to engage in aesthetic services due to surgical fears
Conclusion
As cosmetic practitioners, the support that can be offered to patients is expanding. Body image is no longer just a conversation about looks — it is intrinsically linked to health, well-being, and confidence at every life stage.
Emerald Laser offers an evidence-based, non-invasive solution for clinics committed to ethical, patient-centred body contouring.
Its clinically proven circumferential reduction technology provides an important tool for supporting body confidence in later life — without the risks, downtime, or unintended aesthetic consequences of more invasive methods.
Contact Us for Clinical Data
For practitioners seeking to expand their treatment offering and meet the growing demand for low-risk, wellness-aligned body contouring, contact your local Emerald Laser team.
We are happy to provide detailed clinical data, discuss treatment protocols, and explore how Emerald Laser can support your patient care philosophy.
References
[1] Mental Health Foundation UK. Body Image in Later Life. 2024. https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/our-work/research/body-image-how-we-think-and-feel-about-our-bodies/body-image-later-life [2] Clinical data on file. Emerald Laser has been studied in peer-reviewed trials demonstrating statistically significant circumferential reduction without adverse events. Contact our local team for access to detailed clinical research.
