Women on TikTok Are "Rejecting Their Age"—But Is It Empowering or a Sexist Trap?

There’s a trend making the rounds on TikTok, and it’s not a cold plunging or tired-girl aesthetic. Instead, women are declaring that they’re “rejecting their age.” On the surface, it's harmless humor—frothy quips like “I’m not 42, I’m timeless” or the birthday candle switch-a-roo that reads 24 instead of 42. Some frame it as empowerment: a refusal to let a number dictate what you wear, whether that’s a mini skirt or a skydiving harness. But as Wired reported, the joke quickly curdles into something bigger: a multipronged cycle that starts with memes and ultimately feeds the booming market for youth preservation.

A 2025 American Society for Dermatologic Surgery survey found that 70 percent of U.S. consumers say they’re considering a cosmetic dermatologic procedure, and the vast majority of patients are women—93% of minimally invasive procedures in 2023 were performed on women. In 2024, more than a third of surgical cosmetic procedures were done on people 39 and younger, shifting what was once a domain of older adults toward younger brackets.

Maybe I’m just a sad sack gearing up for 40. Or maybe it’s a little disturbing to see women in their 20s and 30s already joining the chorus. Is this rejection actually freeing, or just another way of wrestling with the same old obsession? I spoke with a psychologist to help me make sense of the trend.

Dr. Stefanie Mazer Psy.D, is a licensed psychologist based in Palm Beach, Florida.  Founder of Mindwise, Inc., she offers both in-person and telepsychology services across 42 states. Her practice integrates evidence-based, psychodynamic, and relational approaches to help individuals and couples navigate anxiety, trauma, relationship stress, life transitions, and performance barriers with compassion, skill-building and authenticity.

It makes sense that any time a woman takes over her own narrative—whether it’s through her wardrobe or social activities—she can feel a sense of control. The same goes for the age rejection trend. Says Dr. Mazer: “Rejecting your age can be empowering at times because it can give a woman the opportunity to resist the societal expectations often placed on her, and to be her own person.” But as opposed to head-scratching sartorial picks or bad boyfriends, rejecting your age is a choice built on a lie. “Constantly fighting or hiding the signs of aging can become exhausting and result in anxiety, unhappiness and never feeling good enough,” Dr. Mazer shares. 

This trend didn’t just pop out of thin air—there’s a reason rejecting your age has become a topic on TikTok. Explains Dr. Mazer: “Women are often held to higher standards as it relates to their physical appearance, so visible markers of aging can directly impact their self-worth, personally and professionally.” Men are often viewed like fine wine that get “better with age.” They are given more leeway to physically age as they’re judged more by their finances and careers (also not ideal!). This difference, Dr. Mazer shares, means that many women feel more stress and self-doubt as they age, while men may feel more freedom to do so without such judgment. “The psychological impact on women can be significant, as they may feel forced to constantly manage or conceal the aging process to maintain acceptance and relevance.”

Unfortunately, social media, Dr. Mazer concedes, has a significant impact on how we view aging and self-worth. With filters and curated content, youth is put on a pedestal and flawlessness is the standard, she explains. The more we scroll, the more exposed we are to women who seemingly don’t age, and therefore the act of women aging has become an outlier rather than a natural stage in life. The obsession on social media with youth makes it difficult for any woman to separate self-esteem from ideals that dominate the screen. And, says Dr. Mazer, it makes young women just in their 20s and 30s feel invisible and worthless. 

Dr. Mazer tells me, unequivocally, it is more empowering to recognize your age but not let it define who you are or how you are valued. Easier said than done, we know. But for those of us in a social media spiral of youth and wellness, Dr. Mazer suggests a simple way to shift your mindset: Focus on holistic health. Shuffle your priorities away from the exterior and think about your whole body. “Physical health is essential to well-being at any age, and it is important to feel good about yourself. Confidence and a healthy body are the result of regular movement, balanced nutrition, and healthy sleep habits. Mental well-being is just as important, so be sure to nurture close relationships, practice self-compassion, and engage in activities that bring meaning and joy.”

And, I’m sure you’ve heard it before, but nothing does the body good like a good ole’ fashion social media detox. So if you’re going to reject anything, let it be the algorithm.