While many women are happy to show off their hundredth swimsuit photo on Instagram and share which hairdresser and nail salon they frequent, there seems to be something of a taboo cloud hanging over all and any disclosure regarding invasive and non-invasive cosmetic procedures. Indeed, while I know of several people that have had Botox or fillers, when I discreetly quizzed them about why they weren’t more open about their procedures, an unhelpful yet insightful reply I received was: “Well, I don’t want people to think I’m fake.”

Ironically, in a world where the ordinary woman in the street uses three or four filters on a photo before even letting it see the light of her social platform, seeming real is more important than ever before.

And it doesn’t stop there. While Facebook is mainly used to people-watch, and in some cases, police your friends in a way that makes Richard Attenborough look like a dribbling school boy on his first filmic rodeo, apps like Snapchat and Instagram offer you the supposed luxury of peering into the lives of the rich and famous as if they were sitting in your own backyard. The result: a generation of people thinking that a size zero waist and 50 holidays a year are the norm, and you’re the only loser missing out on the 24-hour party.

Let’s not kid ourselves into thinking that looking better doesn’t play a part in feeling better too

Of course, the more photos you see of ‘natural beauties’, the greater the urgency you feel to make yourself look younger, slimmer, and in your own head, better. It’s almost as if by looking more like someone else you will be able to feel more like yourself. Sad, isn’t it?

Well, maybe not. In a world that continuously expects us to look our best, and basic biology dispelling the myth that humans look beyond the outside before choosing a prospective mate, is it any wonder that so many of us feel inclined to get the odd nip and tuck just to help ourselves feel a bit better about a world that hasn’t shown itself to be very kind to the older woman or man?

I believe that like in all things, moderation truly is the key. Not only do I feel that these things should be discussed on a wider stage, but people shouldn’t be made to feel ashamed for trying to preserve their youth or for trying to make the best out of what they have.

Of course, I will always be the person who advocates for people working on themselves and placing more importance on their inner value than their outer, but let’s not kid ourselves into thinking that looking better doesn’t play a part in feeling better too.

My hope for the future is that an honest approach to cosmetic dermatology (and reading books) will become as acceptable as visiting the dentist: after all, if you take away the makeup, the hair dye and the false nails and eyelashes, I’m pretty sure we would all agree that, contrary to the ubiquitous hashtag, no one ‘woke up like this’.