The latest trend to hit social media is how-old.net, a website which uses “state-of-the-art, cloud-based algorithms” to calculate a person’s age and gender from a photo upload.
The website has exceeded developers’ expectations with over 35,000 hits in the first few hours and more than 15,000 tweets featuring the #HowOldRobot hashtag posted within 24 hours of the website’s launch.
Many people have been thrilled with the results, as the algorithm has calculated their age a decade or two younger than their real age – and many thousands have been quick to post them on facebook, twitter, instagram and the like.
The Daily Express shows that some famous faces have had great results – our Queen comes out at 65 (real age 89), David Tennant 29 (real age 44).
However, the results are not great for everyone. David Cameron’s age was calculated to be 54 (real age 48).
The standard disclaimer message:
“Sorry if we didn’t quite get the age and gender right, we are still improving this feature”
…is of little consolation to those who consistently get graded older than they really are. Getting a higher age prediction is demoralising and depressing, especially when others seem to do so much better.
The how-old.net is expected to take selfie-grooming to a new level. Having the ‘independent verdict’ on how you look can be a challenge and nobody in their 40’s wants to be told that they look 60+.
Aesthetic treatment provider SkinViva say that the bare-faced selfie charity trend previously generated a noticeable increase in the number of enquiries as people wanted to look good without makeup.
Now the company is experiencing a surge in enquiries from patients whose use of the how-old website make them want to do something about their appearance.
Clinical Director Dr Tim Pearce MB ChB BSc (Hons) MRCGP explained why patients are now citing how they look in photos as a reason for seeking non-surgical skin treatments:
“Selfies and social media mean that it is no longer just the celebs that live their lives in public. Seeing our own photos on the internet we are forced to pay extra attention to our appearance and it is only natural to compare to those of your friends and family.”
“I have seen a number of patients for whom seeing their own photos online was a kind of tipping point or a revelation, enabling them to identify their flaws and seek assistance in the form of a few well-chosen skin treatments to help them look better in photos and feel better about themselves – with and without makeup. It is rarely the only reason for seeking treatment. However, it has been for some a useful catalyst in helping them to identify issues that troubled them, even showing their photos to clinicians in a consultation to illustrate the areas of concern.”
The number one choice of anti-ageing treatment is Botox anti-wrinkle injections. These work to tackle the signs of ageing – namely lines and wrinkles – by relaxing the fine facial muscle movements to allow skin to drape more smoothly, gently erasing those signs of age. Treatment is especially effective on the forehead and laughter lines (crow’s feet). Done correctly, these need not look false or frozen, but can be almost immediately rejuvenating.”
Dermal fillers are another popular option. Like Botox, this is an injectable treatment, but works in a different way by have also seen a lot of enquiries, as patients choose to tackle deeper lines and creases, such as those between the nose and the mouth. Enhancing the lips for a fuller look is also popular, especially among those whose lips have been affected by regular smoking, or patients with naturally thin lips which can look out of balance in a photograph.”
SkinViva offer free consultations at their main clinic in Manchester and also at an extensive choice of conveniently located locations across the North West, including Cheshire, Derbyshire, Lancashire, Manchester, Stockport and Bury. A consultation is always required prior to any cosmetic treatment and this is arranged with an experienced aesthetic medical professional, who would be able to carry out treatment at the same appointment if required.
For further information or to arrange a confidential consultation with a cosmetic doctor or dentist, please call 0161 865 1141, email contact@skinviva.com.
Leave a Reply