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Philly native discusses the 'Allure' of anti-aging to movie star super-heroines

The stars of "X-Men" and "Thor: Ragnarok" say they support aging naturally, but will they succumb to the pressures of Hollywood?

Halle Berry arrives at the 2nd Annual "Dear Mama: An Event To Honor Moms" on Saturday, May 6, 2017, in Pasadena, Calif.
Halle Berry arrives at the 2nd Annual "Dear Mama: An Event To Honor Moms" on Saturday, May 6, 2017, in Pasadena, Calif.Read moreWilly Sanjuan/Invision/AP

"Allure" magazine made headlines this past week when they announced that they will no longer use the term "anti-aging" in their stories.

"This issue is the long-awaited, utterly necessary celebration of growing into your own skin – wrinkles and all," said the magazine in it's latest issue. "No one is suggesting giving up retinol. But changing the way we think about aging starts with changing the way we talk about aging."

"With that in  mind, and starting with this issue, we are making a resolution to stop using the term 'anti-aging'. Whether we know it or not, we're subtly reinforcing the message that aging is a condition we need to battle — think antianxiety meds, antivirus software or antifungal spray."

The issue for actresses, especially with movies featuring non-aging superheroes staying so popular, is how to stay relevant and in the game.

In the piece, "Allure" also included quotes from past and present stars like "X-Men" star Halle Berry, who is quoted as saying, "When you see everybody around you doing it, you have those moments when you think, to stay alive in this business, do I need to do the same thing? I won't lie and tell you that those things don't cross my mind, because somebody is always suggesting it to me. 'You know, if you just did a little bit of this and that, lift this up, then this would be a little bit better.' It's almost like crack that people are trying to push on you. That's what I feel like. I just have kept reminding myself that beauty really is as beauty does, and it is not so much about my physical self. Aging is natural, and that's going to happen to all of us…. I just want to always look like myself, even if that's an older version of myself. I think when you do too much of that cosmetic stuff, you become somebody else in a way."

Cate Blanchett (the upcoming Thor: Ragnarok), says in  the article, "I haven't done anything, but who knows. When you've had children, your body changes; there's history to it. I like the evolution of that history; I'm fortunate to be with somebody who likes the evolution of that history. I think it's important to not eradicate it. I look at someone's face and I see the work before I see the person. I personally don't think people look better when they do it; they just look different. You're certainly not staving off the inevitable. And if you're doing it out of fear, that fear's still going to be seen through your eyes. The windows to your soul, they say."

However, Philly native Ronald Klatz, who has been called the "guru of anti-aging" by "Business Week" and is the President of The Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine, said that "Allure" and the celebrities have a misunderstanding of what anti-aging is.

"First of all, let me applaud the 29 celebrities in the 'Allure' magazine online article, for living – or having lived – a life that seems to be healthy and that adheres to anti-aging principles," said Klatz. "These would include healthy eating, proper amount of exercise, likely buying natural foods and being blessed with great genetics. "

"Unfortunately, being blessed with great genetics alone does not always help someone stay beautiful as they circle the sun more than 40 times," he continued. "You have to believe that, although age is inevitable, it is not the only factor that causes your body to deteriorate and grow older."

"Look at Cindy Crawford," he added. "I doubt very many seniors in high school would refuse to take Cindy to the prom! Even though she is blessed with better genetics than most of us, I am sure she engages in plenty of exercise to keep her body young and healthy and combat the effects of aging."

"I certainly don't believe in unnecessary plastic surgery, hormonal therapies that are not supervised, or stem cell therapies at the beauty shop or overzealous and completely false claims by creams and other products that claim to be anti-aging," Klatz said. "Anti-aging should not be a buzzword. Instead, I believe that credible non-commercial information should be used as a tool to combat ignorance and protect consumers."

"Anti-aging is about living healthy and inner beauty", he added. "It isn't about cosmetic surgery, solely enhancing our appearance or trying to live forever. It is about getting older with a better quality of life – and slowing down and in some cases defeating disease."

While Klatz is pleased that "Allure" is acknowledging the issue, he said, "Magazines such as 'Allure' hardly focus on or promote inner beauty. They focus on outward appearance, pushing cosmetic goods, promote unbelievably attractive celebrities and models and then have the gall to take shots at botox for helping millions of people try to look and feel a little better."

"Unfortunately, magazines like 'Allure' give young women unrealistic expectations on a daily basis," Klatz concluded. "They make people feel that they have to look like Halle Berry or Jennifer Aniston to be beautiful – and that's simply not true! You just need to live an anti-aging lifestyle!"