The Truth About Anti-Ageing: Kathryn Thomas on Cosmetic Procedures and the Pressure to Look Younger

TV presenter Kathryn Thomas has explored the complexities and physical realities of the anti-ageing industry in a new documentary for RTÉ One titled Young Forever: The Death of Ageing?

The program, which aired on Monday, April 13, 2026, provides a detailed look at the medical procedures used to combat the signs of ageing, ranging from minimally invasive neurotoxins to major surgical interventions.

Inside the Anti-Ageing Industry

The documentary features an unflinching look at cosmetic surgery, including a sequence filmed in an operating theatre at the Mater Private Hospital in Dublin. Thomas observes cosmetic surgeon Richard Hanson performing a deep plane facelift.

During the procedure, Hanson demonstrates the anatomical complexities of the face, pointing out the nerves that supply facial expressions and warning that damage to these white little stringy things can prevent a patient from being able to smile.

The film includes testimony from patients, such as 55-year-old dentist Ciara Carroll, who expressed satisfaction with her results, stating that she looks like herself again rather than the old woman she previously saw in the mirror.

Personal Revelations and Professional Pressure

At 47, Kathryn Thomas uses the documentary to be frank about the pressures facing women in the public eye to maintain a youthful appearance. As part of the production, Thomas filmed herself receiving Botox injections.

Thomas admitted to receiving Botox injections in her forehead twice a year, though she noted that her doctor believes this frequency should be increased to three annual visits.

She acknowledged that she did not admit to these procedures in the beginning, stating, I know it’s not for everybody.

Clinical Perspectives on Ageing

The documentary highlights the immediate goals of these procedures. During the filming of the facelift, Richard Hanson noted that the objective was to take 10 or 15 years off the patient’s appearance in a matter of minutes.

The program’s approach is described as thought-provoking and visual, though some reports warn that the surgical footage may be too graphic for squeamish viewers.

By combining her own experiences with medical demonstrations and patient interviews, Thomas examines the tension between the desire to look younger and the reality of the medical interventions required to achieve that goal.