This study aimed to investigate the effects of a beauty program on the self-perception of aging and depression among the community-dwelling older adults in an agricultural area in Taiwan. Twenty-nine older adults aged 65 and above in one agricultural community care center completed the program. Based on cosmetic therapy, the beauty program consisted of 13 sessions focused on facial skin care, make-up application, and massage with essential oils. Each 90 min session of the program was conducted in groups once a week for 13 weeks. This study applied the mixed methods approach, and data were gathered through questionnaire surveys, interviews, and observation. Before and after the beauty program, the elderly individuals' self-perceptions of aging and depression were assessed using the Attitudes towards Old People Scale (ATOPS) and Taiwanese Depression Questionnaire (TDQ), respectively. The participants' ATOPS scores after the program were significantly higher than those examined before the program (p < 0.001), and their TDQ scores were significantly lower than those before the program (p < 0.001). Additionally, the participants' body images were improved, the participants disrupted their stereotypes about makeup, and they were willing to gradually maintain their appearance. Overall, the beauty program was effective for enhancing the self-perceptions of aging and reducing depression in older adults in rural Taiwan. Further research with a larger population of older individuals, male older adults, or frail older adults is needed to examine the specific effects of the beauty program.
Keywords: beauty program; beauty therapy; depression; health promotion; older adults; rural area; self-perception of aging.