10 Years Younger (American TV series)

Did You Know?

• The show first aired on December 1, 2004 and ran until 2005 when it went on a hiatus.
• The show returned on January 7, 2008 with a revamped cast, with only make-up artist Damone Roberts returning from the previous cast and Mark Montano from While You Were Out as the host.
• In August 2008 the fourth season began shooting, to air later in the year, with Kyan Douglas as the new host.

The steps of 10YY

Each episode of the series starts by introducing a participant and explaining why they appear older than their actual years. The person then steps into a soundproof, clear display case placed on a busy street. The host asks one hundred strangers to guess the participant’s age, and the average of those guesses becomes the age the show aims to beat. The goal is to make the participant look ten years younger than that average, not their real age.

Next, the participant visits several specialists for non-surgical cosmetic treatments. Common procedures include teeth straightening, reshaping, and whitening; LASIK or other eye surgeries for those who wear glasses or have poor vision; and dermatological work ranging from microdermabrasion to Botox. Occasionally, a trainer or career advisor is also brought in. After these steps, the participant meets the “Glam Squad,” which consists of a hair stylist, makeup artist, and fashion stylist. To keep the final look a surprise, the participant is not allowed to see their hair or makeup until the big reveal.

Once the makeover is finished, the Glam Squad and a family member gather for the reveal. The participant is shown a life-sized photo of themselves from before the transformation. That photo is then removed to reveal a mirror, letting them see their new appearance for the first time, which often leads to an emotional reaction.

Finally, the participant returns to the box for the verdict. Another group of one hundred people guesses their age, and the average is announced. This final average is always lower than the first, usually by at least ten years, matching the show’s target. However, there have been a few episodes where the ten-year improvement was not achieved.