Paulina Porizkova on aging, Instagram and cosmetic procedures

Paulina Porizkova on aging, Instagram and cosmetic procedures

If you follow former supermodel Paulina Porizkova on Instagram, you know that she's a pretty open book when it comes to the app. Since 2020, she has been using the social media platform to share photos of herself (often defying stereotypes about women over 50 by doing something as simple as wearing a bikini). Her snapshots are occasionally paired with lengthy captions about topics such as aging, grief, mental health and self-image. She recently turned her thoughts into a collection of essays called "No Filter" and spoke more openly about aging and social media in a new interview with Women's Wear Daily ahead of her book's November 15 release.

Porizkova began posting on Instagram in 2020 after her husband, from whom she was separated at the time, died and the COVID-19 pandemic increased her loneliness and grief, she told the publication.

“I was suddenly a divorced woman who had no career, no way to make money and was also completely ignored by the general population, and I didn’t think that was cool because I’m actually a lot cooler now than I was 20 years ago,” said the 57-year-old. "I'm much smarter. I have more patience. I'm more intellectually curious. I'm more generous. Everything about me is better. But I have wrinkles and that doesn't make me ugly. I just thought that was unfair."

Jane Fonda on aging and maintaining her body with workouts

Instead of feeling invisible, Porizkova shared personal images and thoughtful captions with her newfound audience. “I didn’t know if I was going to reach one person or three people, and what happened was actually completely beyond my wildest imagination,” said Porizkova, who now has more than 830 million Instagram followers.

While she clearly resonates with millions on Instagram, the platform has also bought Porizkova some haters. However, she doesn't let it get her down, she told WWD.

“Most people I know in public will just ignore them [negative comments],” Porizkova said. "It actually stimulates my brain," she continued, noting that she tries to imagine what would make a person say such comments or think that it's OK to say these types of comments. “That encourages me to then write articles about other things.”

Helen Mirren shared her thoughts on the beauty industry and aging

As part of her effort to change the conversation about aging and women's beauty standards, Porizkova has also opened up about her thoughts on certain cosmetic procedures. She's not personally interested in injections, but likes to try stimulating treatments like oxygen facials and facial yoga, according to WWD. “I just want a little subtle help,” she explained. "I don't want anything drastic. I don't want to eliminate my age. I just want to look as good as I can given the limitations."

Porizkova has certainly met millions of people simply by embracing who she is. While you wait for the release of her new book, you can read more of her candid thoughts and see her inspiring photos on her Instagram. (Next up: Courteney Cox got serious about menopause).