New kids in the class. Let's watch and discuss, Star Trek: The Next Generation

[Ionathus]

Well sure when the aging makeup is make the actor appear as a different person. Otherwise it’s always over the top.

Of course it's going to seem over the top if done to an established character. It's the same reason my friend's kid can get scared of him if he shaves his beard off: you get used to a person's face being a certain way, and a significant change is going to be jarring.

A new character with aging makeup is the only version of their face we know, and doesn't have that disadvantage.