Is it normal to visibly age in 7 years?

[Onecall]

I was looking at photos of myself at a wedding 7 years ago and I look completely different.

Of course I know I will have aged in that time but my skin doesn't have a single line or sag in the pictures but now I am really looking my age, with bags and jowls and wrinkles around my eyes.

Plus I have put on weight and I can't shift that half stone which isn't much but makes me feel uncomfortable and I am squeezing into my clothes at the moment.

It's normal ageing isn't it but shame I didn't appreciate how I looked then!

[NotAgainYoda]

Depending on the age, yes!. If I look at myself and my friends, the tipping point was around 45

[bigfatbumfreak]

Yes, and my eyes got bad quickly. Don’t sweat it.

[OuchBollocks]

Of course it's normal. Not to be facetious but look how much someone changes between 1 and 8, 8 and 15, 15 and 22. So of course you're going to change between 30 and 37 or whatever. Not me of course

[DottyDotAgain]

It's so weird you should start this thread because I was thinking exactly this same thing about myself this week, having looked at some photos from a few years ago! My eyes have disappeared and my face looks all baggy and I've aged hugely just in the last couple of years I think. I'm 48 and am peri-menopausal with missing periods and raging hormones so I think it's just the inevitability of this stage of life - but I'm not thrilled about it...

[HemanOrSheRa]

God yes! I'm 45 and my face has started to sag so much in the last year/18 months it looks like it's melting . And I have terrible vertical lines starting to form under my eyes.

[Jigsisaw]

Depends on the age I think. 30 to 37 no. But 40 to 47, I feel I aged a lot.

I look at myself at 40 and I look so youthful. I was really lucky. Now I look 47. Still slim and healthy with flattering colours and nice clothes blah blah blah but yeh, 47. I was used to telling people my age and they would react with surprise. Total deadpan now, if I reveal it. REcently a man who I know is 51 was fishing for my age because he imagined we were born in the same year. Grrrrr. I put that down to his own delusion.

[Onecall]

Oh I agree mid-40s is probably the tipping point.

Here's to the next seven years .

[NotAgainYoda]

Jig

Yes. I noticed that too. I look fine. I'm happy overall. but I don't look younger than I am. I look like a middle aged woman. But I'd far rather have this confidence and self esteem now than the looks I had then.

[cupofchai]

It's normal to age of course but it's still worth speaking to your doctor and maybe getting some bloods done to make sure all is ok. E.g. Thyroid, Iron, Vit D etc

[LifeIsLikeTetris]

I think I can go on looking more or less the same for a few years but periodically I seem to have a hard year and look much worse Like those bits of coastline that look the same for ages then suddenly a big chunk falls into the sea.

[BulletFox]

@ouchbollocks I like that, that's my mantra from now on :)

Ignore mirrors and photos ignore mirrors and photos...

[HemanOrSheRa]

Like those bits of coastline that look the same for ages then suddenly a big chunk falls into the sea.

I often prop up my jowls whilst staring forlornly into the mirror. I believe they are called marionette lines .

[BulletFox]

But you're a teen. It's not your fault devious devices such as cameras and mirrors are, frankly, lying.

In all seriousness I have read that you 'age' quickly every 7 years or so, so it might be suddenly apparent.

[AtlanticWaves]

I aged loads between mariage (28) and now (35) mainly because of 2 DC who don't friggin sleep. DH and I are and at the difference for both of us

[Jigsisaw]

I'm hoping it balances out. My mum has looked the same age for 15 years. She's in her 70s and looks 60 something. Not that that's any consolation. Why the hell did I type that. That cheers up nobody.

I've just had an avocado on soda bread for my breakfast. I think I have enough nutrients from food. I think I thought I'd escape ageing somehow!

[NotAgainYoda]

Atlantic

That's probably temporary. You'll get your mojo back

[CountessofGrantham]

Definitely agree with past 40. I’ve aged hugely from 39 to now at 46. I thought I was immune being overweight and so I wouldn’t get as wrinkly but hell, I’m fat and wrinkly and just generally rough looking.

[Anatidae]

God yes. The last four yeRs I’ve moved countries, had hg in pregnancy then a baby who didn’t sleep for 18m at all and a demanding job.

I look fifteen years older than I did four years ago. Grim.

[AngelsWithSilverWings]

In my 40th birthday photos I look very young and my eyes look wide open and bright. I always had big blue eyes.Now 47 and it is around my eyes that I have aged the most. My eyes barely look open when I smile for a photo now. Love a sunny day so I can hide my aged eyes behind big sunglasses!

[CountessofGrantham]

Yes! I also had have big blue eyes and now I have little piggy eyes . They were the only good thing about me.

[SukiTheDog]

Yes. I’m afraid so. I’m 55 and felt I was “getting away with it nicely”. Menopause has sucked the life out of me but now, on the other side I’ve got a new found “ah bollocks to it” attitude. I still do my face but, the expectation to be a certain way/look a certain way? I’ve relieved myself of that!

My figure has lost its contour and I don’t want to work harder than walking the dog through the fields twice a day. I did the gym/running in my 20’s 30’s and 40’s. Now, I love my muddy walks with the dog and I don’t want to sweat it out in an air conditioned room. I know women who do. A friend of mine looks amazing and she’s 3 years older than I. But my god, she works so hard at it. Eats like a bird and has regular and expensive treatments.

I think there’s a massive shift physically (so, face and body and energy levels) over 5 to 7 year intervals. OP, there’s stuff you can do. Keep up with good, basic skincare; cut down/out alcohol if you drink it; exercise - get some brisk walking done in the fresh air; get some advice at the counters on what’s best for your skin makeup-wise (if you wear it). Foundation probably isn’t your best friend now. Try a light tinted moisturiser (Laura Mercier isn’t a bestseller for nothing 😊) and cream blusher.

And enjoy the process.... you’re only going “one way” ... We all are!

[lollipop7]

Normal.

Soon the be three children in four years has done it to me 👵🏻

If someone tells me I look nice I smile and say "it's all scaffolding"

[rightknockered]

40s here and I have good and bad days. I find that smiling and finding something to laugh about is a huge tonic, I know that sounds trite but it is actually true. Also yoga relaxes the mind, and stretches the body. I work out a lot, but mostly because I enjoy it and feel better afterwards.
As far as my face is concerned, a good dewy foundation, blusher and a little highlighter, helps.

[rightknockered]

And I wear sunglasses winter and summer. A little glimmer of sun is all the excuse I need

[rightknockered]

And don't get photographed looking down, ugh