I've lost weight but now look older. If I put some back on will I look younger?

[dollydoughnut]

I lost about 1.5 stones (from 10st 10lb to 9st 4lb)last year for my neice's wedding. I was delighted as I had tried for years without success to lose it. I have maintained the weight loss. My body looks much better and it is great to be able to feel good in my clothes.

Unfortunately, however, I look a lot older now, especially around my mouth. (I am 46 but have always looked younger). My face seems to have dropped! I feel so awful each time I look in the mirror now. The skin around my mouth almost looks lumpy!!

Does anyone have any ideas for improving this? Do I put weight back on in the hope that it will 'flesh' out my face? Or is there any magic cream that will help? (I currently religiously clean my face with wipes and use nivea cream during day and Waitrose Baby Butter at night). All answers very gratefully received!

[mileniwmffalcon]

is eternal post-40 arse vs face conundrum i'm afraid. you have to pick which bothers you most.

[twinsetandpearls]

I look fabulous and young because all the fat plumps out my wrinkles.

[dollydoughnut]

So, if I put some weight back on will it plump out my wrinkles, or am I too late and will end up fat, wrinkly and depressed!

[beansontoast]

unfortunately losing weight off your face will always make you look older than you did before.

my friend is 24 and has just lost alot of weight and her once beautiful plump round face now has lines,that curiously distract from her weight loss.

personally i dont think creams will make any difference.have a fantastic haircut and maybe a make up master class?

[chisigirl]

sadly i have come to the conclusion that after a certain age, you can choose to have youthful skin or to be slim!

[EffiePerine]

Isn't eating 'good' fats (fish and the like) supposed to help the skin? You cd try tweaking your diet - esp if you went low-fat - without adding too many calories

[dollydoughnut]

That may be true, EffiePerine, as I have maintained my weight by eating a very low calorie diet during the week and relaxing at weekends. Perhaps I should balance it a bit more by eating more good fats. Thanks.

Has anybody put on weight again and it helped 'refill' their wrinkles?

Thank you for all your posts, by the way.

[Mintyy]

How tall are you? Will help us decide whether 9st 4 is a low, average, or even slightly plump weight for your height.

(Have vested interesst as I'm a plump young-looking 46 year old who would like to lose weight!!!)

My 43 year old friend, about 5'4", went on a diet down from 12 stone something to 8 stone 12. I'm afraid she did look wrinkled and saggy at that weight. It was too low for her and she couldn't maintain it. Once she went back up to 9 stone 7, she honestly looked much, much better.

[dollydoughnut]

I am 5'4" Mintyy. I am an average build. I am now able to wear size 10 which feels great after spending years in size 12/14.

My friends have stressed that I shouldn't lose any more weight so maybe its their way of saying that I should put some back on.

I walk every day and have done for years but couldn't lose weight but then managed to do it by low calorie diet. I really wish now that I hadn't but am afraid to start eating more now as I will probably go back to being plump and feeling sluggish again.

[Mintyy]

Do you know what Dolly? I'd suggest you go back up another 5lb. You will still be able to wear size 10s from some shops, I'm sure.

Also, I have been meaning to google this amazing 80 year old who does facial exercises. Seen pics of her and she really does look 20 years younger and she puts it all down to exercising her face muscles.

I might just do that now.

[BonsoirAnna]

I know the feeling - I weigh 58 kg, prefer my body (well, my bottom and thighs) when I weigh 55 kg but my face just cannot take that weight - I look positively drawn.

[SilentTerror]

Me too.Am trying to lose a stone atm,so I will be around 9 st 7 or so.If I go any lower I look 'drawn' and have hollows beneath my eyes.
I def think a few pounds makes all the difference post 40.

[OrmIrian]

I have that problem. My own version of 'nice legs shame about the face' I have put a bit of weight on since my lowest and I'm afraid it hasn't helped facially.

[mileniwmffalcon]

how about looking at fitness and exercise rather than diet? a well toned, glowing with health 12 is surely more attractive than a drawn, droopy 10?

[noddyholder]

I am 43 and before xmas lost about 9lbs and felt fab in my clothes but when I saw the pictures of xmas day I did look haggard .I have since put the weight back on and am gutted tbh as I liked being slim but my face looks better now so not sure what the answer is.

[verygreenlawn]

Yes, I filled out when pregnant the last time and am still carrying a few pounds a few months on. Definitely look better from the neck up at the moment and I would say, yes, the wrinkles have "filled in". I'd still rather be minus the few pounds though, just because it's the weight I'm used to and prefer to be at.

Have you tried eating lots of vitamin E foods - aren't they meant to be good for the skin? Avocado is good for vitamin E I think?

[brimfull]

you could get your face filled with that restylane stuff,was reading about it in woman and home mag.
looked great

[brimfull]

but if you gained weight again after getting face filled you'd have humungous face

[TracyK]

I'd say to see what your natural weight stabilises at - ie eat healthily 80% of the time - do 30 mins of cardio type exercise a day and see what your weight settles at.

You've done the hard work to lose the weight - but now you can take the foot off the pedal and see what it settles at - you don't want to be calorie counting to keep your weight down for another 40 years!!

How much money have you got to spend on your face - CACI treatments are good for lifting at about £40 a pop - or facial exercises - takes longer but is free. or thermage thingy (google it) - before and afer piccies look great. or s-lift or c-lift also look good face lifts - but done keyhole and awake.

[earthpixie]

If you press your lips together hard and hold them for as long as possible several times a day (without clenching your teeth) it tones the muscles around your mouth and can plump out lines and sag.

Apparently.

[Wuxiapian]

I believe it's face or body.

I was 13st 7lbs and very beautiful. Looked very young - had great hair and skin and plenty of admirers.

I went down to 9st 7lbs. I looked older, my hair and skin also suffered.

Ironically enough, I was far more confident overweight. It was a hurtful comment from a "friend" that made me feel self-conscious and started the weight-loss thing.

I now hovver around the 10st 7lb mark and don't mind the extra padding - except when I'm asked for ID when buying wine in Sainsbos. I'm 31.

[veryembarrassedmummy]

You could try facial exercises - such as those by Eve Fraser- there is a DVD/book.

Creams etc will not help tough- surgery,possibly Botox, or exercises .

Sorry - but you are much healthier without the added weight.

[veryembarrassedmummy]

Just to reiterate what TracyC says- there are lots of fillers and non-invasive cosmetic treatments that might be enough.

One good place that seems reputable is www.skin.co.uk
worth a consultation maybe to see what can be done?

[veryembarrassedmummy]

sorry

sknclinics.co.uk

[dollydoughnut]

Thank you all for your messages. It was great to come back on here and find them all waiting for me. Its interesting, Wuxiapian, that my hair has suffered since my weight loss too. I thought it was because I've been straightening it more than normal but maybe I'm not eating enough good fats and vitamins. I adore avocados, Verygreenlawn, but avoided eating them whilst dieting - a good excuse now to indulge!

I am very reluctant to have Botox or invasive sugery so will have a look at the non-invasive cosmetic treatments.

I went shopping yesterday and bought some Olay products and good foundation. Felt like buying Polyfilla too!

Perhaps I will try to put on a few pounds and get to the magic 9st 7lbs weight. I am going out for a curry tonight with my girlfriends so that shouldn't be too difficult!