To wonder why my face has changed since having DD

[VulvaVoom]

I look old and my face somehow looks more hang dog and haggard. I have those brown marks on my face, which doesn't help at all but I had them even BEFORE getting pregnant.

I'm getting decent sleep now (she's 11 months old) but when I look at pictures of me on my honeymoon 4 years ago, I can't believe how lovely, glowing and well, quite nice I look compared to now. Now I look shit and I don't think any amount of face cream will do anything.

Not being big headed (I promise) but even though I'm overweight, I've always scrubbed up well and been fairly photogenic but when I looked at pics of me at a recent wedding, I look like I have no make up on at all even though I took care and time doing it - WTF has happened?? And how can I get my old face back :(

BTW I know it's not a huge deal and my DD is worth it but I'm suffering from depression, so my confidence is pretty crap anyway.

[MrsKoala]

Wow trucks, good for you. I bought the shred but i keep in still wrapped in a drawer as i'm scared of it.

I wanted to start this week but have a chest infection and bad period so have eaten my body weight in cheese and bread products today and feel seriously worse about myself. Also bloody DS wont go to bed till midnight every night so i get no time :( I just feel if i could get him into some routine i'd be okay, i'd have time for me. it's 10.40pm and he's still fucking leaping off sofas.

[gnittinggnome]

Have you looked at Eva Fraser's Facial Workout? Good for a giggle if nothing else at the silly faces you pull, but given the face is basically held up by muscles underneath it makes sense to give those a good workout too!

Plus I absolutely second making a little time to focus on yourself, with exercise and wearing clothes that you really enjoy wearing. You don't need to spend the earth to get fancy, but relaxing and taking care of yourself are key.

[KittensoftPuppydog]

Facial workout. I second that. Coming up to mid 50s and sag kept at bay with saying eee oooo eee oooo over and over again when I'm feeling a bit saggy. Try not to do this in public though.

[owlface]

Great post Trucks, thank you!

[stopgap]

I feel the same way. DS is two, has slept great since six months, but I look knackered and there is no pregnancy glow this time round.

I colour my hair, am in great physical shape, eat more organic food than you can throw a wok at, yet there is a vast difference between how I looked just after having my son and now. I never look well-rested.

[VulvaVoom]

Wow, felt a bit sorry for myself when this got no replies but came back today and all of this. Thanks to all of you and I'm sorry some of you are feeling the same. I just cannot get my crappy eating under control at the moment and I bet that has a lot to do with it.

I have my hair done every 6-8 weeks and I love it for 2 days, then it just looks a bit limp again, like someone else mentioned WTAF happens to it?? Just after having DD I could wash and wear, it was a lustrous, glossy mane and looked great but I now have tufty bits sticking up everywhere (where it fell out and is growing again)

Also, I always try to make an effort to look smart and put make up on but glance at myself in shop windows or whatever and I look like a bloody hag!

This is a bit of a pity party, sorry and thanks for all the kind suggestions and commiserations

[Echocave]

In my case it's a combination of lack of sleep, not a great diet and, frankly, age.

[IfAtFirstUDontSucceed]

I treated myself to a haircut today - the first in over 6 months! It made me feel fantastic walking down the high street afterwards. Unfortunately, the moment I stepped through the door at home 6mo DS decided that mummy's hair was amazing stuff to grab/tug repeatedly/shove in mouth.... Promptly scraped back in a bobble again :(

My diet is pretty rubbish at the moment and I do think that's contributing to how I look and feel. I didn't put on much weight after I had DS, but it has been creeping on while I've been on mat leave. I've developed a major sweet tooth, so while my meals are pretty healthy, I gorge on biscuits and I'm eating too much bread as well. Major sugar crashes!

I have now had some inspiration to get my wobbly arse in to gear. :)

[DrCoconut]

Thank goodness the facial change is not imaginary. Mine is slightly asymmetric now and looks like it kind of slipped. I have nothing wrong causing it so it must just be the DC. I hate all photos except with sunglasses.