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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To feel sad that my hands are turning into old lady hands?

46 replies

Squeegle · 18/04/2019 19:43

Just that!
I never thought it would happen to me. I remember when I was little being amazed by my old lady neighbour as the skin on her hands didn’t move back when pinched.
And now it’s starting...
What can I do?

OP posts:
AnnieMay100 · 18/04/2019 19:51

I’m early 30s and my hands are awful because of health conditions they look gross and hurt often so I know how you feel. Have you tried any creams for it? (Assuming it’s related to skin and not arthritis?) A doctor should be able to prescribe you something. If you mean aging related then age with pride not sadness and remember all the hard work your hands have done.

HotSauceCommittee · 18/04/2019 19:52

“NaN Hands”. I have them. Age or die...

Seeingadistance · 18/04/2019 19:52

What can I do?

Be happy that you have lived long enough to develop old lady hands?

I've just had a wee pinch of the skin on my mine and it is taking a bit longer than it used to for the skin to go back. I also remember being amazed by the skin on my granny's hands not going back.

MaisyMary77 · 18/04/2019 19:54

My hands were terrible! Now at bedtime I slather them with loads of coconut oil and put on a pair of manicure gloves. It’s made a huge difference. Any hand moisturiser will do-I just find coconut oil works the best.

Fozzleyplum · 18/04/2019 19:54

Take comfort in the fact that old hands wearing large statement rings, look incredibly chic.

GoodJobShesCute · 18/04/2019 19:54

That's so funny I've been thinking the same recently! Over the years I've pinched the skin on my hand every now and then to see if it bounces straight back and it's just started to take a little longer. I think it's because I wash my hands loads at the moment with a small frequently pooping child and I'm not careful enough with moisturising.

John470322 · 18/04/2019 19:55

I have no idea, my hand is sore now as I've been pinching it to see if it recovered and it did straight away every time. Maybe old men (I'm 72) don't have the same problem.
Would hand cream help? The Body Shop are brilliant at suggesting things and giving away free samples (my wife uses their products and I sometimes use a wee bit on my skin)

Aquamarine1029 · 18/04/2019 19:55

Get a hand lotion with retinol and use it religiously. It really helps. Moisturize several times a day and make sure you're properly hydrated. The older we get the more water we need.

HaroldsSocalledBluetits · 18/04/2019 19:56

Those are hands that have soothed, cleaned, loved, worked, created and made good in the world. Be proud of them. My hands used to be beautiful. No, really, they did! People commented on them and sometimes stared at them, back in the day. They've done a lot more since then and people no longer look. But they are worth far more now than they were when I was 21.

Original poster
Squeegle · 18/04/2019 19:56

Yes of course I am thankful I’ve lived this long; it’s just a very visible sign of ageing; somehow you are used to your face more! I’ll try the coconut oil- my hands are short and plump unfortunately they don’t look great with rings Grin

OP posts:
Sunonthepatio · 18/04/2019 19:59

What age are we talking here?

Processedpea · 18/04/2019 19:59

Me too Sad nail varnish looks aging too what is the retinol hand cream aqua ?

Chesneyhawkes1 · 18/04/2019 20:01

I put some of my retinol face cream on my hands every night 👍🏻

mabelsgarden · 18/04/2019 20:01

Oh gawd, the 'be grateful you have lived long enough to have old lady hands' comments have started. Only 4 posts in!!! Hmm

How old are you OP?

CheshireDing · 18/04/2019 20:02

I hear you OP. I have recently noticed this with my own, not the skin pitching thing but I have been thinking they look old and the other day happened to catch them at a certain angle and they looked like my Grandma’s hands !!!! Shock

I am painting my nails tonight to try and improve things. Might get coconut oil too as body butter isn’t working

CheshireDing · 18/04/2019 20:02

I’m 42 [weep]

SpongeBobJudgeyPants · 18/04/2019 20:04

Just thought the same about mine, oddly. @Aquamarine1029 which handcreams have retinol? TIA.

EdWinchester · 18/04/2019 20:05

I was in a meeting this afternoon. Sitting next to a woman who's probably late 50s. Very thin.

I was transfixed by her old hands. Transparent skin, liver spots and massive, protruding veins.

I am going to get fat in mitigation and apply copious handcream.

mabelsgarden · 18/04/2019 20:05

Awww, roughly my age OP, and mine are starting to look older and don't have the springiness anymore! Don't worry. Smile

chipperchop · 18/04/2019 20:06

The skin on my hands is so dry and just looks awful - like elephant skin. I’m in my 20s Sad

SpuriouserAndSpuriouser · 18/04/2019 20:07

I second the retinol hand cream, it should help to increase collagen production which slows as you age and causes sagging skin. Beauty pie do a nice one that’s a good price, (though you have to be a member) but there are others out there that should do the job. Though I imagine a face cream would work just as well!

CountFosco · 18/04/2019 20:08

Just wait till you start getting ganglion cysts!

Sunonthepatio · 18/04/2019 20:08

I'm sure you look lovely in lots of other ways.

Original poster
Squeegle · 18/04/2019 20:10

I’m 53. Just the age when you suddenly think oh yes I am undoubtedly not a young thing any more. But young enough still to take a bit of mitigating action. The retinol sounds a good idea

OP posts:
Pebbles16 · 18/04/2019 20:13

I used to love my hands. Long, painted nails. Elegant and lovely. Sadly in my 40s I have rheumatoid arthritis. They are every which way. And they hurt. You get to the point you are just glad to hold a cup of tea, write a birthday card (and post on MN, bit it takes FOREVER)