AIBU to ask at what age did you start to look 'old' and what did you do about it?

[fortunatelynot]

Shamelessly posting her for traffic as I am now fed up of ALWAYS looking tired.

I am 43 and I think I now look 'old'. Of course those little lines have been gradually creeping up over the years and at times I've looked in the mirror and thought I looked a bit haggard, but, with a bit of make up and extra sleep, things have always fallen back into place and/or make up hid them.

Seriously - at what age did you get the crows feet, laughter lines and bags? And what did you do about it?

I have worn sunscreen for a few years but didn't as a youngster. I have never smoked and I don't drink much (although used to). I sleep pretty well and work out regularly. I take my make up off each night and put on moisturiser. My diet is reasonable. I admit I'm not exactly obsessed with maintenance but I don't think I'm neglectful of myself either. I work long hours in a stressful job.

Genuinely interested to hear of anybody who has succeeded in making themselves look less tired or any anti ageing tips I'm missing!

[Merryoldgoat]

Around 40.

I’m 41 now, fatter than ever with a 6yo and 2yo, working and utterly exhausted.

I have mixed ethnicity so no wrinkles at all (my 56 yo aunt hasn’t got a single wrinkle) but I look utterly worn out.

I don’t actually mind getting older and looking my age but I hate looking ground down.

My NY Resolution is yo take better care of myself.

Not going that well so far.

[DuMondeB]

I’m also 43 and have just started to look it!

I think I looked best between 30 and 35 and it’s been a gradual decline since. Not planning on doing anything about it though - some of my mates have started on Botox/fillers but I would rather spend the money on drinking cocktails and going to gigs with DH/on the house/on fancy shoes.

I’m a bit scared of the shiny-forehead-immovable-eyebrows Botox look, TBH.

[Ladiva1971]

I had a facelift at 43 best thing I did

[RobertSmithdoesmyhair]

50 and feeling it!
Dilemma when you get older- fat arse young face or size 8 arse and haggered face?! Still haven't worked out which is best!

[GoddessOfTransformativeWrath]

Did you need it at 43!
I didnt think a face lift could fix the fine lines on a 43.
How much sagging can a 43 year old have?!

[Lookingmyagenow]

Ladiva1971 how do you find a good person? Did it hurt? Were you scared?

[2018SoFarSoGreat]

I thought I looked fine until the year I was 50, got quite ill and lost a ton of weight. My face collapsed, and has never recovered. All of it - the liplines, wooden puppet mouth structure (you know the one, hinged jaw) and a wattle. Jeezy peepers it was shocking then, and is still shocking. I have terrible eyesight though, and can't see up close without my specs. That helps.

I have been faithful with all of the good creams, sunscreen, serums, cleansing. Still do it, and I do think it must be keeping something at bay. Not sure what - total collapse?

[QueenofPain]

Dunno about getting more old, I look more adolescent as time goes on. I sailed through my teens and twenties with near perfect skin, and then as soon as thirty hit I have had such terrible skin. My spotty all around my chin and nose, rosacea on my cheeks, and then dry flaking in other places. It’s such a mess and nothing that I try seems to help.

[WhenPushComesToShove]

I'm 18 inside and firmly believe that age is a privilege and beauty comes from within. Also a good hair colourist, a jolly lipstick and a big smile make all the difference!

[IdblowJonSnow]

44 now and started to really notice my face looking grey n tired a few years ago. Had botox twice. It does work but really doesn't last long.
I think sleep deprivation for ten years has done it. And working in toxic office where I permanently schooled!
Err, dont work or have kids?!

[IdblowJonSnow]

Those of you nervous about botox face, you can request subtle. Also if it goes not to plan (unlikely) it doesn't last long anyway. But I sound like I'm advocating it and I'm not really. It's far too expensive for how long it lasts.

[Justsaynonow]

@Magissa In my forties and early fifties I easily looked ten years younger. Suddenly almost overnight I looked older than my age.

That's how it happened with me...my health took a turn for the worse and all of a sudden I looked old and fragile.

I have a few items that make my skin look better - even the turkey neck. I use a peel 1x/week (The Ordinary AHA/BHA or Sharon Marie 20% Glycolic acid(ebay)), as well as The Ordinary Squalane oil daily (hands, face, neck - cheap and it works), and moisturize with Nuxe creme prodigieuse or in transit camera close up by thisworks. About a year ago, there was a thread about skin products that work/are worth the money, which is where I heard about most of these. The botox I get for migraines certainly helps with forehead lines, too.

Make sure you don't pull at your skin when applying or removing makeup - it doesn't bounce back the way it used to

[UnderperformingSeal]

Maybe count your blessings, OP? Although I have no idea what you look like! Someone on Twitter posted this:
twitter.com/BMcCarthy32/status/1210350854571585537
I'm in my 40s now and I've liked my football since I was a kid, and the players back then used to look really old! I put it down to my own increasing while footballers are always in their 20s/30s, but he may be on to something.

[Apileofballyhoo]

About 40 I think. I look my age now whereas in late 30s I could pass for early thirties.

I have terrible 11s and I'd look younger/less cross and stressed if I didn't. Had a very stressful couple of years on top of previous stressful years, so I'd say I've not a an easy life really in the past 7 years or so, and it shows. I used to be quite good at looking after my skin (washed my face with some kind of gentle enough wash, wore moisturiser and SPF) but really neglected doing anything for ages until I started to look really awful.

In my early thirties the annoying housemates next door invited me to a 21st birthday party they were having as they thought I was around their age.

I have started taking an interest in skin care largely due to MN and products really do help. I look better than I did. My DM even said I had been looking haggard but looked ok now. Sleep helps. Water helps. Better food helps.

Anti aging skincare - retinol, exfoliating acids, vitamin c, peptides, SPF. Don't use harsh cleansers, aim to pack your skin with moisture.

I am considering Botox just because of the 11s, I hate them. I'm not bothered by other lines.

[Piixxiiee]

@ComeOnGordon could you recommend any products please?

[Mummadeeze]

I use this under my tinted foundation www.thisworks.com/in-transit-camera-close-up.html which makes my skin look better in the daytime. I also put Lancôme flash bronzer gel (fake tan) on my face twice a week at night.

[Holdencaulfieldshomeboy]

I'd say 33! It's been a very stressful few years. I do sweet fa about it!

[crimsonlake]

I am 59 next month sock shorror, but at least I am still here.
I think it it all about how you feel inside.
I could think myself old but I try not to, still do the things I used to do, it is all about mentality.
We are all aging inside no matter how good we look in pictures.
Someone on NYE suggested I have been having treatments, although I can tell my face is getting older.
I work in dementia services and it has taught me to live your best life right this minute and enjoy what you have now.
It is whats inside now, not what you look like, find happiness where you can.

[DesertOrchid558]

Has anyone tried collagen lift treatment which is like electrical waves passed through skin or collagen liquid drinks? I haven't but would be interested if anyone knows if they make any difference. I saw a friend in her 40's recently & her skin was amazing- she said it was collagen drinks but they are so pricey!
I'm 56 & think i look better now than in my 20's and 30's when I was overweight with a frizzy perm :((
Weight training certainly helped give me a more youthful body & feel better & move better. I drink tons of water & use multiple serums, creams, masks etc. People say I look in early 40's. I dont really care just want to look best I can & be healthy.

Also has anyone tried lower face lift abroad? It's so expensive here in UK. I'd be interested to hear.

[Werking]

Some great tips here. @Shaminon you’re now my guru - I’m trying to give myself a makeover this year after a few years of hardcore stress and letting myself go this year. I‘m 47 & looked at myself recently and thought I looked so haggard. Getting my roots done and using moisturiser has made a big difference already. I do mind looking older because since childhood I’ve always looked much younger than I am and I’d hoped that looking youthful in middle-age would make up for having looked like my friends’ flat-chested kid sister when I was a teenager

[waybird]

I think it's largely to with genes in my opinion

[joystir59]

I'm 62 and lost 5 st in the last year and am wrinkly and saggy now. I don't care about the wrinkles as I look and feel lean fit and healthy and spring around effortlessly. Thats what is important not appearance.

[Apileofballyhoo]

Underperforming Seal that Twitter thread is hilarious.

[Pixxie7]

I remember nursing a 70 year old years ago whose skin was perfect when asked what her secret was she said she never used soap on her face.

[UnderperformingSeal]

@Apileofballyhoo
But isn't it just so true?? People in times past really did look older!