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!

smile - nothing like the 'slapped-arse' pose that the young use for adding years.

stand up straight.

wrinkled is better than dead. Get used to it. If there were actual anti-ageing products no-one would have wrinkles. Don't fall for the lies of the beauty 'industry'.

I'm 44 and have noticed myself aging in the last year or two. My forehead lines and 11s are more noticeable, and definate downturn to my face, like it's melted slightly. First thing in the morning my eye area looks a bit reptilian. Eyebrows simultaneously sparser but thicker hsirs, and some grey appearing in my hair, which also is thinner.

I think it's peri menopause, along eith a non sleeping pre schooler that have done it.

I'm too tired to try much, but never smoked, dont drink much, and eat a lot of fruit and veg. Will definately try some suggestions upthread as i dont want to look the oldest mum around!

I’m 41 and have been doing botox for 5 years . It works a treat: the key is less is more

I'm mid fifties and have noticed my jowls getting worse recently. I'm 2 stone overweight, but worried if I lose weight my face will sag more and my neck look worse. I know there are exercises in YouTube, but do they really help? Anything else I can do?

My hair is also coming through grey and I can't afford to keep getting it dyed plus worry about the health aspect of it. I can't use that spray on stuff, it makes my scalp itch like crazy (sensitive skin). I need to do something, because it all really gets me down.

Exercises do help if you keep doing them. Vitamin C might help too. The most effective is supposed to be pure vitamin c not a derivative, but it can sting a bit. I have Garden of Wisdom which I got from Victoria health and it is not irritating but I keep it off my cheeks. Timeless is supposed to be the best vitamin C at a reasonable price as opposed to £££ but it's still £20 or so. Cheap and cheerful brands are The Ordinary (I couldn't use this as it stung me so much so I used it up on DH and he wasn't bothered at all) and The Inky List.

Thanks APile, I'll have a look.

I got one of those jowl facial devices. I did it every day for a month and noticed no difference. But maybe it would stop them getting worse?

Get a salon or medical grade skin peel. I recommend green peels as from fruit - you need a week’s downtime as your skin comes off in strips after a few days but everyone I have seen do it has dropped 10 years.

There was a thread last year in style and beauty about those devices, I think it was called Nuface for New Year.

A lovely generous with her time poster has done fact sheets about different skin types and products which can be found at the start of the skin care threads in S&B. Well worth a read.

I always looked younger than my age until last year when I finally lost the two stone I'd been miserable about for ages.

I can wear skinny jeans now but my face is beyond help. I have botox in my forehead but that's just to stop things getting even worse to be honest.

I'm growing my hair now because I think longer hair is more youthful, and if not then at least I can hide behind it.

Sorry I'm 48 fyi

I'm 42 and would say it's started in the last year. I'm barely recognisable from my 30 something self. Lines and jowls and general exhausted demeanour. And it's only going to get worse.

Filler is so good for jowls. Some is placed in the jowl area and then some in the cheeks which then lifts the whole area, honestly it’s amazing. I’ve had this done three times now, although this last time I didn’t need any in the cheeks. I’m 50 and started it at 47 because I started to look really sad because if the jowls.

I’m late 40s and my skin texture has changed since I entered perimenopause. Got some lines round my eyes but not too bad, due to sun allergy I’ve always used sunscreen and avoided sunbathing. Been greying since 17 so have been colouring all my adult life, considering embracing the grey. Eating low carb and doing weights has taken 20kg off me and apparently makes me look younger, can’t see it myself but nice to be wearing a 14 again.

I started to notice that I looked older when I turned 40. I'd also let other things go so I did the following:

Increased my water intake
Cutback on alcohol
Cut back on red meat, sugar and processed foods.
Started looking after my skin using bits of the Korean approach to skincare.
Started taking multivitamin's
Eyebrows are always groomed
changed my foundation from full coverage to lighter coverage.
Always wear lipstick

UnderperformingSeal thank you so much for that twitter link. You have made my year.

I think you may benefit from some facials! They can make a HUGE difference - no they don’t solve the aging issue but they improve the surface appearance of the skin.
I’m not talking anything major like a vampire facial (injecting your face with your own blood ) but something like microdermabrasion or micro-needling, dermaplaining, alongside LED face mask using light to penetrate the lines - or acne scars - or whatever your personal issue might be.
These are NON surgical, as in painless, no needles (despite the name) and they work to just lift and smooth. They aren’t particularly expensive if you find a good local salon and look for deals on Facebook etc (check recommendations)

I think it’s two approaches - lots of water and fresh air and exercise for circulation of blood and also lifting of the dead cells and dry skin through facials. This helps make up sit better as well!

Origins Vitazing SPF 15 Energy-Boosting Moisturizer with a sheer tint is a lifesaver, instantly makes you look less tired. You only need a very small amount. That is the one product I don’t want to be without anymore.

I started to age last year but have had a rough life and a very hard last 3 years. I still look younger than I am but had I had an easier live I'd look 25 now instead of 35.

My mum looked 15 years younger until she got breast cancer and now looks her age of mid 60s.

Im aiming to reduce the damage of the last few years and to stay looking in my early 30s.

50 next birthday 🥳.....
I’m lucky enough to have good skin/high cheekbones/oval-shape face so go away with murder for years.
Decided to Mother Nature a little help this winter though and I’ve done 2 out of 3 Sculptra treatments. My face was starting to look “drawn” and tired so much research later, found an experiencedSculptra practitioner.
They are thin on the ground and many are poorly trained. I won’t see the full effect until 6 months after the final treatment (and very little after the first) but now waking up and looking into the mirror is a nice thing. It’s slow because your skin starts to re-grow it’s own collagen and so basically you always look like “yourself” because it’s you, not a substance that’s filling the skin.
It will last for 3 years and then 1 treatment per year top-up. I’m very pleased with the results and I enjoy the gradual reveal.
Yes I AM a little vain 👀 but entirely losing my looks is not something I am signing up for just yet.....😎
Everything else is fine, normal weight/hair could tone up a bit but hey let’s get flippin January out of the way

Well this is me and my eyes look
Wrinkly but looking back at photos today they were always like this anyway. For me i accept that ageing is going to happen and it’s all about hydration/ moisturising is that when I do see the effects they are a softer version 😂

Mid 40's and look younger now than I did 10 years ago. Its all basically down to biologique recherche products. They are hugely expensive but I have tried them all and they make a MASSIVE difference.
Everytime I see anyone they are like god your skin is AMAZING .. certainly compared to anytime prior to using them.
I don't do botox, fillers etc and I think they look obvious on everyone and retin A thins the ski which is fine if you have thick skin but where I am from they don't.
If you have the dosh, look them up. The women behind rescue spa in the US uses them and they sell every brand know to man so that says something

I think I look younger than my 41 years. I don't have lines yet and I guess having olive skin has helped that. I am lucky in that I have two grey hairs so far too. I am often thought to be in my early 30s.
wish I could be so lucky with my weight

I’m 47 and starting to look old. Sigh!

However it does depend. Some days I look way better. Maybe summer. Fresh air.

Winter is harsh on my skin. It all starts to sag!
Eyes have dark rings. Face not as radiant. Skin thicker. Wrinkles aren’t so bad though.