Why do some of us age faster then others?

[calvert77]

I and many of my female friends, sister and sisters in law are all now in our mid 30's to early 40's and what I notice is the variation in how we are all changing and aging some much better than others. I think I scrub up ok with a fair bit of work and make up but things are a bit grim with more than a few wrinkles and sun spots (is this normal at 38?) I have a younger sister who has worse lines than me although still has a lovely pre baby body. I also have a sister in law of 41 who looks like an eternal graduate student, I swear she is prettier now than she was in her 20's not even the faintest hint of fine lines under her eyes (she never wears make up) and perhaps just one or two gray hairs just to prove she doesn't dye her hair. I think I would be about 40% gray if I stopped dying my hair and have had to for about 10 years.

Why do we all age so diffrently and isn't it unfair!

Totally agree Fraggle, especially lines that look like you've been laughing and smiling a lot are so attractive. It's just happened so suddenly with her and looks too much for her age, she admitted herself that she's been partying too hard.

I look young for my age (am 40, usually mistaken for around 30).

I drank loads in my 20s, smoked from 15 to 38, never take my make up off before bed, worked outside a lot in all weathers, had a rubbish diet up until recently.

I have always been fit and active though and was never a massive sun worshipper, I think it's mostly down to genes as both my mum and dad have aged well.

Good teeth, good skin, good hair, slim.

Nobody's mentioned children. I think if you have children before your peer group that can age you faster. Probably due to the lack of sleep and concentrating on their health and diet more than your own.

I am 47 and look much younger. Unless I'm with my kids, I am still often asked for ID when buying alcohol. I think my genes play a big part and, as someone mentioned earlier, black skin tends to age very well.

I'm 44 and look reasonably good for my age, better than when I was about 10yrs younger and in new baby fug. I do have a roundish face, which definitely counters the hollow face you can get when you are older.

I think being a healthy weight, not too fat or too thin; a healthy diet lots of veg for antioxidants, oily fish, nuts, drink lots of water... much more important than expensive creams!

Being happy and good sleep (not always possible, but I try to prioritise sleep, if I have a bad night); also meditation/relaxation/yoga all help towards a healthy, stressfree life.

Sun protection, I have worn some since I was 16, after reading how it makes you age. I am pale and so don't really bother with tanning.

Dressing to suit you, not because you are x yrs old. A strong sense of style appears "young" and not frumpy.

Several years ago I read an article where they had compared the ageing of identical twins who had led different lives, so same genes but different lifestyles. It was quite illuminating, as the main differences iirc were sun damage: one twin in a temperate climate, one in the tropics; stressful lives: longterm illness, mh problems; substance abuse: drugs, alcohol etc.

I briefly read somewhere the other day (& I wish I could remember where it was cos I didn't read it properly) that collagen strength affects how young you look. If you have loose collagen (mightn't be the correct term!) you look younger. I have auto immune issues which have effected my collagen (not in a good way), but people say I don't look my age. So I'm thinking there may also be something in this. Now if only I could find the damn report!

I agree with the PP ^ who said that stress is very ageing. Everyone, absolutely everyone who has retired from where I work has looked years younger when they have visited work again.

Ebony - agree. Asians, too.

Re: weight, I also agree that being in the right weight helps. Not too slim, not obese. Slight overweight is fine, and I previously read it is associated apparently with longer life.

Saw this article in the Guardian today and thought of this thread.

well I think it's any smoking that ages you ... it's the worst thing you can do for your skin ... drinking lots of water helps keeping you younger looking but I don't follow that myself nearly enough :)

people often seem to think im early 30s, when im closer to 40, and I do fuck all with my skin, rarely wear sun cream, wash with soap, and moisturise occasionally, and dont bother to remove makeup at night.

All the women in my family seem to age well, so im presuming its genetics, because its definitely not my skincare regime

I upped my water intake for a race at the weekend, as I usually do. And, as always, I noticed how much better my skin was. It makes such a difference. I am really going to try to maintain it.