Why some young people look much older than they are?

[marghini]

This past week I suddenly started noticing that most of my coworkers and friends (both men and women) look much older than they really are.

While they are all in their late 20s/ early 30s, most of them have pretty deep lines, crows feet, visibly dry skin, bad posture and shape and generally not youthful physical appearance.

I wonder if this has anything to do with bad lifestyle (sun exposure, bad diet, alcohol, smoking) or if it is normal to show signs of aging as such a young age. Perhaps I look much older than I am too

Any thought?

I look older than I am. I've had a hard life with a lot of bad shit thrown at me. But hey, people feel better judging and feeling better about themselves by assuming I drink too much, smoke, etc.

Drugs, drink and partying- some of my crowd from school who is rarely see nowdays look awful for our late 20s due to the aforementioned.

Perhaps your workplace just has bad lighting.

Who are you comparing them to,celebrities with professionally applied make up or airbrushed images? Also I think life is harder for young people these days, wages are at a 20 year real time low , if you have a job hours are long or there is the stress of being unemployed. I am glad I am not in my 20s these days!

I do think people keep their partying lifestyles later these days than they used to. People used to settle down and get married and have kids younger so maybe curbed the partying at a younger age . Combine that with then having kids at an older age with all the sleepless nights that brings and you potentially have 25 years of lack all nighters! Bound to give people a few crows feet.

Boozing, terrible air con, stress....

You sound a bit nasty tbh, whether you look young for your age or no.
expat.

Life is fucking stressful for young people

Maybe it's showing on their faces

And yes, the older the person I know, the less stressed they are

More chemicals in makeup, beauty products, fake tan, face creams. Less real food and more processed food. Just a thought.

I think it also depends on genetics. I had a lot of difficulties in my life and spent most of my late teens and very early twenties drunk /on drugs but I look young for my age. I don't think I've met many people who look older than their age though. Most people look about the age they are IMO. Maybe your expectations are skewed.

Genetics helps. Dad looked really young for his age - could've passed for 20 years younger.

I was on the same track but have have a few bloody awful patches (well one huge long one for the last 16 years with the odd patch of normality) and I now look like Methuselah's granny.

Perhaps they got nice, less judgmental dispositions instead of youthful looks.

justmuddingalong how is me noticing some people show signs of premature aging and wondering why judgemental?

I didn't say anything offensive about them, just wondering whether it is common to show signs of aging at a young age.

Maybe they all had in laws staying over Christmas. It's certainly taken its toll on my appearance and posture. It has drained my will to live.

'and I now look like Methuselah's granny.'

No way! I am his granny , step aside.

It's the whole 'wondering' if it's from their 'bad lifestyle'.

You are commenting on people's appearance, skin, posture and shape. But you're not being judgmental, no?

I think working too hard, stress and having children make you age fastest.

I don't think the OP is being judgemental. I have often thought the same thing of my childrens generation. They wear such heavy foundation, primers etc and they look much older than my friends did at their age.

The OP is not commenting on heavy make up though.She is querying if a bad lifestyle is responsible for pretty deep lines, crows feet, visibly dry skin, bad posture and shape and generally not youthful physical appearance. She is pointing out perceived flaws in her workmates.

Too much MacDonalds!

LOL mumsnet is very sensitive these days. I'ts probably all that unhealthy living OP, cant be all the sun exposure though, like us Southern Hemisphere folks with premature ageing

Who are you to judge lifestyle you don't know what's going on with them

I'm not sure why the op's getting such a hard time. People are always talking about ageing on here and I've seen far more offensive posts than hers pass without comment.

Anyway my take: you say they look older than they are; I say, this is what your late 20s and 30s can look like. Ageing starts while you're still young; it's part of life and I think Photoshop and airbrushing have a lot to answer for in giving young people unrealistic expectations.

But yes, smoking, sun, booze, a hard life and stress can all take their toll too.

I've got a child with a complex health condition that requires intensive care at home. I've aged faster than my older sister. I don't drink and smoke, but my sleep is disturbed, I have to deal with high levels of stress and I don't always have time for personal grooming and to cook a healthy diet. I'm doing my best but my face and body are a reflection of my personal circumstances. Luckily my husband, friends and family like my personality.