To ask how old you were when you first thought...

[MoanerLeaser]

"....what the FUCK! Noooooooo! Please God nooooooo!" Upon noticing your face was older/lines/wrinkles?

Just wanting to feel like I'm not alone here in wrinkly solitude

Ummmm I remember Mum sharing her Vitamin E cream with me when I was 25 and saying I should use moisturiser religiously now. I had used face cream since I was about 14 but knew nothing much about what ingredients to look out for and was not always good at removing make up at night! I now do this or I cannot sleep!

I have actually aged quite well (59) but I reckon the medication I am on does not help. Months ago, I was having my hair cut and coloured. No make up on and looked through a mirror. It was a sunny day and my Aunt's face looked back at me. Horror!

Lines suddenly became very deep after a few highly stressful years...
Tbh I had a bit of Botox and it sorted it right out, but since then I've also tried to lower carb and lower sugar and and drink more water.
I've always used a lot of skin care so couldn't up that anymore.
I look alright-probably about my age now-39 but people would say my skin is pretty good (except under eye bags which are very dark-inherited from my Mum). Not many people know I've cheated a bit

I got my first grey hairs at 29, soon after the birth of my first child. First wrinkles by 32, after taking care of two under 2!

I didn't feel ' please god no' or anything like that but as others have described I noticed an acceleration of ageing after a couple of bereavements . I was about 43.
You are most definitely not alone but not everyone feels so upset about it.
I don't dye my hair so I've gone grey gradually. My face has changed and I can see my mother's genes. It's an interesting process. I actually feel more confident the older I get.
You'll find the things you're aghast at now will be less important as you get older, which is a blessing.

63, this year. I've had a rough 12 months and I think it has taken its toll.

I'm 23 and worried I look a lot older, 2 kids the odd sun bed use and now I'm worried 🥺

Here are some things I've found on google before...
factor 50 on your face/neck every single day even in winter
Drink a lot of water
Vitamin c face cream
Hydraulic acid cream
Take a collagen supplement ( or powder is better)
Lemons

I always used to look young for my age, people didn't believe how old I was. Then my mum died and I seemed to age about 15 years overnight. I was 43 then.

I'm 56 and even now have very few wrinkles. I do have saggy, wobbly jowls and poor posture though and fine those two things very ageing.

48 and like a PP it was after surgery. Got it slightly back under control now it's 6 months down the line.

2 bereavements, an ankle injury and a devastating relationship problem, ever likely this was the year my face gave up.

35, I've always looked young for my age but now I do look older (I.e near my own age)

My biggest concern now is not to look "mumsy"

I'm 42 and it hasn't happened yet. I look young ish but definitely developing some lines. But, y'know, I'm getting older, it happens and I'm cool with. I'm married with two lovely kids and looking young doesn't matter. It may help that I was always totally invisible to blokes anyway apparently, so it's not like I'm mourning the loss of male attention!

I'm 39. My dad died at the end of last year and I aged about ten years overnight. Most people seem to think I'm younger than I am but I'm definitely starting to show signs of overuse. Thankfully none of it is on my neck or hands but I'm starting to get a bit crepey around the eyes and I have 11 lines that make look tired and grumpy.

At about 37 after being diagnosed with a chronic disease, I just felt so deflated and I could no longer enjoy fresh healthy fibrous foods, I just kind of gave up and now look bloated and old in face and body. Kind of a bit depressed too which doesn't help at all.

Never. I just avoid mirrors when I have my glasses on. 57 years old. I think I can pass for late 20s, no one else does.

61. Still waiting.

I aged when we had a 12 month period when my dad was seriously ill and then died 12 months later from an unrelated diagnosis. That was 2 years ago and I think I look better now. Good skincare and drinking plenty of water only; I haven’t gone down the Botox and fillers route.

For those who are saying 34, 35, you have one hell of a shock coming round at 41, 42.

I think it’s around 42/43 for most people (apart from those who are saying 60!!)). I heard 43 is the most common age for people to start seeking ‘cosmetic help’.

You think it happens in your 30s but it really accelerates around 42/43 for most.

42, I’m really seeing a common thread here

I won’t pretend I like it but I’m with a PP on not worshipping at the altar of youth. I’m learning and growing all the time. And it definitely beats the alternative

At 35 I guess. It's tough.

Iv had a shitty life so my experience is probably not the norm!

My dad died when I was 21 and the life changingly devastating grief added to already crap stuff and around the same time my already not great health rapidly went down hill so by 26 I distinctly remember I started thinking fuck if I caught myself in the mirror by surprise and now in my mid 30's I feel like I look really rough and permanently ill and tired looking even when Iv made an effort on hair and makeup so I just don't look apart from looking at specific parts but never the whole face.

I suppose people never see themselves how others see them.

I look fine (40) but very annoyingly noticed that i had developed under eye lines very suddenly, virtually over 2 weeks. Hadn't changed the skincare routine or anything really, it just happened. Why?? I smile a lot and smile with my eyes so maybe it caught up with me. Also did botox at 39 and it helped massively with forehead wrinkles which i have had since my 20s. Doing it again definitely.

Grief definitely has a physical effect. I lost my son st 40. By 41 I had grey hair, dry skin, frown lines, dull complexion, blank eyes and gained 4 dress sizes. I was literally a different woman.
I'm now 46. Over the last year I have been regaining my mental and emotional strength somewhat after what feels like 6 years in the wilderness.
Started to do things like see hairdresser, moisturize and exfoliate, get eyebrows done. I don't drink alcohol any more. All things I simply didn't give a fuck about for years.
I actually looked at myself in hairdresser mirror last week, and thought Christ, I look like me again. It's very odd. My face was close to it's old shape and there was colour in my skin and eyes
I'm sure I look my age. Don't care if I do!
But my skin is fresh, I've no crows feet or wrinkles, my hair has a bit of shine now the grey is covered, and I'm down from a size 20 to a 14 which happened over about 12 months without me doing a thing. Just kept noticing my clothes were too big.
It's the weirdest thing, but I honestly think my exterior was reflecting what was going on inside.
I'm having an emergency complete hysterectomy and going on HRT patches immediately afterwards- so it will be interesting to see how I look in another year!