If you met a woman in her 50s without many wrinkles or "11s"....

[CaliforniaDrumming]

.... would you assume she had had Botox? This isn't a stealth brag btw, I am not referring to myself (though I have not had Botox). Just a general and random question.

Also, would it make a difference if the woman was Asian or black?

I wouldn't assume someone had botox because they had no wrinkles, but I would assume they'd had it if they looked a bit weird and smooth and their facial muscles didn't move normally.

I am 51 this week. I have no wrinkles and had no cosmetic procedures or botox. I have severe Ehlers Danlos syndrome, and look younger because it gives me hyperelastic skin. I meet lots of people who think I am much younger. My hands have not aged a lot either. Internally, I feel like a 95 year old who has been run over by a bus due to joint ache and vascular trouble, but it is ok on the shop front apparently. I suppose my aversion to the sun (bright light gives me headaches) probably helps a bit too.

I wouldn’t assume that no wrinkles at 55 = cosmetic intervention.

A lot of emphasis is placed on wrinkles as though it’s the only thing that shows a person’s age when of course there are other factors like loss of volume, facial sagging, hollowing under the eyes, etc.

Exactly. I'm mid forties and have a very deep 1 rather than 11s, but no other lines. It's been there since my late 20s I think and I see it as a mark of all the hard thinking I've done over the years....

I'm mid 60s. I have deep number 11s (and have done since I was a teenager and too vain to wear specs) but otherwise very few wrinkles, probably because I never got into smoking and was put off sunbathing after a bad experience at 19.

You can absolutely tell my age because of:
Sagging. It sarted with my jawline and spread to mouth, boobs, arse and pretty much everywhere aside from wrists and ankles.
My neck.
My hands.

I think the focus on wrinkles is totally pointless, and I assume the anti-aging industry only does so because they're low hanging fruit.

To a pp, i disagree, In my experience asian (south) don't tend to age as quickly but I've noticed people with darker hair have greys earlier or that may just be because they're easier to notice.
East asian definitely usually look a whole lot younger than they are.

Early 60s, no 11s or forehead wrinkles. Lifelong fringe, which I think has helped.

I'm 50, no lines on forehead. Some around eyes. White, freckled, no skincare routine.

You can always tell when someone has had work done. With some it's better than others, but you can always tell.

yes I'd assume botox (if white) since everyone I know over about 32 has visible when doing certain facial movements

61 here. Very few wrinkles. Nice skin. My gran was the same, and my mother to some extent. But I only look a bit younger - and only some days! This is because of other age markers - thinner skin, a drop in muscles, etc. The waxy look when Botox is overdone is the alternative I reckon. Why fight it?

I'm 48 and most people I know, regardless of ethnicity, have very few lines or wrinkles in their 50's. Perhaps a few fine lines around their eyes, but nothing major. The ones who do have lined faces are either v. thin so their faces have little fat to plump them up, or they spend alot of time in the sun.

I think lines become visible later (maybe 60's?) and wrinkles develop much later, more like 70's.

I am 50 and have no lines at all, my dad was the same! However I did have a melanoma diagnosis a few years ago so I tend to keep out of the sun.

Not necessarily.
More signs than just no wrinkles make me guess at Botox and fillers, yes. The slightly frozen look, the bunny lines at the top of the nose. Plus a generally very groomed look, the people I know who have Botox also have microbladed brows, always made up, nails done etc. A natural looking person with few wrinkles, I assume was just lucky with their skin.

I am 51 and have no 11's or crows feet. Not had Botox either, suspect it is down to good genes.

It would never occur to me to wonder this about other people though.

No. It's mostly genes and skin type. My mother is in her 70s and doesn't have lots of wrinkles at all, she looks at least 10 years younger. Her mother was the same. I'm nearly 40 and people often say I look about 25 (not a stealth boost - I wish I looked older!).

I'm 66 no wrinkles on face. I've never used expensive creams - just Nivea.

I got lucky in the gene pool.

Not to be rude or cast doubt on peoples assertions but any chance someone or everyone in their 50's/60's who claim to be wrinkle free could post a picture (unfiltered)

I’m 44, have a 111(!!) and deep wrinkles in my forehead. I looked really young until I had my first DC at 39 then it all seemed to catch up with me!! Certainly wouldn’t dream of having Botox or cosmetic surgery on my face.

No.
Smoking and sun damage causes most skin ageing. Other than that, some people can be prone to the 11s due to tension. So it's not always age related. I've used sunscreen since my early 20s, don't sunbathe and never smoked. As a result I'm told my skin looks pretty young.

Look to your mum, granny. It's a lottery of genetics

I disagree. I have Botox, no one has noticed. It's minimal.

I wouldn't give it much thought and you might be better not dwelling.

FWIW, I assume people who look like they've had Botox have had Botox. Can always tell, every for the ones who kid themselves it's subtle or they're special. The absence of wrinkles doesn't indicate Botox or fillers as depends on morphology, 'plump'ness, ethnicity to some extent and other things.

white and can't smile or look a bit 'plastic', I just assume 'work' of some kind. Black and Asian skin I just sigh and think 'ah so lucky, beautiful skin'

As one of the posters who said they don't have many wrinkles, no I won't be posting a photo because I like my privacy, and yes, I do think it's rude to ask. I have specifically said that, despite a lack of wrinkles, I still look my age. That's the point.