Sagging face and 45. What would you recommend? (Unflattering anonymised photo attached!)

[Annoymousy]

I’m 45 and have lost volume in my face giving me quite deep circles under my eyes and lines from my nose to my mouth with marionette lines developing underneath. My pores are quite big and visible too.

I don’t get enough sleep - so that’s number one - but what else would you recommend?

Do collagen supplements actually work? Face massage?

I run, that’s my only exercise. Are things like yoga good for your face?! (All that upside down blood flowing etc).

What would a mini face lift do for me? Feels drastic but honestly, I’d love to lose those hollow eye bags forever!

Or expensive facials? A change of diet? I eat pretty well already. Lots of fresh food.

Help! I want to feel good about the way I look again!

Please excuse the absolutely awful photo!!

Your neck is great, OP.

based on people I know, and famous sportspeople, I would say that extensive exercise is the face’s enemy. They always look quite drawn and lined. Great figures - but faces at least ten years older…

Prescription creams (tret) won't make you look younger. They just improve the skin tone and speed up cell turnover. Frownies do nothing. Botox or nothing for any lines on the forehead. Not very up on hifu so can't comment.

Have you thought about swapping running for Bodyweight and strength training? They are much better for you and recommended once you're over 40, mainly because of bone health, and plus running puts pressure on joints, but also it's not great for sagging skin.

That's debatable...

"In fact, runners may have healthier joints than inactive people, says Max R Paquette, an assistant professor of biomechanics at the University of Memphis, US. Running strengthens bone and muscle, and it’s thought it may do the same for cartilage, which cushions joints. And strong muscles – built by running and strength-training – support joints, so they are less vulnerable to injury."

(www.runnersworld.com/uk/health/injury/a775718/what-all-runners-need-to-know-about-joint-health/)

"Knee and joint pain may be common complaints among runners, but chances are slim that arthritis is the culprit. In fact, multiple studies have shown that regular running strengthens the joints and actually protects against development of osteoarthritis later in life."

(www.nm.org/healthbeat/healthy-tips/fitness/is-running-bad-for-your-knees)

So it's a definite, 'Yes!' to running for me. Technique is important though. But strength training and body weight training are good too. No one should limit themselves to just one form of exercise.

For far too long women have been told sport is not for them!

I think your skin looks lovely. I've been looking into collagen drinks too though

Yep, Darren McKeown looks pretty bad. He had bad plastic surgery that he bitterly regrets as a young man, which led to him wanting to provide a better service.

He’s a qualified plastic surgeon, and I promise you, his work is excellent.

You don’t have to take my word for it. I’m happy either way 😀

Facerobics by Peta Prior. Free videos on YouTube.

Don’t know firsthand if it works, but it might be worth a try.

Well, no one ever NEEDS fillers but the op has asked for advice and she's been given suggestions. No one is being nasty to her or saying she look horrendous (quite the opposite infact), so she's unlikely to come away from this thread feeling even worse.

That's true. And I had recommended a bit of cheek filler (along cheek bone for scaffolding) if she felt she wanted to go down the filler route.

"So it's a definite, 'Yes!' to running for me. Technique is important though. But strength training and body weight training are good too. No one should limit themselves to just one form of exercise."

"For far too long women have been told sport is not for them!"

I agree. I do weights and running!
I think there's an incorrect stereotype of 'haggard' runners as I've heard it too often here, and it's not something I've really come across actually. I'm not sure why or where that comes from. Some of the runners are ruddier cheeked, possible exposure to the elements, and some of the ellite marathon runners are very lean and toned, but that's about it.

No to giving up running!

I think there's an incorrect stereotype of 'haggard' runners as I've heard it too often here, and it's not something I've really come across actually. I'm not sure why or where that comes from. Some of the runners are ruddier cheeked, possible exposure to the elements, and some of the ellite marathon runners are very lean and toned, but that's about it.

Can't agree enough! I think there is far too much of the running haggard rhetoric. Another stick to bash women with! And let's face it, any elite athlete will look a certain way according to their sport. Ironically it's usually the people who are least in danger of becoming elite athletes that worry about this sort of thing!😉As if runners become haggard over night from doing a couple of park runs! 😂

Yes, but no one’s denying that serious athletes are toned and maybe super healthy with stupendous bones, but lots of people who are very into exercise do get a “haggard” sort of look. That’s fine, but many, including the OP, don’t want a sinewy, spare appearance.

it’s undeniable that a bit of fat plumps things up and makes one less liney. Btw I am quite thin (thin, note, not nice and slim) and I am that classic 1860 (looks 18 from the back, 60 when I turn around )

@OnenessWithAllStrife You look amazing. Where to start with yoga? Any tips very much appreciated.

I think, OP, that the advice to smile (not manically) is good advice. I’m nearly 60 and make a conscious effect to smile because it’s impossible to frown and smile at the same time! I think your skin is lovely; just needs a little “lift”. I’ve taken Imedeen for years and spent very little on face creams. My skin’s ok for my age. Have needed to reduce the Imedeen Prime because it’s too expensive. I also take VitC.

That old saying “Drink plenty of water” is truly good advice too!

This pic taken over the weekend. I am wearing makeup as I look like death warmed up without it. My “smile lines” are getting to be a worry. They make me look cross which is why I’m trying to smile more! 😊😫

I think your skin looks great, younger than your age for sure!

You are gorgeous!

Cheek filler for lift and a thread lift along the jaw would completely eradicate the sagging, which is mild. At least for a year or so.
Supplements, creams and so on help with texture and glow, but will do nothing for skin that's basically stretched and moved to a position you don't want it in.

You look lovely, no need for any invasive procedure. Pls dont do fillers or botox as those will not tighten your skin. Those are quick fix for wrinkles which you dont have yet. Frequent use of fillers and botox will actually eventually loosen the skin. That is the reason why young women in their 30s look as they would im their 50s because of overuse of the botox.
I would do noninvasive SKIN TITE procedure which will tighten and lift the whole face. The skin will start proceducing more of its natural collagen (let's say as you were in your 20s). It will.last up to 5 years. It is a bit pricey but it is worth it.

Well I also think you look great as you are, but understand how bad it can make you feel if you don't see that yourself.
My eye bags got much worse during my mid 40's (maybe/probably menopause related) and I found this helped a lot with their appearance...
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B0799NDB1C?psc=1&ref=ppxpoppmobbbasin_title
Didn't solve it completely, but definitely made me look much less tired.
There is also a much more expensive one which I can't remember the name of. I tried it from QVC but my skin felt too taught and unnatural with it.
I'm 50 now and my eye bags don't look anywhere near as bad and I don't use the above product on them anymore - or maybe my eyesight's worse so I just can't see them Droopy eyelids have landed though😩

God how depressing is this thread. Why give up running when you enjoy it and have a perfectly normal face for your age? Running is good for you. Obsessing over your face is not.

This, x1000. Don’t run, do have toxins injected into your face. Just fucked up.

@TheRussianDoll

You look amazing! Not close to 60 at all! Your skin is so clear & unlined.

Surely you need cardio too. And I thought the idea that middle aged people shouldn't put pressure on their joints or that jogging was bad on the knees was disproven now. There certainly seem to be lots of older people still jogging.

I also think you look great!!

And I hear strongly from your post that you are not looking for a chemical or surgical solution - so if that's what speaks to you, stick with it!!

This is worth reading: makeupandbeauty.com/vitamin-deficiency-dark-circles-eyes/#:~:text=Iron%20%E2%80%93%20Iron%20deficiency%20means%20that,eyes%20look%20pale%20and%20ashy.
Most of the vitamin additives to creams do better if you feed your skin from within... for me, my skin glows if I don't eat sugar, drink coffee, drink alcohol or eat gluten (but I have quite a pronounced gluten intolerance). Also if I make an effort to eat avocados, oily fish, seeds and coconut oil.

You can list the ingredients and instead of finding creams with them.. find foods with them instead..

Your skin is a window to your inner health so whatever you do to feed your skin will be feeding the rest of the your body as well.

www.spatone.com/en-gb/. for iron..
timehealth.co.uk/. for vegan supplements.

Sea buckthorn oil can be helpful to make the precursors of collagen..

Yes, in theory we should be able to get everything we need from food but generally, we do not..

And perhaps worth looking at facial cupping - I have a friend who tried this and loved it so much she bought her own DIY set.
www.byrdie.com/cupping-facial-under-eye-bags

I think you have a runners face. I am sure your body is lean and with little fat. Its the same in your face, no fat to plump up the cheeks and lower face leading to sunken cheeks and a drawn face. I dont think theres much you can do about the eye hollows, as they hollow with age anyway, but you could try fillers like restylane which will minimise this and draw the eye away from the hollow areas. basically just readd collagen to the areas you have lost it.

Op don't resort to surgery, why not try something like this

www.amazon.co.uk/Carole-Maggio-Facercise/dp/0399527834/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=18QIIUGDIVHT8&keywords=facercise+carole+maggio&qid=1657573598&sprefix=facercise+carol%2Caps%2C7445&sr=8-1

Then you can use facial exercises to get your facebow you want it

I don't know if that Amazon link is working...but go to Amazon and search facercise ,.... it's the books by Carole maggio

My advice is, if you want to look good into middle-age don't get laser eye surgery for myopia (short-sight) when you're middle-aged 😧😀. I realised overnight I was no longer the attractive young female I assumed I still was

I think you have a runners face. I am sure your body is lean and with little fat. Its the same in your face, no fat to plump up the cheeks and lower face leading to sunken cheeks and a drawn face. I dont think theres much you can do about the eye hollows, as they hollow with age anyway, but you could try fillers like restylane which will minimise this and draw the eye away from the hollow areas. basically just readd collagen to the areas you have lost it.

Really? I know I'm biased as a runner myself but this just sounds like sour grapes to me.

The OP has a perfectly normal face. She has posted a photo without makeup in not particularly flattering lighting and she still looks fine. Very few lines at 45. Evenly toned skin, no visible blemishes. A more animated photo would look great.

Is it only runners that are up for this kind of scrutiny? What about cyclists? Or rowers? Is it only people who are suspected to be slim? Do double chins and neck rolls get scrutinised like this too?