Aged so much in five years. So depressed

[Lookingoldandugly]

I’m 41 now and I was looking at photos from five years ago and I looked YOUNG. And I was quite pretty! I didn’t think it at the time but I must have felt better about myself because I did allow photos to be taken of me.

I cannot stand it now, I refuse to have photos, but that’s because I look so awful. It’s like the whole of my face has changed shape. I have had a rough few years personally and maybe it’s that? I am not really that much more wrinkled but I just look old and weary instead of young and optimistic - which I guess is how I feel.

Any advice? Do I just need to care less? I feel like it’s downhill from here on in!

The foreo bear is similar though pricier and I find it lovely to use, really relaxing feeling. Very occasionally it stings me if I put it somewhere it shouldn't go by accident (sensitive under eye area)

I’ve got the foreo Luna 4 (or something!) cleansing device and find that really nice to use. I do hate using the Lift Off, so may have a look at the bear as an alternative! Thanks!

I'm not sure about the strength comparison but it's said to be preferable to use low strength retinoid over a high strength retinol.

I suppose it wouldn't be over-the-counter if it wasn't stronger?

I also found retinol disappointing. But if I had to choose I'd go with Medik8.

Ok, thanks. I will give it a go.

Thank you! I'll look into it

Second this a lot of friends have seen massive changes with HRT from skin improvements to solving extreme insomnia!! And tret 100%… I have a formula from monderma with niacinamide too couldn’t recommend enough has helped with my sun spots wrinkles texture of skin and everything

42 here, and I hear you. I wish I had appreciated my looks in my 30s more (when I wasn't pregnant or postpartum, that is, as that didn't look good on me either! :)). I don't like the idea of Botox but will probably crack and have a full on face lift at some point. I've also gained a dress size in the last couple of years and I feel like I'm still getting fatter. I'm just trying to remind myself I'm lucky to be fit and healthy.

41 (closer to 42 though) and I am really feeling this now, forehead wrinkles, disappearing eyebrows, nice new hormonal breakouts all over my cheeks and jaw, hair roots now almost totally grey and on and on and on. Makeup just doesn’t sit right and I look totally washed out. I always loved how I looked, was totally vain, but not any more.

I have been taking collagen supplements but no noticeable difference yet, considering an LED mask and getting those eyebrow tattoo thingies.

realised I was never going to be pretty again when I was in my 40’s so decided that I would be striking instead. Put effort into my skin, vitamin C and retinol, youthful hair and clothes that make people look. am complemented frequently, it’s lovely

Bone structure is the issue for me. I've always had round, button nosed, baby faced look which kept me looking youthful throughout my 20s and 30s, but now that the skin is looser its got nothing to hold on to - I'm looking more like a Shar Pei pup with every passing year!.

Hi there,
It doesn’t seem likely that you have this from your post but for anyone else reading this.
I just happened to see this and wanted to mention an illness called acromegaly. It is caused by excessive growth hormone produced in the pituitary gland.
Acromegaly can cause a wide range of symptoms, which tend to develop very slowly over time.
Early symptoms include:

• swollen hands and feet – you may notice a change in your ring or shoe size
• tiredness and difficulty sleeping, and sometimes sleep apnea.
• gradual changes in your facial features, such as your brow, lower jaw and nose getting larger, or your teeth becoming more widely spaced
• numbness and weakness in your hands, caused by a compressed nerve.
• periods becoming irregular
• fatigue
• aching joints

If you have these symptoms you want to see an endocrinologist and have your IGF1 levels checked. It’s probably not this. Acromegaly is a rare disease. Unfortunately that doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen. It’s worth checking if you have any concerns. The earlier it is caught the more likely it is to be curable!

I have all the symptoms except irregular periods and numbness and weakness in the hands. My nose has certainly got bigger and my engagement ring no longer fits! But I put it down to peri as I'm 53. I'm gradually turning into my Mum & Dad looks wise!

I'm 41 as well and literally been thinking the same. My skin is definitely less radiant and I definitely no longer look youthful! But... I do look better now. I've lost weight, my eyebrows are much better and I'm more skilled with my makeup. I still look my age, but that's not a bad thing.

I’m 46 and get the “41 effect” totally. I also had a baby then which didn’t help 🤪. Please please keep having pics taken, you’ll regret that so much if you don’t even if you don’t look at them now.

Things I’ve found that have helped (low ish cost as I don’t have money to burn!):
skin&me subscription for tretinoin
gua sha for face massage with lymphatic drainage (very easy, free videos)
bit of face yoga (free videos)
castor oil at night

and yes, just seeing my good bits, self care and caring a bit less about it all!

I'm 41 and feel I've aged rapidly in the last three years. However, I have been told that I look younger than I am. My tips are:
teeth whitening
sunscreen during the day
retinol at night
sunglasses (to stave off further wrinkles around the eyes)

I'm a side sleeper and have a pillow to help me sleep on my back. It's a cheap version of this:

https://sleepandglow.co.uk/?findGeo=true