Shocked by aging process

This isn’t typical aging sudden nail breakage, hair loss, brain fog, and wooziness often point to something treatable like nutrient deficiencies (iron, B12), thyroid issues such as Hypothyroidism, or hormonal imbalance, so you should get checked soon with basic labs (CBC, iron, B12, TSH, vitamin D), especially since the dizziness could signal something that needs prompt attention.

Thanks so much, Cynthia ~ my pleasure to share "Poetry Matters" with you. http://woonietest.blogspot.com
Have a great day.
Helen in Bend Oregon

The recent intentional, peaceful death of a friend who was in failing health, and the serious illness of a beloved neighbor have underlined my awareness of mortality as I notice a few not-very-troubling changes in my aging body. I constantly look for ways to reduce my "object footprint," knowing that some day someone will need to clean up whatever I leave behind.

But in response to several earlier comments, I feel very glad that I live in a small self-governing co-housing community of 23 homes.
Working with new families we are now planning tree and forest management 30+ years into the future, gradually removing poorly placed pine trees and introducing smaller native shade trees that can be well-maintained near homes.
I've been concerned about this for a long time, but couldn't motivate the people who were satisfied with the way things were.
I am loving the young families, working with them in any way I can help to build a more secure future for our little community, feeling that some of my efforts will be serving life when I'm gone.

I remember as a teenager waking up in, say, 1973 and seeing where my new pimple arrived overnight. Now, at 69 my skin is failing me, despite a healthy diet and exercise. Every morning, I feel I see a new wrinkle. In the last year, I feel my face has aged five years. It saddens me, but I am glad my body is fairly healthy.

A dermatologist told me years ago: most wrinkles come from the breakdown of collagen, not sun damage. I believe him. I use a good quality collagen powder in my smoothie everyday. Anyone have a better idea?

@slarson14 hahaha snort. I needed that visual. Thank you. Yes life is grand. Your arm is just waving to people you pass by.

@barbaradh a lot of it is genetics. You could always do laser. It works. So does red light.

@barbaradh

I’m exactly the same age as you. About a year ago I was in very similar place. I couldn’t stand mirrors because I didn’t like how I looked. Outside of this chat room and watching a few YouTube videos I am not on social media. I came across a woman on YouTube by the name of Nikole Johnson. Her videos helped me more than I can tell you. Mind you, she’s a former model and a very beautiful woman, but it’s her attitude and her support of women in their 50s and beyond that is amazing. She really helped me except the aging process and see the beauty. She also helps you with makeup tips and skin care.

You may want to look at her videos. She has thousands of women that faithfully follow her, women in their 40s all the way into their 90s. She’s been on YouTube for years.

I can’t begin to tell you how much she helped me change my attitude not just about how I see myself, but it helped and still joy and me that I haven’t felt in years.

Good luck, Barbara!

@barbaradh You may be familiar with an ingredient Retinol that is in a lot of expensive creams from cosmetic companies. A dermatologist gave me a prescription for Tretinoin Cream .1% strength that comes in a tube with 45 grams. My drug plans charges $15 for this generic drug.

Tretinoin and retinol are both vitamin A derivatives (retinoids) that improve skin texture, reduce wrinkles by accelerating skin cell turnover which is diminished with age & boost collagen production. They differ significantly in potency. Tretinoin is a prescription-strength medication containing active retinoic acid, making it roughly 10 times more potent than retinol that is in the cosmetic creams and capable of faster, more dramatic results. My doctor said to use just a small finger tip amount for my entire face. So you do not use a lot. It is also good to put on the top of your hands and neck. Any doctor can prescribe. I now get a prescription from my primary doctor.

Some people are sensitive to the ingredient especially if you have pre-existing conditions like rosacea or eczema and they recommend you use a little until you determine if you are sensitive.. I was not sensitive at all. Best of luck to you.

Tretinoin (all-trans retinoic acid) is a prescription-strength synthetic vitamin A derivative (retinoid) primarily used to treat acne vulgaris and signs of photoaging (fine lines, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation). It is the only topical retinoid FDA-approved for both conditions, working by binding to nuclear receptors to accelerate skin cell turnover & stimulate collagen production.

I'm a 73 year old man dealing with PMR, so I'm on prednisone and other ailments that limit my activity but not my appetite. I'm not happy with the way I look right now, but I don't worry about it anymore. I was never much to look at anyway and some of what I see in the mirror are the scars of what I have experienced and survived both physically and mentally. Personally, I don't think a woman approaches being beautiful until she reaches 40. Beauty is not just a physical aspect but all encompassing. That includes personality, sense of humor and especially sensitivity. I find extraordinary beauty in women's eyes. The eyes are the window to the soul. When you look in the mirror, look at your eyes and smile, because when I see you, that's what I will do.

@pmhpesp5 🤣