How do you handle your appearance asyou age?

@galere
I can relate. Just yesterday, a loved one noticed for the first time that my arms are becoming crepey (noticed not in a critical way, just questioning what that was….). Of course, there have been many less than attractive changes to my body that I have been noticing! And I have known grief over this as you have related, asking myself “Wow, so this is really happening now?”

I care for my 94 year old dad. He can barely walk with a walker, etc etc etc. But he still takes care in shaving, carefully choosing his outfit when a favorite nurse is coming to the house, wants his comb in the hospital. May we never give up on respecting ourselves enough to look our best!
But you know, I am trying to accept that maybe this season of life has MORE for me than trying to keep up with what the world values as attractive. (Not that I will give up those creams, etc!). Maybe I (and you and all our aging sisters!) have more to offer each other and the world, than competing or trying to keep up in this way. Maybe in our aging selves we are now more “comfortable” and relatable and approachable so that others can accept what we have to offer from the INSIDE, rather than getting caught up in envy, competition, etc. For me, I am hoping that can be an inner light of faith and joy and hope that I believe only comes from Christ. But for anyone no matter what you believe, are we not attracted most to those who have that sparkle in their eye, that spark of humor and fun and joy? I would like to be THAT person “when I grow up”! Not as a consolation prize for losing the little good looks I used to have, but as something more!

Your picture shows a lovely and very stylish woman on the outside, who I would be proud to be seen with and call friend. Your discussion shows a woman of great sensitivity and willingness to be vulnerable and relatable and one who earnestly seeks open discussion and listens to others’ opinions—qualities of a true companion and friend in life. I pray you will share unashamedly with the world that inner light and love (packaged in that beautiful “outside”)—that is true beauty that time cannot ravage!

(And now I’ll get off my soapbox and go try to live this today myself, haha!)

I get you! I look in the mirror and greet my mother every morning! I try to smile as much as possible, practice gratitude, and complain only to my BESTIE.

@slarson14 You look worst in the morning? I am the exact opposite. By the time 7 pm rolls around, my eyelids are drooping. If I ever needing to start dating again, I’ll say, “Let’s meet for breakfast.” because I know my skin and face looks its best then.
Do you take collagen powder? I add some to my protein powder smoothie every day. The experts say it helps. I am 69 and people often say I look younger, but I don’t feel younger. I may have the same joie de vivre as I did at 30, but I don’t feel I am in my age 30 body anymore.

I'm a 73 year old man. I was never much to look at even when I was young so I don't worry about it so much now, but I can be depressed by the strength and stamina that I have lost. There's a line from a movie called Mr Skeffington that goes something like this...a woman is beautiful when she is loved. As long as someone in your life loves you, you are beautiful! Never judge yourself harsher than you would judge someone else.

@rjdowdell25 Wow! You look great. Beautiful smile and skin. ( perhaps coloring your hair w/ subtle highlights would take 15 years off?) But you are truly lovely the way you are now. Sadly our society puts so much emphasis on outer beauty. I am in my mid 50's with grey hair but it is colored a natural looking strawberry blonde. A little lipstick helps too. But that's as far as I'll go. Have contemplated Botox, fillers, etc. However I plan to to grow old gracefully. Besides, a genuine smile works wonders and true beauty comes from within.

I'm a 73 year old man and hopefully I don't offend anyone, but I think that shorter hair looks better on most senior ladies. I have seen some women who can pull off the long hair look, but I have also seen many others who look 10 years older because of their long hair. This is not a criticism, just an opinion for anyone looking for one.

I agree with previous comments, I have other things to do and think about than wrinkles and that I look my age (I turn 73 in a couple of months). I can tell that others - people I meet out and about - grocery store, restaurants, etc - treat me a bit differently (older, or like a grandma), but I don’t let that bother me, I chatter at them just as I did when I was 40 (or whatever), if they want to pigeonhole me (old lady), that’s their problem - and loss.
I am happy to be here, running around etc. What I do that totally lifts my spirits and keeps me in shape, is go to my Y 3-4 times a week. This is a boost to my overall health, I work hard there, have a personal trainer twice a week, and I am very fortunate that I’m able to do this - jump up off the floor when I need to (squats and lunges are your friends!), along with much improved balance. I live in Colorado and it’s a ‘state mandate’🤣 that you have to keep running around - get out and hike - etc, so far so good! Just very very fortunate as I spent most of 2025 going for chemo treatments - major surgery - lots of lying around plus weight loss. It’s a mental and faith thing, and I was not ready to throw in the towel. Hoping to keep on for many years!

@szucker99 It happened to me after I had cataract surgery and could really see myself in the mirror. For years, I saw my mother looking back at me; now it’s my grandmother. Fortunately I can laugh about it but I have increased the use of moisturizers and serums these days, to plump up the skin in between the wrinkles. I’m 75. I love how well I see though, so seeing my wrinkles is a small price to pay for that.

@kjoed53 Yes, I am more upset about the loss of strength, stamina, foot pain than I am about my looks. But having had some physical therapy last year that surprisingly resolved a long term nagging knee injury, I found out there are things I can do - should do routinely - to improve.

@kjoed53 That was always the conventional wisdom but the rules have changed. The idea is to pull the attention toward your best features and most of us don't want our jowl lines emphasized as we age. Thanks for weighing in from the other side. (I'm smiling.)