How do you handle your appearance as you age?

Posted by Lee @galere, Jun 3 5:08am

I don't want to sound vain, or anything like that, but it looks like I aged overnight. I need dental work , that doesn't help much, but I'm almost so self conscious I don't want to go out anywhere.
I've always taken care of my skin, with creams etc. But the wrinkles just seemed to of came on.
I know this probably sounds like I care to much for looks but I feel ashamed of myself

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Profile picture for danae25 @danae25

@babbsjoy As hard as it is caring for someone else, it is also kind of a blessing. I got to know my father on a whole different level and the time we spent together is a treasure in my memory. I hope you are getting help in this journey. It sounds like you appreciate the things around you.

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@danae25

There are so many blessings in life to enjoy, even when our lives are not going “according to plan”! I am so glad that you have warm memories to treasure from your time with your father!

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@katieliz The best thing about growing old is that you can say what you want and people will just chalk it up to being a weird old lady.

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@danae25 Yes, love this!

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My answer to you Dear Lady would be "Gracefully". PLEASE, by no means that this remark as sarcastic. At 77, if I am not in pain for an hour or so each day, I say thank you to my guardian angel, and get in my car and go out amongst people. I say hello, yes, with missing teeth, I smile at strangers, and I hold my head tall and proudly that I am a senior. And, yes, well over 50 years ago I was a model. I have found that the ageing process is something we are not taught in school; therefore, I have personally struggled with it. WHAT IS HAPPENING TO MY BODY ! Loss of collagen, loss of bone structure and where the heck did I get RA from !!! I am who I am. And I attempt to do it with as much grace as I can muster up. Go Forward, and do it Gracefully.

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Profile picture for danae25 @danae25

@kildaren96 Thank you for naming products that work for you. I see there is a great deal of interest in the Korean skincare. I have spent some money on Neutrogena products. There are too many products to choose from. I wanted to try retinol to get rid of a few dark spots. My skin is thin and ultra-sensitive. Many products irritate it and layers make me hot (not in a good way). Most sunscreens are too thick for me. Cera Ve and La Roche-Posay (works well for my sister) are too thick. I prefer a light but not watery moisturizer (Aveeno Oat Gel) and have been using Neutrogena healthy skin anti-aging perfector to cover those dark spots (daytime). It is tinted, has SPF 20 and retinol. Also Rapid Tone Repair with retinol + vitamin C (night). I live up north and wear a hat when I am in the sun for long periods.

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@danae25 Thank you for telling me about the Neutrogena line that works well for you. I’ve always had problems with Retin A products but might try the Rapid Tone Repair that also includes vitamin C as I need a good Vitamin C product as I have discolorations from my youthful years in the sun. I do plan to try Neutrogena’s Hydro Boost Water Gel/Cream when I get low on my La Roche-Posay as I’ve heard really good things about it. I understand that the newer formulation have the word Cream vs Gel on it but that both are good. I know what you mean about Cera Ve being thick. I use that moisturizer at night. I’m also going to get over to our Trader Joe’s again one of these days to see if they are finally carrying their vitamin C and retinol products which get good reviews from dermatologists. I do love and use their lightweight moisturizer under my sunblock and foundation

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Profile picture for Nanci @kildaren96

@danae25 Thank you for telling me about the Neutrogena line that works well for you. I’ve always had problems with Retin A products but might try the Rapid Tone Repair that also includes vitamin C as I need a good Vitamin C product as I have discolorations from my youthful years in the sun. I do plan to try Neutrogena’s Hydro Boost Water Gel/Cream when I get low on my La Roche-Posay as I’ve heard really good things about it. I understand that the newer formulation have the word Cream vs Gel on it but that both are good. I know what you mean about Cera Ve being thick. I use that moisturizer at night. I’m also going to get over to our Trader Joe’s again one of these days to see if they are finally carrying their vitamin C and retinol products which get good reviews from dermatologists. I do love and use their lightweight moisturizer under my sunblock and foundation

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@kildaren96 I got a sample of the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel and liked it. I have also heard good things about the Trader Joe products. I wish more of these skincare products were available in trial size.

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At 68 I feel as if I am smiling and happy that, that 's all that matters. Yes I've aged but what a blessing! I'm not going to say I don't care what I look like, because I do! I use Retin A .10 strength and bioderm oil on my face. Nivea Q10 on my body. My teeth are another matter, I am going to a dental school because I need so much work done and several implants and they ridiculously expensive and the dental school provides me with a way to afford it all. I love to buy "new" clothes at vintage stores and I find it helpful to see other women my age online that share my sense of quirky fashion. I'm thinking of doing a skin peel at some point but not sure when maybe as a birthday gift when I'm 70 but only after I buy my first very used Porsche 911 or maybe a VW GTI or GLI or maybe an R.

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Never give up. If you can move you can exercise. Walk, lift weights (even 2 lbs is ok), stretch. Maybe join a gym with a silver sneakers discount and a free introduction to the equipment. Get a good haircut. Do some laser if you can afford it. Consciously breathe while you fill your mind with positivity and gratitude.

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You know what? It’s really hard in your 70s and beyond to feel good about yourself when you have chronic pain. And it’s really easy to let yourself go. As much as it hurts, I try to get dressed every day, include putting on a bra! Keeping your knockers up helps your sense of worth! Don’t let them roam free.
It’s painful to do my hair but I try to make it presentable and if I’m going out that day, I put on some make up or at least some lipstick. I try not to dress too shabbily. That also affects my self-worth. For those of you who don’t struggle with chronic pain or even depression, these daily tasks are really difficult but can make all the difference in the world in how you feel.

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Profile picture for calofmichigan @calofmichigan

You know what? It’s really hard in your 70s and beyond to feel good about yourself when you have chronic pain. And it’s really easy to let yourself go. As much as it hurts, I try to get dressed every day, include putting on a bra! Keeping your knockers up helps your sense of worth! Don’t let them roam free.
It’s painful to do my hair but I try to make it presentable and if I’m going out that day, I put on some make up or at least some lipstick. I try not to dress too shabbily. That also affects my self-worth. For those of you who don’t struggle with chronic pain or even depression, these daily tasks are really difficult but can make all the difference in the world in how you feel.

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@calofmichigan
Good for you making an effort to get dressed etc. when you are in pain! I admire you for that. It does make a difference in how you feel about yourself. I'm 80 and everyday I put on my makeup and try and dress presentable. Luckily, I don't have any chronic pain to cope with. But it makes me feel better about myself to look as neat as I can.

Keep up your good habits! That's fantastic!
PML

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Profile picture for calofmichigan @calofmichigan

You know what? It’s really hard in your 70s and beyond to feel good about yourself when you have chronic pain. And it’s really easy to let yourself go. As much as it hurts, I try to get dressed every day, include putting on a bra! Keeping your knockers up helps your sense of worth! Don’t let them roam free.
It’s painful to do my hair but I try to make it presentable and if I’m going out that day, I put on some make up or at least some lipstick. I try not to dress too shabbily. That also affects my self-worth. For those of you who don’t struggle with chronic pain or even depression, these daily tasks are really difficult but can make all the difference in the world in how you feel.

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@calofmichigan

Knockers up!!!!!

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