Will You Age Naturally?

Novella

As I always say in these kinds of "Would you..." threads, I don't know what I'll do. If I wake up one day in ten years, twenty years or fifty years and hate how I look, who knows, maybe I will opt for botox or cosmetic surgery. I don't really get the attitude some people have towards plastic surgery - it isn't natural, embrace what you have etc. If a person isn't happy with how they look and the only way to change that is with surgery, I don't see anything wrong with it. Different strokes for different folks!

I've been dying my hair for years, so I guess I'll continue with that as well. And just to clarify, it's not that I think aging isn't beautiful or whatever, but I can't for sure say that I'll be happy with wrinkles or sagging skin and for me, happiness is key.

newbee22

I will, except I will dye my hair because I do that now anyway!

nesbitt

Yes, I am aging the natural way.

I have always dyed my hair. I am not a fan of the grey look yet!. If a guy dyes his hair I think it is totally yuch!

I don't drink or smoke and have an active lifestyle. I eat well, and enjoy treats as I am naturally slim build. I drink water/tea and a little coffee.

If you have balance approach to life in general, in my opinion you will age well, the rest my dears is simply genetics!;)

panda100

Interesting thread!

I think its going to become more and more difficult for women to grow old naturally and not feel bad about themselves. Two of my sisters are in their early thirties and both have had botox, but would never,ever admit it to anyone.
I think already in the public eye you see people who say they do not have surgery or botox but they have no lines or wrinkles on their face. I think that does put the rest of us under pressure as 30 year olds now have to look like 20 year olds.

I guess because I am single and no spring chicken beginning to look older does freak me out a little bit. I've noticed more bags under my eye's, my boobs sagging a small bit and my once smooth knees becoming a bit wrinklier. But at the end of the day, I know that outward apperance really is irrelevant n the grand scheme of things.

I really like this extract from Naomi Wolf's 'The Beauty Myth', on women getting older

“You could see the signs of female ageing as diseased… Or you could see that if a woman is healthy she lives to grow old; as she thrives, she reacts and speaks and shows emotion, and grows into her face. Lines trace her thought and radiate from the corners of her eyes after decades of laughter, closing together like fans as she smiles.
You could call the lines a network of ‘serious lesions,’ or you could see that in a precise calligraphy, thought has etched marks of concentration between her brows, and drawn across her forehead the horizontal creases of surprise, delight, compassion and good talk. A lifetime of kissing, of speaking and weeping, shows expressively around a mouth scored like a leaf in motion. The skin loosens on her face and throat, giving her features a setting of sensual dignity; her features grow stronger as she does. She has looked around in her life, and it shows. When grey and white reflect in her hair, you could call it a dirty secret or you could call it silver or moonlight. Her body fills into itself, taking on gravity like a bather breasting water, growing generous with the rest of her. The darkening under her eyes, the weight of her lids, their minute cross-hatching, reveal that what she has been part of has left in her its complexity and richness. She is darker, stronger, looser, tougher, sexier. The maturing of a woman who has continued to grow is a beautiful thing to behold.
Or, if your ad revenue… depend on it, it is an operable condition.

offaly1

Deleted User wrote: »

I genuinely don't think that's true. I've seen many women with grey hair that have also looked so knowing and
distinguished.

well personally i dont think i can get away with letting the grey hairs show, i think i'd feel alot older than my 28years..... damn my genes!!

coffee_cake

I like having some grey hair, but I get light highlights so it wouldn't show. But I wouldn't dye/highlight just for the grey hair, I don't have a problem with it.

Jenneke87

Nope, I won't. I dye my hair, use make up to look better and hide my eczema and scars. If I get really deep wrinkels one day, I would not be against using botox to make them dissapear. If I would get really saggy breasts, I would have them lifted(if afforable) because I know it would become something of great annoyance if I wouldn't have it done. Anything else will hopefully avoided as much as possible by proper self care.

carolinespring

I will do as much as I can to look as good as I can for as long as I can!!!!

Looking after my skin, making sure my hair looks good, dressing for my age and body, eating as good as I can, also to keep fit. I think a lot of it is state of mind and staying positive about getting older. Keeping ones interests and keeping up to date with what is happening around you. My 80 year old Mum still buys and reads fachion magazines as well as the Irish time every day. She keeps her hair and make up fresh and up to date, dresses in a classic style that is suitable for her age but has a trendy edge.

starlit

I hope so! I'd like to age gracefully! I think if you look after your skin and hair, eat well and be healthy without any intervention of slowing down the process you should have nothing to worry about ageing. There are very few elderly people of over 80 without natural wrinkles like (how many can vary depending on the person's lifestyle I suppose)!

I'd rather have grey hair, wrinkles and be old than be full of botox and chemcials in my hair and body to keep myself young and looking like the likes of pete burns thank you very much! Plastic surgery gone wrong...oops! Wouldn't want to go down that road best to avoid it and be happy what ever way I turn out.

Of course I would keep my skin in good condition with the best of creams and moisturiser and make-up. I'd just put up with myself getting old and not bother about it. I die happy!

miec

I do dye my hair, I was going grey since I was fourteen (I have/had jet black hair), the trick is to go two shades lighter than your natural colour) but that is far as it goes. I'm 39 and no wrinkles yet, I believe I inherited my parents youthful genes. I also bleach the hair on my upper lip and if I could afford it I would have laser treatment on it (this is another sign of ageing). As for using anti-wrinkle creams, I believe they are a waste of money, I just use an ordinary mosturiser.

Would I consider botox or surgery? Well my boobs are already sagging, my eye lids are getting heavier and I have age spots so I doubt I will at this stage.

@Panda100, I loved the quote and as I read it I kept thinking about Madonna and how bizzare she looks. Aesthetically yes she looks youthful, lithe body that is the same size as her daughter but she looks...odd. There is no character in her face, she almost looks mannequinish as do other heavily botoxed / surgically altered men and women.

Das Kitty

I will definitely dye my hair. I've seen what it looks like greying on my mother and it's a really horrible mix.

As far as anything else goes, there aren't any surgeries currently available that I'd go for, they mostly look slightly off or in some cases don't last long.

WindSock

Jenneke87 wrote: »

Nope, I won't. I dye my hair, use make up to look better and hide my eczema and scars. If I get really deep wrinkels one day, I would not be against using botox to make them dissapear. If I would get really saggy breasts, I would have them lifted(if afforable) because I know it would become something of great annoyance if I wouldn't have it done. Anything else will hopefully avoided as much as possible by proper self care.

I'd probably do the same. I'd try a bit of botox, I am curious more to see what it is like. And if my boobs get quite saggy and in the way I would consider a reduction or lift. And maybe a tummy tuck if its protruding uncomfortably. Wouldn't get any facial features changed though.

Blush_01

Whispered wrote: »

There is a certain woman in my mind and I can't for the life of me remember who she is. I think she was on one of the crappy programmes my mother watched when I was a child like touched by an angel or doctor quinn. But she had long grey hair tied into a loose plait. It was just stunning.

Judging Amy? Tyne Daly was the person I thought of when you mentioned the long grey plait!

I've dyed my hair since I was 12. Love my current slightly funky hair colour. It's not to do with age, it's to do with personality. My normal hair colour bores me. I revisit it occasionally, but I don't like it as much as I do more vibrant colours.

I would always have thought I'd have nothing to do with cosmetic surgery, however I've lost some weight recently (not as much as I intend to lose, but a large amount - I'm about a quarter there, I think) and by the time I lose the rest of the weight I intend to lose - the equivalent of a small person - I'm afraid I'll have a lot of excess skin, especially where my chest used to be. For confidence reasons, if that is the case I will consider surgery, but not without a lot of serious thought and research. I say that because I've only lost a portion of the weight I have to lose, and I already feel very self conscious about where my chest lies... but things could get better with different types of exercise etc. and I don't know where I will stand in terms of tone when I'm done.

I figure I've been honest enough on other threads here to be honest on this one. I abhor the thoughts of cosmetic surgery when it takes advantage of peoples insecurities without providing adequate emotional support as a primary treatment. People like Lolo Ferrari to me are looking for more than cosmetic enhancement, because of the extremes they go to, but that's just a rash judgement, I never knew the woman, she could have been fully aware of what her options were and her motivation could have been fully sound.

I love my skin, for all the abuse it gets. I'm getting happier in it. I'd like to think I'll accept whatever it throws my way as I get older. It's hard to make that kind of decision at my age though - I don't know what's around the corner, and I won't judge myself, or anyone else, for keeping their options open.

I still think natural beauty is the most beautiful, regardless of age. However, I still wear make-up to work and when I socialise, to enhance what I have. I guess it depends on your opinion of what constitutes natural beauty. Have I completely wandered off the point?

Dudess

Guess not - been dying my hair since the first white at 17 (although was doing so before that also). Plus I moisturise religiously. Don't think I'd do anything else but easy to say I suppose. Botox/breast lift would be the most drastic I'd go for though.

Sanjuro

Started to lose my hair, so I figured why not just go the whole-hog and shave all of it off. On my head, of course. Even my da at one point dragged me in to watch a hair-restoration ad on the television, but I'm pretty sure he was taking the piss. There's no point in fighting nature. By all means, do what makes you feel good, but I find the whole thing about fighting aging (the extreme end of it- hair plugs, botox, etc) looks a little obvious and smacks of vanity.

Michellenman

Depends on what you mean by naturally? Do you mean by not have injections of collagen/fillers/botox and surgery?

I don't *think* I'd ever have surgery (mainly because I can't go to the dentist without crying - fear of white coats :pac:). I couldn't imagine putting myself at risk really. But that could change. I wouldn't rule it out entirely.

I've always dyed my hair though (just a shade or 2 darker) and I'll be rubbing creams in to my face and eyes until the cows come home if it keeps the crows feet at bay for a little while longer.

LegacyUser

No way will I age naturally!

I have been having botox and fillers since I was 30 (over 10 years) and dying my hair since I was 15. I wouldn't dream of going around with grey hair or wrinkles.

I am getting some cosmetic dentistry done shortly and can't wait.

When the time comes I will have a facelift and anything else required.

squishykins

I've been dying my hair for years, just cuz I think it's nicer than my natural hair colour, and it's near impossible to lift black so I'll probably be sticking to it :P I'm not against using creams and stuff, I have the most atrocious black bags under my eyes so that simply must be fixed :P

I used to consider myself totally against surgery, but after I have kids I'll probably get a breastlift, considering they already sag at 18! I don't even wanna know what they'll be like in 10, 20 years...And possibly get my teeth crowned...if I can afford it =D

Pythia

Will definitely get Botox, perhaps cosmetic surgery, no greys yet but will definitely dye my hair when the time comes. Also keep up with lots of make up and nice clothes. Don't see the point of letting myself age naturally when I don't look natural right now either.

Maple

I'd say no to cosmetic surgery, but sure if I won the Lotto in the morning maybe i'd go for a nice "holiday" and come back all face peeled, lipo'd and my boobs up around my nose.

But in all seriousness, I can't see myself ever having surgery. Breast lift I would consider tho if I ever need it. But then that's my thinking now, maybe if I do need it i'll think it the most ridiculous suggestion ever.

For the moment now tho, I drink plenty of water, eat healthy-ish, don't smoke and don't drink alcohol (that much) so i'm doing ok.

Stench Blossoms

At the rip old age of 24 I've already had some plastic surgery so no I won't be ageing naturally.

Eve_Dublin

Definitely won´t be getting cut up or cosmetic surgery. I plan to take really good care of myself and be one of those older women who age naturally but still look really classy and sexy. I feel that you really can´t hold back the hands of time and one day you´re either going to look like Cher or else BAM! old age will kick in all of a sudden and there won´t be that slow progression into old age when you just things take their course and you´ll end of up literally getting the shock of a lifetime and so will those around you. I´d say I wouldn´t be able to handle either.

Plus I can´t see myself ever being in a position to be able to afford it.

I´m dying my naturally blonde hair red this year anyway for a change and if it looks good, I might stick with it..I had red hair in my mid-twenties and it really suited me...

But whatever everyone wants to do...

Cat Melodeon

I'm mid-30s. Started dying my hair in my early 20s and underneath the pretence I am now significantly grey. I will not be revealing this to the general public until I'm in my mid-50s as it's not an elegant grey, more unkempt badger than silver fox.

Other than that, no, I probably won't be faking anything. I've a few lines but have my mother's skin which ages well once we stay out of the sun. My boobs have started to droop a bit, but I love them and won't be needing anything more than decent underwear. Bodywise - I've quite a few extra kgs on me but we're mid-family-making so I'm not too bothered by that right now - plenty of expanding and contracting to be done in the next few years, all going well. Body shape will become an issue once we're done, I don't want to be dumpy and middle-aged at 40, plan to live a long and healthy life full of family and dogs and travels. I don't really care if I have a few wrinkles and wobbly bits along for the ride.

Jeanette Haynes

Everyone to their own! if you are happy to grow old without any intervention - then good for you! If you look in the mirror and what you see just doesnt reflect how you feel - then a little help might do wonders for your self confidence. How you feel as you age is a very personal experience so I dont think we should judge people. I am happy with a little help as it makes me feel good - and when I look and feel good, I am good with others! However prevention is always better then cure - so if its your appearance your worried about as you age - protect your skin with and SPF daily and give up the cigarettes!

NoDice

Stacey London fro What Not To Wear USA is a perfect example of how a woman going grey can still look beautiful. I just admire how she hasn't dyed over that strip of grey!






I've quite a few greys already since I've been about 17 but I admittedly run a bit of dye through my roots, same colour as my natural hair, to cover them up as I'm still quite young. I'd say I'll stop doing this eventually but not in my 20s.

I won't go the plastic surgery route defo and I won't be spending a fortune on different anti-aging creams. A few wrinkles can be sexy imo.

candy-gal1

If you have the money for surgery then go for it, when you reach a certain age (and thats whenever you feel like things are beginning to drop and wrinkle) then theres no harm in getting a little bit done imho.

Minier81

I won't go with plastic surgery or botox, but I would probably dye my hair. So I'd age semi-naturally - nothing wrong with a few laughter lines, they show character

G86

I've been dying my hair for years, for fun , so I imagine I'll keep doing it when I go grey too! As for the oul nip/tuck - I don't think I'd go there.