Women Over 50: How Do You Feel About Losing Your Looks?

Parent Cafe
501

<p>Las ma -</p>

<p>I didn’t have brown spots on the back of the hands yet, but a lot of brown spots - all over my forearms, i guess from sun over the years? Anyway, I asked my derm, and she brought out the laser. She said I was a good candidate because my skin is light, and I guess the dark spots weren’t too dark yet.</p>

<p>They scabbed over (looked very weird for about a week) - then they were mostly gone! Only a few left, and those much lighter. </p>

<p>I usually don’t do stuff like this, but I was kind of curious. If anyone decides to do this, i would try it on one or two spots and see the result first. ALso, check to see if its covered by your insurance - and exactly how much it would cost if not.</p>

<p>Now if anyone has a way to get rid of dark circles under the eyes, let me know. My derm says its a genetic thing, and the creams don’t work. I always look like I need sleep, or like a raccoon that needs sleep!</p>

502

<p>I can’t identify with the dark circles, but I have puffy bags – and it is genetic; my father had them too. I always swore I’d have plastic surgery when I reached 40. Well, here it is 23 years later, and I still haven’t done it.</p>

<p>If I had money to burn, I’d get veneers on my teeth and a whole face lift. </p>

<p>Don’t have money to burn, unfortunately.</p>

503

<p>Yesterday I had a facial done in a back room at a beauty shop. She came highly recommended by my masseuse. She spent an hour to massage my facial muscle, to relax it and drain my sinus. After she was done, muscles between my eyes were less tight and I looked less angry. The best part is her fee is 50% of high end spa.</p>

504

<p>LasMa,
There is a cream (and thank you for reminding me to put it on) called Palmer’s Skin Success Eventone Fade Cream [Palmer’s</a> Fade Cream Skin Success Review: is it worth it? | Skin Whitening.org](<a href=“http://www.skinwhitening.org/reviews/palmers-fade-cream/]Palmer’s”>http://www.skinwhitening.org/reviews/palmers-fade-cream/) that seems to help lighten the age spots.</p>

<p>I am off for a massage and facial today. Can’t wait! Birthday present to myself :)</p>

505

<p>Happy Birthday jym626.</p>

506

<p>Thanks Packmom! You are so sweet.</p>

507

<p>San-dee, my dermatologist (who is also a Clinical Prof. of Dermatology at NYU Med) tested a new laser treatment on my dark circles, but it didn’t work on anyone, so for now it’s on the back burner. I have hope that they’ll come up with something soon and I’ll be first in line when she starts clinical trials again (it’s free so nothing to lose.) </p>

<p>Had my last sublative rejuvination treatment on Wednesday. The first few days after is a horror but so far it’s been worth it, imo.</p>

508

<p>San-dee, I have the dark circles too. I’ve tried several things. The doc put me on VitaminD and I thought that was helping (I also use lots of moisturizer there), but every year they seem to be getting worse.</p>

509

<p>Interesting…my new(ish) endocrinologist is checking my Vit D levels…I wonder if its because he noticed the raccoon circles?? In any case, it seems like there isn’t much to do about it.</p>

510

<p>Worknprogress2,</p>

<p>I highly recommend electrolysis for facial hair removal. I used to wax my eyebrows, but not anymore. Depending on how much hair you have, it might take quite a number of sessions, but once you are done, the hair are gone for good. It is very good investment.</p>

<p>I would not recommend laser on facial hair, because for the most part facial hair are not coarse enough and laser can actually cause paradoxical hair growth - the hair will grow thicker and darker and will not be susceptible to further laser treatment. Laser works great though on legs, underarms and bikini line (but not happy trail, use electrolysis there), but only if hair is dark.</p>

<p>I hope it helps. Since I’ve done it all for myself - with great result and after much research, I can answer questions regarding those procedures, if you are interested.</p>

511

<p>OK, I just googled “happy trail.” I am now wiser.</p>

<p>Lerkin: For the bikini line, how long/how much $$ did it take??</p>

512

<p>VeryHappy,</p>

<p>I only had to do 5 treatments, but I am not your typical case. First, prior to getting laser treatments, I never waxed, never applied depilatory creams or devices - only shaved. So, the hair were not distorted and thus easier to treat. I have heard some people need 8-10 treatments, but I am not sure if it is because they had distorted hair or because they did not space their appointments correctly.</p>

<p>After doing my research, I never scheduled appointments every 6 weeks - which they usually recommend. I went every 10-16 weeks, depending on whether or not I had enough hair to treat. </p>

<p>I don’t know exactly how much I paid, because I bought a package and they gave me 50% off on the top of the package price. I believe it ended up being $75 per session. </p>

<p>Also, I went to a place that had real laser that is also easy to operate. My place used Cynosure Elite, which is also not as painful as GentleLase. I tried GentleLase on my legs and underarms and there would be no way it would come near my bikini zone.</p>

<p>Also, some of the hair were not dark enough and thus the laser did not work on them. I used electrolysis to get rid of those.</p>

513

<p>A relevant article from Yahoo news:</p>

<p>[16</a> Amazing Anti-Aging Beauty Tips | Beauty - Yahoo! Shine](<a href=“http://shine.yahoo.com/beauty/16-amazing-anti-aging-beauty-tips-161700496.html]16”>16 Amazing Anti-Aging Beauty Tips)</p>

514

<p>Women start losing their looks after 30.
Unless they have superb genetics and lead a fitness lifestyle.</p>

515

<p>Three years ago, my daughter had to have some dental work done by a maxiofacial surgeon. I took her to the appointment and was walking back to take care of the bill when the billing person asked me whether I was all right. I had been up much of the night before because the dental work was a result of a fall in the night. I answered that I was fine.</p>

<p>A few minutes later, she asked me again if I was all right. I said, “You have worked in this plastic surgery clinic too long. This is what 50 looks like.” we both laughed and she did not ask me again.</p>

516

<p>Great line, MD Mom!</p>

517

<p>I’m 50 and I’m starting to wonder what 50 really looks like …</p>

<p>I was in the ER with my husband Thursday afternoon and the doctor came in and looked at my husband (who had kidney stones and looked like hell) and said Oh, this is your daughter, then?"</p>

<p>Friday, I went to the cafeteria at the same hospital to get a cup of coffee. The price seemed kind of low so I looked at the receipt - the cashier had given me the senior discount! Without even asking!</p>

<p>Then Saturday, I stopped to buy beer and the kid behind the counter asked for ID. Make up your minds, people!</p>

518

<p>Been watching this thread for days and reading it in little chunks. Have to re-read in its entirety.</p>

<p>Anyway, I’m not over fifty yet, but the upcoming reality of losing my looks is weighing on me suddenly…I’m 46. I am attractive, or so I’ve been told repeatedly - and sadly, I do believe it helps people get better jobs, have attention paid to them, etc. I fear becoming somewhat ‘invisible’. Going places with D1 has made me more conscious of it - she is very attractive, and I see heads turning. I know they are not necessarily for me! At one time, they were.</p>

<p>I am divorcing in a few years…it’s a planned event. Sad, I know. So, it’s making me think more about how I am going to look at fifty, because I would not mind being in a new relationship, but I know the odds may be against me. The few people I’ve shared my situation with have told me to speed up the process, but I simply want to live in my house and enjoy D2 having friends over, doing family things, etc, for a few more years. It’s more important than my independence. The situation in the house is manageable. </p>

<p>I never invested in expensive makeup - sunscreen, YES. Thankfully, and it makes a huge difference as I look at same-age faces. But now, I find myself strategically choosing better products, and some of it is making a difference. I am also quite fit, so that helps as well. My focus has been more on me, my profession, self esteem, my social skills, and meeting people (women and men - just for fun) and creating the foundation of a future life that may be completely independent.</p>

<p>I find people’s looks really vary in their 40’s and 50’s. Lifestyle, genetics, weight, personal care, and clothing make huge differences. I get looks of shock when I tell people I have a 21 year old.</p>

<p>If I weren’t getting divorced, I think I’d be a bit more comfortable in my skin. Sad but true.</p>

519

<p>

</p>

<p>Whoa, whoa!</p>

<p>So you and your husband have discussed this and agreed to it, including a future timeframe? Do your children know?</p>

<p>I’m just wondering how this works. Do you date? Does your husband?</p>

520

<p>I think the key to maintaining looks is sunscreen. My kids will have no wrinkles because of the sheer volume of sunscreen they have worn their whole lives :)</p>

<p>I don’t like the title of the thread “losing” one’s looks. I prefer to think of it as ones looks are “changing.” I feel like I look pretty good for my 40’s, but even if I can fit into some fashions, I know I shouldn’t necessarily wear them. And my teenager is right there to point that out to me. </p>

<p>I am tall and I find myself really watching my posture. Nothing ages you more than poor posture from a distance. The other thing that bothers me are all the veins and things on my legs. They have always been there, I have always had a mottled appearance on my legs, but all of a sudden they look older to me and I can’t discern why. Oh well I really shouldn’t be wearing short shorts any more anyway.</p>