# What can I do to avoid looking old **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 26, 2006, 5:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-i-do-to-avoid-looking-old/358292 "2006-05-26T05:33:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2006, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-i-do-to-avoid-looking-old/358292/21 "2006-05-26T13:01:23Z")
> [@twickster](#): > > Because you know it makes you sound like your values are really screwed up, perhaps? > > There’s not a goddamn thing wrong with looking your age. I’m 51, I look 51, and 51 is a great way to look. I continue to be attracted to men my age, because I’m not a perv – Richard Gere is way hotter with gray hair than he was 25 years ago. When I read personal ads and the guy says “I look way younger than my age,” I skip to the next ad. Seriously. Bravo! There’s nothing wrong with looking old, and it’s a damn sight better than trying to keep looking young, which usually only comes off as pathetic. ---
**Author:** ![Carnac\_the\_Magnificent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Carnac\_the\_Magnificent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carnac_the_Magnificent)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2006, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-i-do-to-avoid-looking-old/358292/22 "2006-05-26T13:02:52Z")
Release pent-up stress in healthy ways, whether through aerobic exercise, yoga or meditation. Stress takes a cumulative toll on one’s appearance. ---
**Author:** ![Gail](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Gail](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gail)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2006, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-i-do-to-avoid-looking-old/358292/23 "2006-05-26T13:08:10Z")
I’m 47 and people tell me I look like I’m in my 30’s. I use a lot of sunscreen. I exercise strenuously…(Bikram yoga–90 minutes–5 days a week). I am really careful about what I eat…few processed foods, lots of fruits and veggies, no meat, limited animal fats. I say I’m a strict vegetarian and a half-assed vegan. (This is working for me…I know it’s kind of radical and I don’t think everybody has to be a vegetarian.) I think to remain youthful, you also have to have an open mind and a positive outlook. People whom I think of as old are often very set in their ways. ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2006, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-i-do-to-avoid-looking-old/358292/24 "2006-05-26T13:17:13Z")
A friend of a friend has sme sort of medical condition where 1/2 their face was parilized. The ‘working side’ aged normally, while the ‘nonworking’ side appeared to be many years younger. So just don’t make facial expressions. ---
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2006, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-i-do-to-avoid-looking-old/358292/25 "2006-05-26T13:27:49Z")
Load up on sunscreen and don’t smoke. Those two things will age your skin more than anything. ---
**Author:** ![Maastricht](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a88e57/32.png) [@Maastricht](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maastricht)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2006, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-i-do-to-avoid-looking-old/358292/26 "2006-05-26T13:42:17Z")
> [@Freudian\_Slip](#): > > …Is there something specific that you think is making you look older? (say, you’ve already got some crow’s feet or furrow lines)? If you have those, you might want to consider seeing a dermatologist who does aesthetic work. The new products and procedures can work wonders, and some of them work better on mild-to-moderate cases … Crowfeet (aka laughing lines) on men? Hot ! Seriously, crowsfeet on men seem to be the new target for male cosmetics, but this is one of the things I’d wish they’d leave alone. A guy with lines in his face expressing that he has thought (for instance [Luke Perry, teen idol](http://kelli2002.tripod.com/kellisbeveryhills90210site/id13.html)) or laughed a lot, is as sexy as they come. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2006, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-i-do-to-avoid-looking-old/358292/27 "2006-05-26T15:14:48Z")
> [@Maastricht](#): > > Crowfeet (aka laughing lines) on men? Hot ! Seriously, crowsfeet on men seem to be the new target for male cosmetics, but this is one of the things I’d wish they’d leave alone. A guy with lines in his face expressing that he has thought or laughed a lot, is as sexy as they come. Damn straight. Having children takes a toll. So don’t have any, or give away the ones you have to charity. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![handsomeharry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e9c0ed/32.png) [@handsomeharry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handsomeharry)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2006, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-i-do-to-avoid-looking-old/358292/28 "2006-05-26T15:47:11Z")
Avoid the sun: think Robert Redford. Lift wieghts. Lose fat. Personal anecdote: When I was 26, I was very fat. Teenage babe said she had htought I was way older. When I was in 30s, no fat. Many 19-20 year old babes said (I know) that they thought I was mid-20s. hh ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2006, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-i-do-to-avoid-looking-old/358292/29 "2006-05-26T15:50:54Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > The only way to stop aging is to die. Tell it to [Aubrey De Grey](http://www.livescience.com/humanbiology/050411_aubrey_interview.html), I’ll be the coolest 300 year old living on Pluto someday. I have had the opposite problem most of my life, even though I’m almost 30 most people think I am 18-19. ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2006, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-i-do-to-avoid-looking-old/358292/30 "2006-05-26T15:51:38Z")
> [@Maastricht](#): > > And here are more make-over [before- and after pics,](http://www.oprah.com/tows/slide/200309/20030922/tows_slide_20030922_02.jhtml) from an Oprah-show. Thanks! Those pictures are eyopeners. Now, if I could only get in on such a show. I have gotten new and better glasses, and shorter hair, because, although I’m going bald, there’s one thing I swore I’d never be, a Combover Charlie, but beyond that, it’s a mystery. ---
**Author:** ![Malienation](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4af34b/32.png) [@Malienation](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malienation)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2006, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-i-do-to-avoid-looking-old/358292/31 "2006-05-26T20:12:23Z")
1. Exercise. Not only will you be thinner, buffer, and feel better, but you’ll _move_ better. Nothing says old like someone who lumbers along. 2. Sunscreen 3. Don’t smoke 4. Don’t take drugs or drink immoderately 5. If your hairline recedes, don’t combover. Cut your hair shorter; paradoxically, I found that when I cut my hair really short, I \*_appeared to have less hair, yet appeared less bald_. Odd, but true. In addition, very short hair appears less grey (for a man to dye his hair and have it appear natural is very difficult). 6. Dress younger than you are _but not too much younger_. If you do, you’ll look like a walking cliche. ---
**Author:** ![Malienation](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4af34b/32.png) [@Malienation](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malienation)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2006, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-i-do-to-avoid-looking-old/358292/32 "2006-05-26T20:13:53Z")
Crap. Somehow fucked up the italic formatting… ---
**Author:** ![Sattua](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sattua/32/11906_2.png) [@Sattua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sattua)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2006, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-i-do-to-avoid-looking-old/358292/33 "2006-05-26T20:26:13Z")
I am perfectly complacent in my role as the only Doper who gives this answer in these kinds of threads: Floss. Nice looking natural teeth are a good, good thing, and flossing tends to keep down inflammation, which runs down your body in general and which ages you. Sunscreen is good, too. Poor me. I never purposely tanned in my life, I am 25, and I’ve had two spots taken off and three more waiting in the wings. ---
**Author:** ![Walloon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/fbc32d/32.png) [@Walloon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walloon)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2006, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-i-do-to-avoid-looking-old/358292/34 "2006-05-26T20:40:06Z")
Stay out of the sun, or use sunscreen if you’re in it. Don’t smoke. Exercise regularly. Eat a healthy diet. Get enough sleep. If you drink alcohol, drink in moderation. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2006, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-i-do-to-avoid-looking-old/358292/35 "2006-05-26T20:42:21Z")
> [@Sattua](#): > > I am perfectly complacent in my role as the only Doper who gives this answer in these kinds of threads: > > Floss. Well, I’m close. I was going to suggest teeth whitening. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2006, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-i-do-to-avoid-looking-old/358292/36 "2006-05-26T20:52:32Z")
A bunch of folks mentioned exercise. I’ll add the recommendation that you exervise in a relatively low-impact manner. Injuries you incur while young, will revisit you when you get older. I used to do pretty high impact martial arts for some years. Breaking a bone, or other injuries, were no big deal - other than the irritation of being out of commission for a while. My gait today would certainly not be mistaken for a young person’s. ---
**Author:** ![pinkfreud](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pinkfreud/32/17603_2.png) [@pinkfreud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pinkfreud)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2006, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-i-do-to-avoid-looking-old/358292/37 "2006-05-26T20:55:59Z")
I truly believe that a youthful attitude goes a long way toward maintaining a youthful “look.” My mother is often told that she looks younger than her actual age, and I think that this is mainly because she still has so much oomph in her. There are wrinkles and crow’s feet, but they are less noticeable because there’s a sparkle in her eyes. She doesn’t have that beat-down, bored look that some old people have. Keeping your mind and spirit lively (and wearing sunscreen when you go outdoors) may not make you look like a youngster, but it won’t hurt, and it’s cheaper than Botox. ---
**Author:** ![vix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/a88e4f/32.png) [@vix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vix)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2006, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-i-do-to-avoid-looking-old/358292/38 "2006-05-26T21:11:13Z")
> [@Splash](#): > > Keep your hair LONG, for god’s sake. Older people always have shorter and shorter hair. I disagree. I think guys older than college-age with long hair look ridiculous. Check out the Oprah before and after pics posted upthread for proof of how short hair looks way better. ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2006, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-i-do-to-avoid-looking-old/358292/39 "2006-05-26T21:21:54Z")
> [@vix](#): > > I disagree. I think guys older than college-age with long hair look ridiculous. Check out the Oprah before and after pics posted upthread for proof of how short hair looks way better. I partly disagree… I think long hair on older guys looks fine as long as they aren’t going bald. ---
**Author:** ![DianaG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7ab992/32.png) [@DianaG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DianaG)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2006, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-i-do-to-avoid-looking-old/358292/40 "2006-05-26T22:02:56Z")
> [@pinkfreud](#): > > I truly believe that a youthful attitude goes a long way toward maintaining a youthful “look.” My mother is often told that she looks younger than her actual age, and I think that this is mainly because she still has so much oomph in her. There are wrinkles and crow’s feet, but they are less noticeable because there’s a sparkle in her eyes. She doesn’t have that beat-down, bored look that some old people have. > > Keeping your mind and spirit lively (and wearing sunscreen when you go outdoors) may not make you look like a youngster, but it won’t hurt, and it’s cheaper than Botox. I absolutely agree. Take care of yourself, stay healthy, and _be happy_. Gray hair and laugh lines don’t say “old” to me, it’s tired and apathetic that says “old” to me. A face that looks accustomed to frowning says “old” to me. Gray hair and laugh lines just make your face look lived in, and I find that really, \*really \* attractive in a man. I like a man who looks like he’s got some great stories to share. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-i-do-to-avoid-looking-old/358292.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-i-do-to-avoid-looking-old/358292.md?page=3)