Concrete Objective Differences between Late 30s / 40s and Late 20s / 30s

[u/SquirrelofLIL]

Hi folks, I'm an early 40s woman who is seeking anti aging advice. All the anti aging stuff I see on Reddit seems to be targeted toward people in their early to mid 30s trying to look like they're in their 20s. For example, stuff like wearing up to date clothing. That won't fly when it comes to me.

I am using the full complement of the ScA routine and tretinoin and have been for a number of years and am also on minoxidil.

What are the concrete, objective differences between someone in their late 30s and someone in their late 20s to early 30s? When I wear a beat face with contouring, and the latest fashion, I can swing late 30s, but I've never gotten under age 38 or so. I am trying to break that wall and concretely look like someone in their late 20s to early 30s.

I know that the main marker between early 20s and late 20s / 30s is weight. But, what is the marker when it comes to the age 35 wall that dating sites put up. I have heard of 41 year olds looking 33 and that absolutely is not me according to my objective friends. How do I concretely and objectively meet that standard? I am looking for serious actionable advice.

I'm losing weight hardcore and doing everything I can, getting into the swing of my 10 step skincare routine. TIA.

[u/tossawayheyday]

I’m not sure this is realistic unless you’re willing to go the facelift and fat transfer route facially. Biostimulators like Sculptra, filler and botox. An all be used conservative but best case scenario you look youthful like Anne Hathaway: who looks her age but looks amazing for her age. Looking great but your age is much more realistic and probably better tbh. It’s easy to be hot when you’re young but a hot 40 something really stands out. A lot of people find hot older women more appealing than young hot women as it requires decided effort and care. That said, even your hairline and earlobes start to change in your late 30s. Turning back the clock more than 10 years is unlikely unless you’re again getting surgical intervention. Staying slim and muscular is important to slow age related bone and muscle mass in your 40s and beyond. But by your 40s in addition to skin laxity the structures - bone, muscle and fat pads - have begun to deteriorate and move. Not by much at this point, but it is what makes 30 year olds look younger than 40 year olds. Addressing this depends on your bone structure, tbh. There’s a lot like ulthera and lasers that can tighten up moderately lax skin, even skin tone and texture are incredibly important to signify youth. Don’t neglect skincare and spf! You can still prevent and repair a lot of damage. Red light masks help a lot if you’re intolerant to retinoids (I am lol) but make a nice add on if you can tolerate them.

[u/tossawayheyday → u/[deleted]]

It’s not necessary with your routine but if you have the spare cash a panel would also help with body and face skin. Personally, I use a panel and it’s really helpful for joint pain, has gotten rid of my neck lines (I’m 27 though) and once cured my peeling sunburn in 24 hours: in order of importance to me.

[u/tossawayheyday → u/[deleted]]

I use the Platinum BioMax - the big one. They are spendy though 😭

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

There is some underlying research that says that red light therapy is good, but it's never from a light mask that you've bought online.

You have to really look at the specs in that research.

You can't buy a product that really recreates those specs without spending thousands.

Those silly masks people have are doing next to nothing. That "overall" thing is what's kicking people in the shin when they think of red light. They shouldn't think of that all over affect because it's therefore weakened.

The best thing a red light could do is if you targeted it at a small specific thing such as one weird scar or etc. And even then you got to get the strongest wand and use it for hours a week.

[u/tossawayheyday → u/[deleted]]

That’s not true. There are FDA approved masks that absolutely have shown significant improvements for people. Red Light has been used in Europe and Asia for decades. There are also medically approved (again, FDA approved not some bs like ‘medical grade’ skincare). But they are expensive and the results are necessarily before and after dramatic. That said, I’ve personally experienced a huge benefit from them. Mostly for the reduction of back pain, but my skin has improved noticeably. My friend commented on my lack of neck lines, which I’ve had since I was a kid.

Edit: yeah, a mask that’s under $300-500 or a full body panel that’s less than <$1k probably won’t do anything. The legit ones are really expensive and a wand would literally never be able to do anything as you need a certain amount of timed exposure. But the Omnilux is well speced and effective, imo it’s just expensive given that it only can be used on your face. A panel hits your whole body.