I cannot believe all of the photos are of women!!
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Just one guy’s opinion here, but all those eyes looked beautiful to me. No fillers, injections or drugs needed on those eyes from what I see.
But that’s just me...
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Men have these same issues. Why not “help” them solve the problem as well?
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Sunscreen! For women and men. Purchase the Japanese ones which are superior to the American sunscreens. Sad but true.
Retin A has been a proven method for reducing wrinkles and sunspots, melasma but you MUST wear sunscreen when using it.
Secret! No sugar! No smoking! Both will wrinkle you fast er than you can say wrinkle!
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Some may be interested in this information. I found it valuable but not groundbreaking.
Not sure why NYT commenters would read about and then comment on anti-aging products and services and use it as a place to make a statement about their personal values and how they are above this all.
58
Or, you can try to age gracefully.
161
I like me at almost 60. Stop telling me I need to “fix” my aging.
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Plexaderm - tightens the eye area up but still looks natural.
21
I don't look in mirrors much anymore.
It helps.
150
Come on. Age gracefully. It's OK.
107
What are the risks, in detail, please?
43
someone once said: "eventually you're either going to just look old or weird". bc really it's always kind of obvious when you see people who have done these procedures, no?
161
Why not just embrace the age you are and physical attributes you have? Trying to recapture the youthful look one had is a futile exercise in self-deception. Everything changes over time and we should learn to live with it.
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Of course one can just relax and let Mother Nature take her course as one ages.
I want to be accepted for who I am, not my accommodation to what others say I should be.
Really, that's not so bad, is it? - just to accept who and what you are, age according to the way you are programmed.
Saves a lot of anxiety - and cash!
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Has anybody tried derma rolling? I bought one for depigmentation and under eye bags. It is meant to puncture the skin to stimulate collagen. Alas, like everything you have to use it regularly. With my fear of infection (it does poke holes in your skin), it takes ages to sterilize, clean the face properly, etc. The rolling does not take a lot of time - I even do my neck, chest and hands. AND, you have to put heavy duty sunblock after.
If it is done by a dermatologist, really large needles are used and down time is lengthy, not to mention price.
Any thoughts? And yes, aging is a natural process but who wants to look bad. And yes, diet, etc. are important. Nothing new here.
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Recent research indicates that neurotoxins (such as Botox) may have long term negative consequences concerning 'muscle weakness and atrophy far from injection sites' (UofC). I am all for people having the right to choose what they do to their bodies, however a healthy curiosity to see where it will lead 10-20 years from now may be needed. Keep in mind Botox is used in other medical treatments (CP, migraines, etc.) Not everyone who is prescribed or recommended Botox is worried about wrinkles.
Also, I didn't notice any recommendations for men or persons of colour addressed in the article. Would these procedures be a blanket approach to everyone?
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Just for the record, I think it may have been worth throwing in a reminder about the basics here: drink less, smoke less, exercise more, hydrate, consult with a trusted physician or dietician about how the way you eat could be better suited to your individual needs.
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Everyone used to ask me why I was angry all the time. I wasn't, just had wrinkles on my forehead. I've been using Botox for six years now and no one has asked me that since. Botox has been used in children with cerebral palsy since the 1970's so yes, it's safe. Thank you, NYT, for a great article.
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I have all of these problems. The wrinkles and bags don't bother me, they are part of aging that I have accepted. However, I have dark circles under my eyes that bother me a lot. They make me look very tired; that is not a look I relish. Not only does it make be look tired, but it actually makes me feel tired. Might have to look into some of the remedies, and perhaps talking to a dermatologist.
39
I wish she had shown women of color in the article. I don't think its vanity to want the dark circles from my eyes erased. It comes from years of working long hospital shifts and going to bed late. Vitamin E, cucumber and other home remedies have failed. Oh well, I guess I'll concentrate on the more important aspects of life...
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I don't care about dark circles around my eyes, or bags under under my eyes or having droopy lids. I just don't want to go blind. I have glaucoma. Taking care of my eyesight is more important to me than these expensive tricked out methods to look beautiful. Some of these procedures sound dangerous and scary. How about an article dealing with glaucoma, macular degeneration and other causes of blindness NYT, instead of this ad for the beauty business. The health and protection of the eyes is more important today especially with the use of computers.
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Fixing a drooping lid that interferes with vision is one thing. But corrective procedures for the other problems? What a sad commentary on our society. Those bags and crows feet and dark circles -- show signs of wisdom and of a life lived fully.
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I’m nearing 50 and yes, I’m vain about looking younger than my age. I do what I can with a limited budget — no knives or needles. Here are some things that work for me:
Dark circles: Garnier SkinActive roller ball concealer. Very light feel.
Aging skin: SkinMedica retinol complex. Any retinol will help give you a smoother complexion. But beware — do NOT use it on damp skin.
Melasma: I had one chemical peel called a Vi peel and my melasma disappeared. Do this at a proper medical dermatologist, not a random Groupon place.
And don’t waste money on a chemical peel if you’re not willing to follow it up with daily sunscreen use. Chemical sunscreen promotes melasma, so stick with a mineral sunscreen. EltaMD is the best I’ve found.
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@FlipFlop, prescription strength Retin-A is much more effective than over-the-counter retinols. A little more expensive but one tube lasts for many months.
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@FlipFlop
Thanks for sharing, good tips! Agree that sunscreen and protecting your skin - wearing a hat, etc - are the most important factors. I also prefer mineral sunscreens over chemical, but didn't know about the connection between chemical sunscreen and melasma.
I've used a prescription retinol on my face nightly for the past 15 years, and I think it's the main reason my skin looks so good at 59 -- small pores, not much wrinkling, a good glow. I swear by that and Clarins' Super Restorative Tinted Moisturizer, SPF 20 (with titanium dioxide, a mineral sunscreen). Lightweight so it doesn't settle into wrinkles and fine lines, and it imparts a very subtle champagne gold effect on the skin. I've been wearing only this as foundation for 30 years. Best beauty product on the market!
32
The best way to avoid dark circles, bags and droopy lids?
Die young.
Who's on board?
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Made me laugh! Thank you.
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@essgordon I've had dark circles since i was twelve. My mother making me go to bed earlier didn't help, also she never stopped trying.
28
Is there something wrong with aging gracefully? If I put a smile on my face and have a warm demeanor who cares why I no longer look like I am 25.
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I remember reading once that the supermodel Iman said that American women wear makeup too early and take care of their skin too late. Thought that was spot on.
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@Working mom
Yes, due to heavy makeup, many twenty somethings look much older. It’s just a mask of makeup that makes 25 indistinguishable from 45. Those on the younger end of that age spectrum should definitely skip the spackle and focus on skincare and sunscreen instead of trying to cover up every pore.
18
I am getting older all the time and guess what? I love it, yes! I have eye bags and lots of wrinkles, ha! Why to deny my age? I am fit, I trot (not run) 5 miles a day; yes! a do and have done exercises now for more than 40 years and my body responds beautifully, and yes I am thin and eat well and what a luxury I am healthy and I like to be and getting older all the time! Yes, who cares about wrinkles, bags, falling eyebrows and what not! I care about having quality of life at MY AGE! Don't put me into brackets! I was once young, now at my age (over 70) I have to compete or be as I was in my 20s? Sorry, but this article is against aging! What a joke! Is it to cover our finitude? Or is it to feed a lot of for profit business at our expense?
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Shame on you, NYT! This is like an ad for dermatologists, plastic surgeons, and aestheticians. Why not include non-invasive treatments that work. I've been using prescription strength Retin-A for 20 years. It does wonders for wrinkling around the eyes and elsewhere, is safe, and is highly cost-effective. I'm not willing to pay for or undergo pricey, risky procedures in a doctor's office but have found Retin-A to be a great solution.
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Before you tsk tsk, let me tell you what it’s like to have the kind of bags under your eyes that are like old fashioned suitcase luggage. Not fun. You always look exhausted, and if you’re an eyeglass wearer, you won’t even consider contacts. I spent my 20’s through mid to late 40’s being complimented on my beautiful eyes, and their changing color depending on the light or what I wore. While I always had dark circles, now it’s also exaggerated puffy bags that concealer only emphasizes. I live with it. I don’t care about the compliments, I care that looking worn out feels like being worn out. I’d love to do it for myself, but it’s not an option. All these treatments and surgeries take money. But, c’mon, sometimes a person, woman or man,wants to do this just for themselves.
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I'm a little disappointed that this article doesn't have much to say about the usefulness and safety of these treatments in the long run. What does someone who used fractional lasers and Botox look like 8-10 years later? Has their health been affected?
Also, I have a Haltha (?) yoga book of facial exercises that suggests things like pulling eyebrows down with fingertips then doing eyebrow raises (basically strength training for facial muscles). Are there any data that address how much facial exercises help reduce signs of aging, even anecdotally?
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As a 53 year old man that has done several of these things (lasers, Botox etc.) I couldn’t be happier with the results at a reletively low cost. The results are amazing. For those who talk about embracing the signs of aging, there is nothing wrong with that, but for those of use who just care about looking refreshed, less tired, and just fit, these are great options.
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My heavy eyelids are going to stay the way they are unless they interfere with my vision. "Just give me an antihistamine?" Sure, and I'll sleep my life away, even with the non-drowsy ones. Surgery? Like I said, only if it interferes with my vision. Otherwise I am going to wear my signs of aging like the badges of courage they are. I earned every one of them.
45
I’m 58 and in the dating pool again. I had the surgery to fix my droopy eyelids - yes, a luxury - and I look more youthful and a lot less tired, and it does make a difference in my appeal to men. You can say that it shouldn’t matter but we all look for pleasing people to date. I’m also a lot sexier when I can wear eyeliner that shows and doesn’t smear. At some point you get too old to be put to sleep for surgery, and I was told my kids would have encroached on my vision within a few years, so for me it was the right decision.
47
@Just The Facts
Your kids? Or your lids?
28
It's a lot simpler (and cheaper) to just wear glasses. Older folks need them for reading anyway. Instead of constantly putting them on and off if you don't need glasses for distance, just have bifocals made with plain glass on top and reading prescription on the bottom. They will hide all kinds of cosmetic problems around the eyes, and will enhance your appearance.
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@Charley Darwin So that's why more and more "celebrities" are wearing eyeglasses!
9
I have what medical terminology calls "tear trough deformity," which is very little to no fat pads under the eyes. Coupled with my pale complexion, my eyes have always been quite a subject of discussion. From the time I was a teenager, people have habitually asked me if I'm sick, or tired, or if I have liver problems. Several times strangers have stopped me on the street to ask who gave me the black eyes and offer assistance. Even in my baby pictures, I look like a hung-over drunk. My mother also has this condition, as does my son.
I have used Botox and fillers to try to reduce the effect of tear trough deformity, but nothing elimiates it. I would be happy if I could get to the place where my undereye area looks like a lot of people's "before" pictures.
25
@Greek Goddess
I have this problem too. Everyone is constantly commenting that I "look tired." No matter what I do, I can't seem to brighten up the dark circles. It comes from my father's side--Greek, Italian. I just reply "it's genetic." I was going to try botox or fillers but it sounds like this won't help..
15
Same here! I’m in my 30s, but I’ve apparently “looked tired” all my life, every day. Concealer only does so much, and I don’t like wearing makeup anyway. I feel as though if had a dollar for every time my under-eye area elicited commentary, I’d be retired by now.
I try to embrace it, I have other pronounced features and deep-set eyes so I think they make sense on my face. But I know they’ll get darker with age, and the comments will probably come more frequently, too...
12
Yikes! ...people will really do this?! I will be all the happier looking in the mirror at my darkish, droopish circles tomorrow morning. And what about sleep well, eat well, smile, ...and use sun screen?
56
I'm still kicking myself for having read this. Just as I've been inspired to stop dying my hair and "embrace the gray" it seems like I'm seeing more articles in the Times about the horrors of other signs of aging--bags, thin skin, dark circles.
Signs of aging are normal and should not be treated as problems in need of medical intervention. But, I suppose it's easier to tell a woman to fix her face than it is to tell a society to change its attitudes.
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@H.L.
Yes! Embrace the gray!
Once you go gray you will be so excited to show your wisdom. Be regal! You deserve it!
25
yes indeed R. Anderson and thank you Abigail.
Re Botox: In years to come, people will not believe that we used to inject this strong neurotoxin right next to the brain.
Using simple logic, it’s a crazy thing to do.
55
White circles under eyes?
8
@poslug
The Trump look.
23
From the plastic goggles he wears while tanning
22
Let's concentrate on what's behind the eyes, (those "windows of the soul"),not under them.
160
Well. I trust product recommendations in NYT articles more than InStyle. Though there's little evidence to suggest I should. Congratulations. RoC is in my Amazon shopping cart. Though I don't believe beauty care articles belong in the NYT.
Please, put your resources to uncovering all the policy changes happening in the federal government while Trump plays "look at the birdie," drawing the attention away.
74
From the headline I thought just maybe we might get some good advice on healthful living to improve appearance. No, not that. Just more costly procedures for self aggrandizement.
Used to worry about nuclear holocaust and antibiotic resistant annihilation but not anymore; think the cockroaches deserve the planet more than we do.
88
Why are we only looking at pictures of female eyes for this article? Really NYT?
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@LBM That's the first thing I thought too. Way to reinforce harmful societal messages.
22
@LBM
True! I recall when Megyn Kelly ambushed Jane Fonda with questions about her facial surgery while ignoring the extensive surgery that has left Robert Redford (who was sitting next to Jane) unrecognizable.
37
Yes! Way more men need to get insecure about their looks too. It’s lonely out here!
23
Here we go again. Another article outlining just how important it is not not show signs of aging and to resort to surgical intervention if necessary in order to hold on to a youthful appearance. Aging is a beautiful thing and it is time the media started presenting it as such.
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Speaking from the view of an esthetician in the field of treating the skin of an aging population, I would like to see more articles educating women about the many other options for anti-aging and treatment of wrinkles, fine lines and puffy eyes. My job is to educate women on ALL options so they are empowered to make their own decisions about their skincare. I think that articles like this one only show women a one-sided medical view of options vs the wide array of other treatments. Here are a few examples: Puffy eyes are linked to poor lymphatic drainage and a simple eye massage with a caffeinated eye treatment does the trick. Fine lines and wrinkles: hydration is half the battle. Increasing water internally and using highly moisturizing products (especially with hyaluronic acid) soften lines. Today, the esthetician has a wide array of non-invasive tools to dramatically improve the signs of aging - microcurrent, Micro-Puncture, dermal rolling, ultrasonic (iontophoresis), and many more. I work with my clients to first try other non-invasive, non-prescriptive alternatives before sending them for injections. Let's improve the information going out to women so they can make more informed decisions.
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There are cases where none of those things work. Period.
9
@Abigail Zsenai Your comment is more useful than the entire article.
65
Lordy, Lordy we're over forty. Ponce de Leon never found the magical fountain of youth. I can understand procedures which correct true disfigurement but tucking, tweaking and tugging just emphasize people's insecurities. But it's their money and it's good for business.
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