I
Ihatemyface
Iron
- Joined
- Nov 15, 2021
- Posts
- 166
- Reputation
- 155
I recently turned 26, and I’m feeling extremely old. I don’t really look old (I've been consistent with sunscreen since I was 18 and haven’t had a sunburn since then), but I feel older because I’m no longer in that 18-25 age range. I’ve found that ChatGPT is great at guessing ages, and it consistently guesses mine to be between 19-24, with 23 being the average.
Here’s what I’ve done so far:
- I sleep 8-9 hours per night.
- I use sunscreen daily.
- I use 0.1% tretinoin four times a week.
- I haven’t consumed any drink with added sugar since 2014.
- I don’t follow a carnivore diet (the misery that diet would bring would age any sane person more—I only lasted two weeks on it), but I do enjoy eating meat and do so most days.
- I actively avoided all drugs and alcohol until I was 23 (big mistake), I started drinking most weekends at that age. This ruined my skin more than anything else, and my last drink was when I was 25. If I can live the rest of my life without drinking, it will only be two small years when I went off the rails, and things are already improving.
- I don’t lift or do resistance exercises because when I did (at 23), the natural testosterone I produced made my cystic acne flare up and made me look much older—I actually think is a huge aging factor and anyone over 25 that works out loads runs a big risk of looking 40.
- I’ve managed to keep my hair, which helps.
- I use red and blue light therapy for acne and skin inflammation.
- I have stayed the same healthy weight since 18 (BMI of 18.5), by just not over eating and not through exercising (which again I think ages people… runners face etc).
- I am currently low sugar, gluten free and cows dairy free for my acne
What I think is holding me back:
- Consistent stress - I’ve been stressed for the past three years, which I know is terrible and is probably aging me significantly.
- Depression - I don’t make a lot of money, and while I’d love a life of luxury, it will probably never happen. Living in one of the worst-rated towns/cities in the UK is incredibly depressing.
- Acne - I’ve had cystic acne since I was 13, and it’s been damaging my collagen. It just won’t go away. I have a dermatologist appointment next month, and Accutane might be the next step, but I’m worried it could age me further and possibly cause autoimmune problems.
I’ve started to notice very fine lines on my forehead and am considering light Botox, as well as treatments around my eyes. I’m also thinking of trying polynucleotides for my acne scars.
What else can I do to combat aging? I honestly think that once you’re over 25, or maybe over 30, the bones and ratios don’t matter as much as how haggard you look. Each passing year just wears the human body down, and I need to slow this process. Also, I’m doing this for my own benefit, not to impress anyone else. I’m not sure if it’s an OCD thing, but I need your help.
Here’s what I’ve done so far:
- I sleep 8-9 hours per night.
- I use sunscreen daily.
- I use 0.1% tretinoin four times a week.
- I haven’t consumed any drink with added sugar since 2014.
- I don’t follow a carnivore diet (the misery that diet would bring would age any sane person more—I only lasted two weeks on it), but I do enjoy eating meat and do so most days.
- I actively avoided all drugs and alcohol until I was 23 (big mistake), I started drinking most weekends at that age. This ruined my skin more than anything else, and my last drink was when I was 25. If I can live the rest of my life without drinking, it will only be two small years when I went off the rails, and things are already improving.
- I don’t lift or do resistance exercises because when I did (at 23), the natural testosterone I produced made my cystic acne flare up and made me look much older—I actually think is a huge aging factor and anyone over 25 that works out loads runs a big risk of looking 40.
- I’ve managed to keep my hair, which helps.
- I use red and blue light therapy for acne and skin inflammation.
- I have stayed the same healthy weight since 18 (BMI of 18.5), by just not over eating and not through exercising (which again I think ages people… runners face etc).
- I am currently low sugar, gluten free and cows dairy free for my acne
What I think is holding me back:
- Consistent stress - I’ve been stressed for the past three years, which I know is terrible and is probably aging me significantly.
- Depression - I don’t make a lot of money, and while I’d love a life of luxury, it will probably never happen. Living in one of the worst-rated towns/cities in the UK is incredibly depressing.
- Acne - I’ve had cystic acne since I was 13, and it’s been damaging my collagen. It just won’t go away. I have a dermatologist appointment next month, and Accutane might be the next step, but I’m worried it could age me further and possibly cause autoimmune problems.
I’ve started to notice very fine lines on my forehead and am considering light Botox, as well as treatments around my eyes. I’m also thinking of trying polynucleotides for my acne scars.
What else can I do to combat aging? I honestly think that once you’re over 25, or maybe over 30, the bones and ratios don’t matter as much as how haggard you look. Each passing year just wears the human body down, and I need to slow this process. Also, I’m doing this for my own benefit, not to impress anyone else. I’m not sure if it’s an OCD thing, but I need your help.
