​5 things nobody tells you about ageing!

The beauty icon that is Marilyn Monroe once said “I want to grow old without facelifts... I want to have the courage to be loyal to the face I've made” – and wouldn’t we all? However the process of ageing is unavoidable and for many of us the challenge of ageing gracefully and retaining a youthful radiance can prove problematic. Are we happy to trade a few fine lines and wrinkles and a dusting of dark spots for the promise of becoming wiser? Are we content to swap a few grey hairs for the ability to consume a full bottle of wine rather than a couple of glasses? No, I thought not (well maybe the wine, if it’s a good merlot)! As we get older each birthday brings with it a brand new beauty issue that you’d probably never even thought about. Well ladies lucky for you, the girls at Beautyfeatures.ie have heard just about all of them and here's a few trade secrets for you all!

#1 Ridged nails

Did you know that as we age, our nails form ridges? Personally I obsess over nail polish, whether my Mani and Pedi complement each other, is my hue of choice on season - so my French manicured talons were displeased to hear that the ridges form rough vertical lines which can make your nails uneven and mess up the meticulous Mani. Ridges are as a result of areas of the nail beginning to weaken and waste away, they are sort of like the “wrinkles” on the nails.

Fix it:

Try using Clarins Hand & Nail Treatment Cream that preserves the youthfulness of your hands but also importantly works to strengthen the nail.

#2 Dark spots on hands

Have you heard of the term “age spots” before? Most women have and unfortunately this is no beauty ageing myth, age spots equal’s dark spots and become quite common as we age. Presenting as flat black, brown or perhaps grey spots or flecks that can make themselves at home anywhere on the body, but are most prevalent on the face, neck and hands. These little reminders of age are caused by UV exposure and an increase in melanin production.

Fix it:

Why not prevent age spots by using a sunscreen every day, ensuring a full coverage on the backs of your hands. Try using a hand cream enriched with a SPF

#3 Sagging neck

Sandra Bullock was brilliant in the film Gravity, but unfortunately for the rest of us Gravity is not our friend when it comes to getting older. Everything starts to loosen; the skin once tight and firm starts to head south. On the face, arms and stomach and perhaps the most noticeable and self esteem zapping- the neck. Due to the location of the skin and the severity of potential sagging, the neck tends to show our age quicker than anywhere else.

Fix it:

Many of us are diligent about applying our serums and moisturisers but often fail to pay the same attention to our neck. Prevention is the key, so make this area an important part of your beauty routine NOW! If you’ve already started to notice some sagging, try Dermalogica Dynamic Skin Recovery SPF50 for mature and prematurely ageing skin.

#4 Thinning hair

We know the stats, 1 in 3 women will experience hair loss and volume and this is more prevalent as we get older. It’s not only the hair on our heads but also the eyebrows may be losing their bushiness also. Thinning hair due to age is as a result of a decrease in oestrogen, cellular reproduction and blood flow, all of which are a natural part of the ageing process. Read our blog Hair Loss in Women the Balding Truth for further information.

Fix it:

Try using hair thickening products like the Viviscal hair loss and hair care prevention programme. Featuring Viviscal Shampoo and Viviscal Conditioner and the highly effective nutritional supplement that supports hair growth and strength from within - Viviscal Max Strength Supplements.

#5 Chin whiskers

Ok, so we understand that our hair may thin and lose volume but it’s getting unfair when we start to sprout random hairs in areas such as the upper lip and chin. Yay for us! The fall in oestrogen produces a rise in testosterone (the male hormone – see where this is going?) which runs amok causing hair to grow in similar places to males. The upside we can finally participate in Movember!

Fix it:

Step away from the razors ladies, for they are not your friend! You can pluck to perfection with a sturdy pair of tweezers like the legendary Tweezerman range of tweezers with a choice of Slant Tweezer, Wide Grip Tweezer and Ingrown Hair Tweezer all designed to pluck with precision.

Did you know about all of these ageing beauty issues? What are your top tips for tackling them?