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Aging is a privilege that not everyone gets to experience. So if you live to be 90 years old, the wrinkles on your face should be worn proudly as a badge of honor and a sign that you've got plenty of stories to tell about your younger years. But while we don’t need to be scared of aging, it is a fact that some behaviors and experiences can make us look older faster than others.

Reddit users have recently been discussing things that can instantly age a person, so we’ve gathered some of their thoughts down below. Enjoy scrolling through, as you stay hydrated and remember to apply that handy dandy SPF, and keep reading to find a conversation with Catherine Summers of Not Dressed As Lamb!

#1

“I Went From 21 To 31 In 6 Months”: 45 Things That Inevitably Make People Look Older Grief, nothing ages you like Grief

TheGreatGrappaApe , Ben White Report

#2

“I Went From 21 To 31 In 6 Months”: 45 Things That Inevitably Make People Look Older Stress.

gablamegla , Alexander Dummer Report

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Booker
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

For me, stress caused atrial fibrillation, lack of sleep, and high blood pressure. Since I retired and focused on enjoying myself. my atrial fibrillation has markedly decreased (didn't even know that was possible), I sleep at least 7 hours a night, and my blood pressure has dropped 40 points. Haven't changed meds, just lifestyles.

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To learn more about some of the things that can instantly age a person, we reached out to Digital Content Creator and Blogger at Not Dressed As Lamb, Catherine Summers. "I think the number one thing that instantly ages a person is stress," she told Bored Panda. "Stress is what always accelerates aging in a person in my opinion (think of those pictures they show of American presidents before and after their term in office, the stress shows in their face)!"

"For me personally, it's been the biggest contributor to my 51-year-old body finally starting to feel like it really is 51, not 31 anymore," Catherine continued. "And with regards to the past few years, I don't think many people came out the other side of the pandemic without it having been challenging, tough or problematic for them. Sadly, for many people it was devastating. I was fortunate enough not to have experienced anything traumatic in my life but it was tough for various personal reasons. And for women especially, combine that stress with being perimenopausal/menopausal and it's very hard not to look or feel like you've aged."

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#3

“I Went From 21 To 31 In 6 Months”: 45 Things That Inevitably Make People Look Older War. I went from 21 to 31 in 6 months.

FirstTarget8418 , Somchai Kongkamsri Report

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Randy Sanders
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I went from 18 to 50 in Vietnam. No one should have to do or see what evil war is.

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#4

“I Went From 21 To 31 In 6 Months”: 45 Things That Inevitably Make People Look Older Lack of sleep

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Booker
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1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yep. koyaanisqatsi, life out of balance.

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"Being fit and healthy is the absolute, most important thing you can do to avoid the feeling of getting old," Catherine added. "Aiming to feel fit and strong is the key and is something that I, at least, took for granted until my mid-forties."

But Catherine says that aging itself is not a problem for her. "It's the feeling good that I want to preserve," she explained. "But in practical terms, smoking, bad sleep habits, no exercise and a terrible diet are all major contributors to the aging process. When I get those things in check (though I've never smoked), I feel a thousand times better. Sounds corny I know, but visible ageing in terms of wrinkles or sagging jowls means nothing if a person is truly content and feels good inside. The happiness shows on their face and the 'aging' really doesn't matter."

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#6

“I Went From 21 To 31 In 6 Months”: 45 Things That Inevitably Make People Look Older Back pain.

You can't move like a young person if your back hurts.

AdWonderful5920 , Karolina Grabowska Report

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Mycroft1967
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Just gets better with age. Some common things to look forward to. Arthritis. Hearing or eyesight loss. Heart or kidney problems. Memory problems.

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#7

“I Went From 21 To 31 In 6 Months”: 45 Things That Inevitably Make People Look Older Stress. Grief. Trauma. Mental Illness. Losing a loved one way before their time at a young age (parent/sibling/close friend).

RoronoaZorro , Anna Shvets Report

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Antonia
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

this I can confirm. My younger brother died suddenly last monday... this is so unfair

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"Despite what I just said, it doesn't mean that I don't do anything to address the ageing process!" Catherine noted. "I do dislike the term 'anti-aging' where the beauty industry is concerned, as it suggests that it's a battle to keep aging at bay and something we need to fight all the time. We can't do anything to stop aging completely, but I believe that doing what you can to look the best you can, at whatever age you are, is key."

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"For example, I stopped wearing black many years ago - bright colors are now my go-to," Catherine continued. "I do have a few black pieces in my wardrobe, but wearing black next to my face drains me and just makes me look unhappy and therefore I feel old. Brights are always a mood-booster: it's a lot harder to feel blue if you're wearing orange and pink!"

"I also gave up caring what others think about the way I dress long ago: with all the other stresses of life, worrying about others' opinions of you is not one to bother yourself with," the content creator added. "Do away with that worry and you'll feel ten times better about aging - not giving a [bleep!] about what others think of you is very liberating and I highly recommend it."

#9

Chronic pain

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#10

“I Went From 21 To 31 In 6 Months”: 45 Things That Inevitably Make People Look Older Bad genes - like it or not. Some people smoke and drink their faces off and still look vibrant and healthy. Others eat well and exercise and look tired and lifeless

Maleficent_Heat_6195 , buregina Report

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Richard Ross
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Looking vibrant and healthy but smoking seriously ruins everything inside you.

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#11

“I Went From 21 To 31 In 6 Months”: 45 Things That Inevitably Make People Look Older Working with the general public. Bartender of 21 years and nothing has aged me more than all y’all idiots.

TimToMakeTheDonuts , Foo Visuals Report

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Booker
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1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Teacher: The kids are fantastic, the parents, peers, and administration, not so much. It's both the best and worst thing that ever happened to me.

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Catherine says she's also had a pretty strict skincare routine since she was a teenager, and she's never left makeup on at night. "But something I wish I did sooner was wear moisturiser with SPF all year round," she noted. "This would be my only answer to that 'What advice would you give your younger self?' question. Stop baking yourself in the sun, woman! Looking back on summer holiday photos, I can see how bad the pigmentation was in my face, so I did the worst thing you can do for your skin by sunbathing and not wearing SPF on a daily basis. The pigmentation is a lot better now, but I still have permanent damage in some places. I learned my lesson about the sun causing damage to your face the hard way."

"Other than that, I try to do the best for my skin (and my body) by drinking lots of water, keeping my skin moisturised (dry, dehydrated skin will age faster) and eating veggies," Catherine added. "It sounds boring, it sounds predictable and sounds like it's all been said before... But it's all true unfortunately. Boring but true!"

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#12

“I Went From 21 To 31 In 6 Months”: 45 Things That Inevitably Make People Look Older Smoking

Prestigious_Front384 , cottonbro studio Report

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Booker
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The only one that benefits is the industry. An expensive way to harm yourself.

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#13

“I Went From 21 To 31 In 6 Months”: 45 Things That Inevitably Make People Look Older Fking cancer. Have watched my brother in law age 30 years in a month.

imapassenger1 , Thirdman Report

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Ovata Acronicta
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My grandma looked largely the same for as long as I knew her, til the cancer. She aged with increased rapidity the longer it went on, and the last couple weeks were just...her withering away to nothing. I'm not bothered by anatomy generally, skeletons are cool and all, but I don't want to see a loved one's skeleton draped loosely in thin flesh ever again.

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#14

Making eye contact with their cursed portrait that has been aging in their stead for centuries.

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We were also curious if Catherine believes most of us are too afraid of aging. "I don't know about most people, but for me personally, I'm in two minds about it," she shared. "In an ideal world, yes - I'd still have the face and body I had when I was 35 (or even 40). But that's not going to happen, aging is inevitable, and we should actually be thankful for aging as it means we're living longer (and who doesn't want that)."

"This 'fear' of aging is perpetuated by things like social media filters (they make me uneasy and I never use them), the beauty industry promoting products described as anti-ageing and celebrities erasing away any signs of ageing, and none of that sits right with me," she explained. "I read a statistic somewhere that suggested that about half of all women use a filter on social media, and whether that's to smooth away the signs of aging or perceived imperfections (or both), it's sad that we're not confident enough to show our true selves."

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#15

“I Went From 21 To 31 In 6 Months”: 45 Things That Inevitably Make People Look Older I think something not talked about a lot is mindset. Like if someone views themselves as old and shouldn't do this or that, they're making aging faster for themselves.
Affirmations can help.

Amazing_Top_6530 , Engin Akyurt Report

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Gourdeous
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This. At work I see so many people who have embraced old age and the need to be 'cared for' for relatively minor illnesses and disabilities and they actually bring forward their own demise by not keeping active and fit

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#17

Staying in a relationship or marriage you’re not happy in. It’s soul draining and the instant it’s over, there’s more relief than grieving for the end of it.

StrangerDanger_013 Report

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Oh Gosh
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So true, couldn't agree more. recently ended one of these and didn't shed a tear, but have felt better than I've felt in years. I have tons more energy and smile way more. Even started a new business.

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"However (and without wanting to contradict myself), I also believe that everyone should do what makes them happy," Catherine added. "But cosmetic procedures should be for the right reasons, not for someone else or to look younger because of a fear of aging or due to any kind of pressure from outside sources. Do something because you want to feel better within yourself, not due to a fear of anything."

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#18

“I Went From 21 To 31 In 6 Months”: 45 Things That Inevitably Make People Look Older Too dark of a tan (fake or real).

LucyVialli , M k Report

#19

“I Went From 21 To 31 In 6 Months”: 45 Things That Inevitably Make People Look Older For people over 30, their hair style. I dont know why some people, especially women, develop a hair style and stick with it the rest of their lives.

PatrickMorris , Adam Winger Report

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Rose the Cook
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Probably because it suits them and is easy to maintain without costly visits to the hairdresser that they can't afford.

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#20

“I Went From 21 To 31 In 6 Months”: 45 Things That Inevitably Make People Look Older Being president. Look at Obama's hair in 2008 vs 2016!

falconfetus8 , barackobama Report

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Rachel Grig
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I often wonder how anyone in their right mind would ever want to be president.

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Catherine also says she's positive about the future. "I think that things are changing - albeit slowly - in terms of attitudes towards getting older and aging," she told Bored Panda. "Brands are using older models more, advertising campaigns are using less airbrushing and showing real skin texture, and fewer people think that 40, 50 or 60 is 'old.'"

"I'd like to see the beauty industry to drop the term 'anti-aging' and use 'optimum ageing' or similar - to drop the negative connotations," Catherine added. "I'd like us to say 'older people' instead of 'old man' or 'old lady' - it just sounds a little more respectful, don't you think? There's a long way to go, though, before aging is no longer seen as something to fight, but instead, something to celebrate!"

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If you'd like to hear more wise words from Catherine or get some great fashion, beauty, and body image advice from her, be sure to visit Not Dressed As Lamb or follow her on Instagram!

#21

“I Went From 21 To 31 In 6 Months”: 45 Things That Inevitably Make People Look Older Dehydration. Sun.

beautifulfuckingmess , engin akyurt Report

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Harley
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If the alphabet went ABCDEFG and then PQRSTUVWXYZ you would totally get dehydrated. You would be missing H to O.

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#22

“I Went From 21 To 31 In 6 Months”: 45 Things That Inevitably Make People Look Older Starving yourself to lose weight. I look so much older in photos from my 20s than I do now at 45.

Mollysaurus , i yunmai Report

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ShaZam Beaubien
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My 11th grade teacher told everyone, "fat feels better in bed". I have forgotten a lot of information in high school, but that stuck with me.🤣

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#23

“I Went From 21 To 31 In 6 Months”: 45 Things That Inevitably Make People Look Older Having a spouse that contributes nothing to your relationship and allows your family to slip further and further into debt without caring that you're all only a couple of bills away from bankruptcy.

Xmenenslaver , RDNE Stock project Report

#24

Depression or general unhappiness in life

mageking1217 Report

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#25

Being homeless. It’ll make you mature right fast it will.

vasaryo Report

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Kimbowa
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Good wishes to all who suffer. I always wonder what billionaires do with those extra 57 bedrooms in their 60 bedroom mansions.

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#26

“I Went From 21 To 31 In 6 Months”: 45 Things That Inevitably Make People Look Older Being the victim of a crime, and then having to spend the next two years of your life attending monthly hearings until a court date is decided. Watching the legal system not protect you when he violates restraining orders, gets a DUI and visibly deteriorates, coming to court dirtier and more unkempt each time. Losing friends because they like the offender better and just can't see...

minionofjoy , Sandra Dempsey Report

#27

“I Went From 21 To 31 In 6 Months”: 45 Things That Inevitably Make People Look Older The way you dress 

mint_lemxn , Burst Report

#28

The loss of a loved one.

St_Killian Report

#29

(Multiple) tooth loss

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ShaZam Beaubien
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have lost many teeth and I am so self conscious. I don't have the money to repair it and I have to make sure I don't smile too big. I used to love to smile and I miss it.

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#30

CHILDREN. My boobs have aged 20 years.

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Kimbowa
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Children do age you but I wouldn’t change the last 27 years of my life for anything.

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#31

“I Went From 21 To 31 In 6 Months”: 45 Things That Inevitably Make People Look Older I just did 4 years in prison and that was f*****g stressful. I feel like I’ve aged a lot

andrewleecra , Matthew Ansley Report

#32

hair loss. Not me personally but I used to work with a guy who I swore was like 35, and he was 19.



Poor kid.

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Nikki Sevven
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Shave it and grow a majestic beard. Bald men are sexy; balding men are not. I have no idea why this is, but I stand by it.

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#33

Stress, grief, childhood trauma. It can also ruin your life and life of the people around you.

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#34

Weight loss sometimes adds way more wrinkles.

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Ovata Acronicta
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Particularly if a person is "puffy" - my dad after he quit alcohol and dropped 60lbs. He's looking a bit better now honestly, but that significant weight loss coupled with the swelling reduction had him very wrinkly for a bit. He's not very old so his skin reverted a fair bit and he stays hydrated.

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#35

For men, a moustache. If you look back at the 1980s, you have 25-30 year old men look like they're in their 40s, and the same is happening again, now.

Women - too much makeup

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Vermonta
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

some men did. Back in the day the Fu Manchu mustache was wicked popular. I've gotten used to seeing beards the past few years. Most women cut back on cosmetics during covid and never went back. But the ads for doing eyebrows are insane

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#36

I have been through war and i also lost my sister to a car accident, fair to say im 39 but i look 60.

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Summer D Branch
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1 year ago

This comment has been deleted.

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#38

Kids. Kids instantly age people. I have proof of it. I had kids before my twin sister did. I looked 10 years older than her. Then she had kids and we evened out.

And yet the compelling narrative in the US is that SAHMs do nothing all day 🙄🙄🙄 yeah if that s**t ages you by 10 years, there’s definitely a lot of work and stress there.

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#41

“I Went From 21 To 31 In 6 Months”: 45 Things That Inevitably Make People Look Older Troubleshooting printer problems. I swear these devilish machines only exist to trigger me to smithereens.

Philitt , Andrea Piacquadio Report

#42

Putting two spaces after a period

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#43

“I Went From 21 To 31 In 6 Months”: 45 Things That Inevitably Make People Look Older Finding out a band you listened to when they first came out is getting inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

mtg-Moonkeeper , Lance Anderson Report

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Scotira
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1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

🤣🤣🤣 🙈 this hits close to home. My husband and I were at a Manowar concert last month and he asks me : "What's up with Joey deMaio, he moves like my Grandpa used to?" My answer was: "Schatzi, I hate to tell you, but WE ARE OLD! And he's old as well. He gets to move like a grandpa, he is 69 years old. And I'm sure with 69 we couldn't do what he does on stage." 😅🙈 yes, we are old...

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#44

Platinum blonde hair. I swear it enhances every single line you have in your face even if you're younger.

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Snorkeldorf
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

On the flip side, when you allow yourself to go grey it can be a delightful change! I used to have very dark, brown hair. I love being silver now. It suits me and looks great.

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#45

Buccal fat removal

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Oh Gosh
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Horrible trend. All these famous people having this done look skeletal to me. 💀

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Note: this post originally had 69 images. It’s been shortened to the top 45 images based on user votes.

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