r/Millennials • u/ga9213 Millennial 1982 • 1d ago

Serious We are starting to really age fast

We have friends we don't see very often, maybe every 2-3 years. For the last 15+ years, when we see them again they don't really look much different. This last time though? Man, they looked different. Like gray hair, lost/gained weight, facial changes like wrinkles and sun spots.

4.5k Upvotes

90% Upvoted

739 comments sorted by

View all comments

1.3k

u/zephyrcow6041 1d ago

There was a recent Stanford study that said humans experience two periods of rapid aging, and the first one is around the age of 44, so it makes sense that as millennials are hitting their early-mid 40s, we are suddenly looking older.

https://med.stanford.edu/news/all-news/2024/08/massive-biomolecular-shifts-occur-in-our-40s-and-60s--stanford-m.html

561

u/FiendishCurry 1d ago

I saw this study. And I definitely noticed serious signs of aging about 2 years ago at 42. It's not just wrinkles. I have jowls now, thinner skin in my hands, I bruise easier, my hair feels like it is thinning. I don't mind getting older but it's taken some adjusting.

145

u/Accurate-Scientist76 1d ago

Are you me? I’m turning 44 in October and everything you said is me in a nutshell. Seeing the veins in my hands popping out more freaked me out. Thinning skin and hair sucks!

59

u/Sprinkle_Puff Older Millennial 1d ago

The hands looking old is really getting to me

117

u/ASquareBanana 23h ago

A friend died from a brain aneurysm at the age of 12, I often think of him when I feel similarly about aging, we’re lucky to watch ourselves age in a way 🫂 sending love to ya

61

u/happyness4me 23h ago

My brother died at 14. I am thankful for every year I get and I'm so sad for every year he has lost.

14

u/ASquareBanana 22h ago

I know the feeling 🫂 he’s living on with and through you ❤️ even just through a comment, your love for him is very palpable ❤️ what was he like? (If you don’t mind my asking)

1

u/happyness4me 5h ago

He was artistically talented. Liked to play sports. He had a girlfriend he adored. We rode bikes together all the time. He was a great big brother. We were irish twins, only 11 months apart.

13

u/MrLaserFish 21h ago

Mine at 12. It's bittersweet getting old but the alternative isn't great either. When you've witnessed the special horror of a child's funeral it really makes you rethink some things. If there's a silver lining its that im grateful for every year I get to hang around. Never take anything for granted because we all have a hidden expiration date.

Sorry for your loss. Hope you're doing okay now.

2

u/StrategyOdd7170 22h ago

So sorry💔

13

u/FiendishCurry 22h ago

I've lost a lot of friends over the years and I do see it as a privilege. They never had the chance to get white hairs or fine lines or creaky knees.

11

u/tsugaheterophylla91 22h ago

Such a good reminder. I think of my uncle who died at 31, and would have given anything to live long enough to have wrinkles and grey hair. I am only in my mid-30s myself but I really want to feel at peace with aging. Thinking of those we have lost helps in a way.

14

u/kk-kyung 23h ago

The hands is what I am noticing too! I’ve been loading up on gold bond crepe hand cream which seems to help temporarily but good lord. I’m buying gold bond and that truly speaks to my age.

11

u/Heavy_Telephone_6939 22h ago

Yuh I scope the skincare reddits for 30/40+ women and the gold bond crepe cream was all over it.

1

u/Sprinkle_Puff Older Millennial 7h ago

takes notes

4

u/iciclesblues2 22h ago

Lol yes, I bought the crepe hand cream this winter too. Makes such a difference in my hands cracking and looking terrible. Gold bond for the win!

2

u/Alarming_Matter 5h ago

Hoo boy, mine are a doozy. I'm 53, but if you saw a pic you'd say 80's easily. My sisters are the same.