EMBRACING AGEING - NATURALLY

Back in 2013, I was asked if I would like to volunteer for a non-invasive anti-ageing procedure. Some doctors were doing a short training course in this field and needed volunteers to practice on. The idea of looking years younger than my chronological age (I was 65 then) was tempting, especially as it wouldn't cost me a cent.

But I declined. I was nursing a bad cough at the time. That was the excuse I gave, but the real reason was my aversion to anything that is labeled 'anti-ageing', whether it's anti-ageing procedures, supplements or cosmetics.

The only exception for me at the time was getting my hair colored black. It had turned almost all grey within a short span of six months, brought on mainly by the stress of caring for my mom after her hip surgery in March 2011. She was also diagnosed with dementia at the same time. I was her sole caregiver.

I would have happily left my hair that shade of grey had it not been for well-meaning young people offering me their seats on trains, or helping me with my bags. It made me feel frail, old and decrepit when the reality was I probably had more energy than those nice young people.

Anyway, since then I have vowed that once I reached my 70s, that's it. No more coloring my hair black. Maybe shades of brown or blonde! Well, I am 70 now, and have kept my vow.

I mean why go against nature? Physical ageing is inevitable. Some are born blessed with great genes that slow down the ageing process. They look terrific for their age, whatever it is. We have all met such blessed individuals and secretly admire or envy them.

Less is always more when it comes to make-up for older women. Unless we know how to apply make-up to look younger and more natural, we may end up looking like a painted Chinese opera performer! Branded cosmetics are expensive. Some of them are meant to help us look natural. The irony of it! Wearing make-up is addictive too. Once we are used to having our face all made up whenever we go out, or when we have company, we will feel naked to be seen sans make-up.

Confident women don't mind being seen in public without a trace of make-up on their face. They know outer beauty is only skin-deep. It is what's inside that makes them glow - inner strength of character and a positive attitude towards life. A light touch of lipstick should suffice. The best face-lift is a genuine smile. It works. Try it.

Ali MacGraw, 79, and Robert Redford. 82, still looking great despite the silver hair and age lines 

Men are lucky - they don't need make-up to cover the wrinkles or color their hair to pass off as younger than they are. However, a word of advice - if you are balding on top, please don't drag some strands of hair to cover up the shiny pate. It's a huge turn-off for the ladies. Better to go a la Sean Connery, or go completely bald a la Bruce Willis. Some women do find bald men sexy!

Source: Daily Mail

From face lifts to breast implants, tummy tucks and more, older women are resorting to whatever means they can afford to reverse the ageing process. More men are now chasing that elixir of youth too, as evident from the rising demand for anti-ageing products for men in the market.

Alicia Douvall is the world's most surgically enhanced woman. At only 33 (in 2013), she already had 71 operations and 260 cosmetic procedures, with her first one done when she was only 17. At this rate, by the time she turns 50, her entire body would have been re-molded. She readily admits to being an enhancement addict. Surely this can't be considered effectively turning back the clock?

If going under the knife to look good makes you feel confident about yourself, or if you are doing it for functional reasons rather than aesthetic like dental implants, for instance, by all means go for it. Just don't overdo it or you might end up looking really plastic with all that plastic surgery. Make sure you get an experienced doctor. And if you are prepared to spend on costly anti-ageing products, make sure you do the research and find out if the products are genuine and effective.

With the world's population ageing at an alarming rate, the anti-ageing industry can only go from strength to strength in terms of revenue generated. Cosmetic surgeons will likely be the most sought after of all medical professionals, as there will always be men and women who refuse to grow old gracefully.

For the rest of us who prefer to let nature take its course, just remember that growing older isn't all that dreadful if we still enjoy good health, have plenty of good friends and a family that loves us and cares about us. Think of wrinkles as lines that reflect our wealth of life experiences.

Baby boomers all. With my cousin Henry (centre) and Antares after a dip in the river at Kampung Pertak. Staying forever young-at-heart and only slightly older in other places :-) (Photo taken in 2013).

LEARNING TO ACCEPT AGEING GRACEFULLY

Botox jab to remove lines for a more youthful look.

I was recently asked if I would like to volunteer for a non-invasive anti-ageing procedure. Some doctors were doing a short training course in this field and needed volunteers to practice on. The idea of looking years younger than my chronological age was tempting, especially as it wouldn't cost me a cent.

But I declined. I was nursing a bad cough at the time. That was the excuse I gave, but the real reason was my aversion to anything that is labeled 'anti-ageing', whether it's anti-ageing procedures, supplements or cosmetics.

My grey hair then was mainly stress-related.

The only exception for me is getting my hair colored black. It had turned almost all grey within a short span of six months, brought on mainly by the stress of caring for my mom after her hip surgery in March 2011. She was also diagnosed with dementia at the same time. I was her sole caregiver.

I would have happily left my hair that shade of grey had it not been for well-meaning young people offering me their seats on trains, or helping me with my bags. It made me feel frail, tired and decrepit when the reality was I probably had more energy than those nice young people.

Anyway, I have vowed that once I reach my 70s, that's it. No more coloring my hair black. Maybe brown or silver or blonde!

I mean why go against nature? Physical ageing is inevitable, although some are born blessed with great genes that slow down the ageing process. They look terrific for their age, whatever it is. We have all met such blessed individuals and secretly admire or envy them.

Less is more when it comes to make-up. Besides, think of the money you will save. Your skin needs to breathe.

Less is always more when it comes to make-up for older women. Unless you know how to apply make-up to look younger and more natural, you will end up looking like a painted Chinese opera performer. Branded cosmetics are expensive. And wearing make-up is addictive. Once you are used to having your face all made up whenever you go out, or when you have company, you will feel naked to be seen sans make-up.

Confident older women are not afraid to be seen in public with minimal make-up or without make-up.

Confident women don't mind being seen in public without a trace of make-up on their face. They know outer beauty is only skin-deep. It is what's inside that makes them glow - inner strength of character and a positive attitude towards life.

Confident older men are comfortable with their balding patch or with going completely bald

Men are lucky - they don't need make-up to cover the wrinkles or color their hair to pass off as younger than they are. However, a word of advice - if you are balding on top, please don't drag some strands of hair to cover up the shiny pate. It's a huge turn-off for the ladies. Better to go a la Sean Connery, or go completely bald a la Bruce Willis or Yul Brynner. Some women do find bald men sexy!

Source: Daily Mail

From face lifts to breast implants, tummy tucks and more, older women are resorting to whatever means they can afford to reverse the ageing process. More men are now chasing that elixir of youth too, as evident from the rising demand for anti-ageing products for men in the market.

Alicia Douvall is the world's most surgically enhanced woman. At only 33, she already has 71 operations and 260 cosmetic procedures, with her first one done when she was only 17. At this rate, by the time she turns 50, her entire body would have been re-molded. She readily admits to being an enhancement addict. Surely this can't be considered effectively turning back the clock?

If going under the knife to look good makes you feel confident about yourself, or if you are doing it for functional reasons rather than aesthetic like dental implants, for instance, by all means go for it. Just don't over do it or you might end up looking really plastic with all that plastic surgery. Make sure you get an experienced doctor. And if you are prepared to spend on costly anti-ageing products, make sure you do the research and find out if the products are genuine and effective.

With the world's population ageing at an alarming rate, the anti-ageing industry can only go from strength to strength in terms of revenue generated. Cosmetic surgeons will likely be the most sought after of all medical professionals, as there will always be men and women who refuse to grow old gracefully.

For the rest of us who prefer to let nature take its course, just remember that growing older isn't all that dreadful if we still enjoy good health, have plenty of good friends and a family that loves us and cares about us. Think of wrinkles as lines that reflect our wealth of life experiences.

Baby boomers all. With my cousin Henry (centre) and Antares after a dip in the river at Kampung Pertak. Staying forever young-at-heart and only slightly older in other places :-)

50PLUS ACTIVE AGEING CARNIVAL - BIGGER AND BETTER THIS YEAR

The 50plus Active Ageing Carnival is back at Suntec, Singapore, for the second year. Probably the biggest gathering of senior citizens I've ever seen under one roof. Loads of fun activities for the young-at-heart. I only had time to attend the talks today. Well, not too late. There's still one more day to go.

More pictures and updates tomorrow.

Related article:

Tapping the 50+ Market 

FOR SENIORS ONLY EVENTS

October is certainly a month with the focus on seniors. International Day of the Older Persons just went by on 1 Oct. World Sight Day is coming up on 9 Oct and World Menopause Day on 18 Oct.

WORLD SIGHT DAY

In case you are not aware, if you are 50 and above, your eyes are in the risk zone, and you must have annual eye checks to detect visual disorders early. The good news is 75% of eye problems are treatable if attended to without undue delay, says Tun Hussein Eye Hospital director Datuk Dr Veera Ramani.

This year's theme, "Eye on the Future -- Fighting Visual Impairment in Later Life" focuses on the elderly as 80 per cent of the world's 45 million blind people are above 50 years old. The 3-day event at Berjaya Times Square will be launched by Health Minister Datuk Liow Tiong Lai.

WORLD MENOPAUSE DAY

If you think that men escape physical problems associated with ageing while most women have to deal with a myriad of menopausal symptoms, think again. Whether they want to admit it or not, most men do experience andropause. So, guys, this event is for you too.


The Malaysian Menopause Society will be holding an exhibition and talks in conjunction with World Menopause Day. Having attended the event in previous years, I can assure you that it's worth making the effort to check out this year's event on Sunday 19 Oct at The Gardens Hotel, Mid Valley City, KL. Admission is free. And there's high tea too!

Program on Sun 19 Oct

09.00am - Exhibition
12.20pm - Welcome address
12.30pm - "Falls & Fractures" by Dr E. Schacht
01.00pm - "Break the Break" by Dr S. Alsagoff
01.30pm - "Young At Heart" by Dr CM Ho

02.00pm - "Importance of Adherence in Osteoporosis" by Dr KK Iswaran
02.30pm - "Long Lasting Intimacy & Desire"
03.00pm - Entertainment
03.30pm - "Cervical Cancer" - by Dr FO Liew
04.00pm - "HRT in Early Menopause" by Dr HC Ong
04.30pm - High Tea

To register, contact Mr Ngai or Mr Yap at 03-7957 7837.