by Ms. K

Created on: August 18, 2009

There are a variety of reasons people seem to care less about their appearance as they age. The phenomenon is not specifically caused by the aging process. One only has to look at Hollywood and even in one's own neighborhood to notice how some take great pains with their appearance well into their senior years. Of course, many of those examples have careers that depend on keeping an attractive appearance while others may simply be more naturally vain. But what is it that causes the rest of the aging population to "sit back and let it happen"?

First of all, as we age, wisdom increases through experience and we find that there are more important issues about which to be concerned than those involving wrinkles, gray hair and expanding waist lines. It may be that for many, matters of the heart, soul and mind take precedence over outward appearance. With all there is to think about and do, why waste precious time trying to look younger when what truly ages a person is mental stagnation? Perhaps some of us sense an importance that goes beyond graying or thinning hair and are able to see past the image in the mirror to the contributing spirit underneath.

Mental maladies affect the aging as much as anyone and depression contributes to a lack of concern over appearance. For some, the realization that they are getting older may be reason enough to let depression take over, though it is more likely that chemical imbalances and hormonal disturbances bring on the blues. When you are sad, you tend to show it.

Finally, it may be our elderly neighbors have health issues that cause them to appear older than their years. The stress of physical ailments has been known to cause people to appear older than they really are and when one is literally sick and tired, one is more likely to think about feeling better more than looking better.

However, if it held true that people stopped caring about their appearance as they aged, the treatment of wrinkles would not be a billion dollar industry, we would see fewer seniors out for daily walks and grandmas would never be spied coming out of hair salons sporting fresh perms.

While it may be generalized that people stop caring about their appearance as they age based on what we see with our eyes, the truth is that the rule does not apply to everyone. Beauty truly IS in the eye of the beholder and there is always more to a person than meets the eye.

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