Aging–Should we Embrace it or Erase it?
This weekend I decided to clean out my closet and do a little “do I really need this” inventory. As I sat surrounded by shoes, who had seen better days, and all the “maybe I’ll fit into these skirts again” piles, I came across a shoebox of old photographs. I began to thumb through them and recall how old I was when they were taken. Ah yes, the summer of 2001. I was 25 and living my best life! Surrounded by friends, laughing without a care in the world, wearing some questionable fashion choices and a cocktail in hand. Despite the now laughable quality of a 2001 photograph (no filters back then), I began to focus on my skin. No pores, not a hint of a fine line in sight, no sun spots or discoloration, collagen intact and tight—I decide that I now hate 25-year-old me. Or do I? If I could look 25 again, would I? If I had a magic wand and could transform my now 46-year-old skin back to 2001, would I actually do it? I thought long and hard as I studied the picture and realized my closet definitely wasn’t getting cleaned today. After a few moments, I realized, no. No, I wouldn’t change it. Sure, there are things about my skin I would like to improve but I want to look like me, now. So, I ask the question–should we embrace aging as the inevitable fate for all our skin or should we do our best to try and erase the imprints it leaves behind? I say we can do both! And here’s how…
Baby Shelley with Baby Skin remember the first time I noticed a fine line. I was applying my favorite gold sparkle eyeshadow and leaned closer into the mirror. WHAT THE??? IS THAT??? I was 31 and had just given birth to my first child 4 months prior. I was tired and dehydrated and worn out AND so was my skin. I come from a long line of women who do NOT want to age gracefully. They wanted to freeze time and stay eternally young. So, of course I panicked. I stocked up on every type of serum, moisturizer, mask and scrub you can imagine. I wasn’t going down without a fight. I had a genetic duty to maintain my skin yet I didn’t really understand why. Why couldn’t or shouldn’t I look older? Aren’t I? Haven’t I not slept well or eaten well or focused on myself lately as a new mom? Isn’t it NORMAL to see my skin change with time and circumstance? This is when I began to subscribe to what I call the embrace but erase mantra to aging. I would celebrate and accept the changes and reality of what was happening to my skin but I would do my best to take care of and slow down the process of aging as well as erase the things I could. So fine lines? Understandable. Deeper lines? Nope, we’re evicting you. Loss of elasticity and firmness? Okay, yes but we can do things to improve that. Sun spots? Sorry. Pack your bags with the deeper lines. Redness? Where did you come from? You aren’t invited to this party but laugh lines–well we can soften you but you’re attached to every great moment of my life, so you can stay. For now.
I remember the first time I noticed a fine line. I was applying my favorite gold sparkle eyeshadow and leaned closer into the mirror. WHAT THE??? IS THAT??? I was 31 and had just given birth to my first child 4 months prior. I was tired and dehydrated and worn out AND so was my skin. I come from a long line of women who do NOT want to age gracefully. They wanted to freeze time and stay eternally young. So, of course I panicked. I stocked up on every type of serum, moisturizer, mask and scrub you can imagine. I wasn’t going down without a fight. I had a genetic duty to maintain my skin yet I didn’t really understand why. Why couldn’t or shouldn’t I look older? Aren’t I? Haven’t I not slept well or eaten well or focused on myself lately as a new mom? Isn’t it NORMAL to see my skin change with time and circumstance? This is when I began to subscribe to what I call the embrace but erase mantra to aging. I would celebrate and accept the changes and reality of what was happening to my skin but I would do my best to take care of and slow down the process of aging as well as erase the things I could. So fine lines? Understandable. Deeper lines? Nope, we’re evicting you. Loss of elasticity and firmness? Okay, yes but we can do things to improve that. Sun spots? Sorry. Pack your bags with the deeper lines. Redness? Where did you come from? You aren’t invited to this party but laugh lines–well we can soften you but you’re attached to every great moment of my life, so you can stay. For now.
I began to realize that beauty isn’t only skin deep. And I know it’s cliche and we’ve heard it before (normally from really beautiful, young people) but it really is true. Our beauty is connected to our wellness. So our spirits, our bodies, our minds and mental health, our very journey has a direct impact on our beauty and how we feel about ourselves. What we fix on the outside doesn’t necessarily fix what’s on the inside. But if we care for ourselves as a whole being and embrace the parts that are uniquely us, beauty becomes about who we are and not necessarily about how we look. And in 2022, we have access to an unprecedented amount of product, technology and skin care innovation to erase the things which do not support our idea of our true self. The key is knowing what those are and how to use them in order to really see the results you desire. Without Face to Face Spa, I wouldn’t be able to navigate this landscape of skin health and aging. 46 year old Shelley is proud of her life experiences so far but some of those experiences have left behind imprints I don’t mind seeing and others I can do without. My spa family not only teaches me about the process of aging but it supports me in my journey with aging, not just my fight against it. Let us help you embrace your skin and erase the moments you can do without!
About the author:
Shelley McGahey is Co-Owner of Face to Face Spa Avery Ranch with her husband, Matt. She is a skincare and make-up enthusiast, mother, wife and lover of all things beauty.