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Everyday Ageism

Old lady hands

(78 Posts)
Riversidegirl Wed 15-Apr-26 16:44:59

There was a mention in last Saturday's Guardian letter page about not knowing Old Lady's Hands was an insult. I had not seen the original item, but now feel more conspicuous! Mine were brown spotty with years of pram and pushchair pushing, and are now worse with the thinner skin. I have used the Number 7 concealer but it can come off on clothes . Do people really look at your hands?

keepingquiet Wed 15-Apr-26 16:57:34

I have hands and skin that look ten years younger than my real age. I cannot hide my scars or the deformity, or the fact that I can't grip properly and drop things all the time.
Are they an insult? Not to me.

Oreo Wed 15-Apr-26 17:01:33

They used to be called liver spots😬 Mum moans about hers and has a friend also in her 80’s who wears thin suede gloves all the time when out and about, even to eat a meal.
Keep hands well moisturised and nails looking good and forget about worrying.

valdali Wed 15-Apr-26 17:08:35

I have Old Ladys hands, I don't worry.

When I was young I didn't have nice hands, they are worker's hands both genetically and from growing up working in the fields and looking after my pony day in, dayout.

My mum used to wear gloves to go shopping but I just try to keep my nails clean (gardener), & moisturise, & am perfectly happy with them.

valdali Wed 15-Apr-26 17:09:56

There was a point when people used to stare at my hands, because they looked so much older than my face, but there's not so much of a mismatch these days..

M0nica Wed 15-Apr-26 17:13:01

Anyone can think anything they like about my hands, I couldn't give a damn.

crazyH Wed 15-Apr-26 17:13:33

No liver spots but loose skin. I wonder whether they do Botox for hands ?

Kate1949 Wed 15-Apr-26 17:18:41

Lots of prominent veins on mine. Yuk.

Rosie51 Wed 15-Apr-26 17:21:47

My hands are deformed by arthritis. I'm just grateful they still work! Of course I wish they were wrinkle-free and that my nails didn't split and break at will but the days when they're pain free are a blessing.

Grannynannywanny Wed 15-Apr-26 17:28:43

Having caught sight of myself earlier in the bathroom mirror, as I stepped out of the shower, I can safely say my hands are the least of my worries 😆

MayBee70 Wed 15-Apr-26 17:38:02

My hands were my one vanity but old age and arthritis has deformed them. And unfortunately I can't try not to see them. Also my nails that were so strong and long now split and break. It does sadden me.

J52 Wed 15-Apr-26 18:14:01

My hands are spotted and the skin is thin, but fortunately I don’t have arthritis.
However, my feet are in perfect condition and look as they always have, roll on sandal weather. I don’t suppose anyone will notice 😂

Rocketstop2 Wed 15-Apr-26 18:16:09

I guess we are all lucky if they still work, for anyone that doesn't like your hands...Give them the finger grin

Grammaretto Wed 15-Apr-26 18:55:01

I was frightened of my DGGM when I was a child. She wanted to hold our hands. She was 97. I was 7.

Now I see mine and think of her! I'm not 97 yet but the liver spots and wrinkles are developing.
I only hope my DGGC won't be frightened of me if I am lucky enough to meet them.

TwiceAsNice Wed 15-Apr-26 18:59:54

My hands are older looking now ( I’m nearly 73) but I moisturise them every day and don’t worry. I don’t care what other people think.

I have slim legs and small well shaped feet and I don’t think they look like somebody old . Nearly time for sandals thank goodness.

Seabear Wed 15-Apr-26 19:24:03

Rosie51

My hands are deformed by arthritis. I'm just grateful they still work! Of course I wish they were wrinkle-free and that my nails didn't split and break at will but the days when they're pain free are a blessing.

This. I don't bother with nail varnish as don't want to draw attention to them, but any day the knuckles aren't too swollen and they actually work is a good day.

merlotgran Wed 15-Apr-26 19:30:59

I don’t give a second thought to what my hands might look like to others. I keep my nails clean and clipped short because of gardening and regularly use hand cream.
That’s about it really.

NanKate Wed 15-Apr-26 20:14:25

Why don’t you treat yourself to a nice subtle coloured manicure, which would make your hands look cared for.

NotSpaghetti Wed 15-Apr-26 22:04:16

This is the original article in case you are interested.

www.theguardian.com/fashion/2026/apr/09/from-fat-transplants-to-led-mittens-how-the-fear-of-old-lady-hands-mobilised-the-beauty-industry

Gin Wed 15-Apr-26 22:55:55

My poor hands that, in my youth were very elegant, alas are now knotted with arthritis. They are always spotted brown in colour and usually, as today, sporting a plaster as my skin tears like tissue paper. I am afraid years of gardening, DIY and medications has caused the damage. Not much I can do now, they match my wrinkled face, it is a good job I am not vain!

Catterygirl Wed 15-Apr-26 23:21:31

My hands are in good condition. I have loads of age spots which means I’m alive.

Elrel Thu 16-Apr-26 00:56:19

I have had prominent blue veins on the backs of my hands since I was about 40. A child asked why I had ‘worms’ on my hands!

Calendargirl Thu 16-Apr-26 06:56:34

Instead of ‘Old Lady’s Hands’, think of them as ‘Hard Working Hands’.

BlueBelle Thu 16-Apr-26 07:02:05

Like Monica I couldn’t give a flying f , what anyone thinks about my hands in fact I don’t concern myself over them at all they still work and that’s all that I care about.

NotSpaghetti Thu 16-Apr-26 08:40:53

When I was at school I drew quite a few different hands. I found those older hands so much easier and more satisfying to draw as the structure was so prominent.

I don't feel at all negative about "old" hands as they have always been quite beautiful to me.
Surely people bothered about it are missing something here.