Gransnet forums

Everyday Ageism

Old lady hands

(79 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?

Sarahr Sun 19-Apr-26 14:05:05

I should be very offended by comments. I have been told I have "old lady hands". I laughed. Been told I have wrinkles around my mouth. I'm afraid laughing has caused those. Apparently, I wear the wrong clothes. Been told I should have my hair cut or coloured as my hairstyle makes me look old. Tough. I am now refusing to have my hair done by any of the hairdressers around here as I am fed up with the bad cuts they are so proud of. The last cut I had was so short I had to wear my hat and scarf indoors! It's growing out, at last, but it's so obvious how badly it was done. Now I am told, yet again, that my hair makes me look old. Goodness, should I take offence? No, it's their opinion and I don't care.

Desdemona Sat 18-Apr-26 20:28:16

I love hands as they age.

They tell stories.

Good moisturiser and nail care, and a few silver rings if you can wear them, with pretty stones.

Allira Sat 18-Apr-26 20:07:08

MayBee70

Jodieb

For those with split nails try a nail hardener. It gives a nice natural sheen.

I put strengthener on the end of my nails so I can moisturise the rest. I think my nails have improved since I started taking VitD. I keep them very short these days.

I take vitamin D, try to remember to take zinc too.
It's odd, one thumb nail and all toe nails are tough so it can't be a particular vitamin or mineral deficiency.

Must stop cleaning 🤔

Esmay Sat 18-Apr-26 19:43:38

We should be proud of our old lady hands !
How many floors and carpets scrubbed , dishes washed ,nappies changed and gardens tended ?
I've just done a couple of hours gardening and my hands look worthy of an Egyptian tomb .
I'll put some uncooked uncooked porridge oats with some lemon juice and oil on them to exfoliate then after washing off -some O'Keefe's working hands .
If I run out -a layer of vaseline overnight .

MayBee70 Sat 18-Apr-26 16:50:25

Jodieb

For those with split nails try a nail hardener. It gives a nice natural sheen.

I put strengthener on the end of my nails so I can moisturise the rest. I think my nails have improved since I started taking VitD. I keep them very short these days.

MayBee70 Sat 18-Apr-26 16:49:02

Allira

MayBee70

Someone came to my partners house one night years ago; he was sat at the other side of the room but said ‘I see you have arthritis in your hands like my mum has’. I hadn’t realised till then that it was so obvious sad.

That was rather rude, though!

He didn’t mean to be cruel.

Jodieb Sat 18-Apr-26 15:42:01

For those with split nails try a nail hardener. It gives a nice natural sheen.

albertina Sat 18-Apr-26 07:40:19

Mine are covered in brown marks and the left one has a sizeable birth mark. I used to worry about the look of them and compared mine to friend's.

My hand are now starting to give me trouble and I sometimes cry out when I pick up something that really isn't that heavy. Going downhill is an uphill struggle isn't it !

DeeAitch56 Sat 18-Apr-26 00:42:49

I’m an old lady. I’ve got hands I’ve got old ladies hands it’s better than being dead.

Gwyllt Fri 17-Apr-26 18:17:17

To all those who are unhappy with visible veins on their hands. Mine sometimes look almost non existent. Like most of my veins When having a blood test the majority have great difficulty finding sn appropriate one

Coolgran65 Fri 17-Apr-26 17:34:59

My hands are still slim and my fingers are still long and slim. Just one finger isn't quite straight with a twist of arthritis. However the backs of my hands are wrinkled and have many purple prominent veins. My treat to myself is a manicure/nails every month. It makes me feel groomed. Making sure I wear gloves for gardening or using Flash etc doing housework. I'm 76 and have no worries about the veins, they are me.
I wish the rest of me had held together just as well.

hollysteers Fri 17-Apr-26 17:01:31

I’m not keen on my ageing papery and wrinkly hands, but reflect on how wonderfully we are made. I paint and draw and others on this thread too have spent years doing all sorts of things (lovely post *labazs).

I turn them palm upwards for photographs and my best friend even wears lace fingerless gloves on a night out😁(like Madonna).

Queen Victoria wore very large rings as she thought they detracted from her old hands and I’ve noticed Joan Collins does the same.
I wrote a poem which started “Once I had a hand, now I have a claw…) I’ll see if I can find the rest of it.

Carenza123 Fri 17-Apr-26 16:48:06

I realise I have prominent veins on the backs of my hands but I don’t care as it reminds me of my dad. He was the same. My mother in law was very concerned about her age spots and tried all sorts of lotions and creams to diminish them but to no avail. It is what it is. As a previous gran said, at least my hands still work, which is a blessing.

Allira Fri 17-Apr-26 16:40:35

MayBee70

Someone came to my partners house one night years ago; he was sat at the other side of the room but said ‘I see you have arthritis in your hands like my mum has’. I hadn’t realised till then that it was so obvious sad.

That was rather rude, though!

Allira Fri 17-Apr-26 16:40:06

MayBee70

Someone came to my partners house one night years ago; he was sat at the other side of the room but said ‘I see you have arthritis in your hands like my mum has’. I hadn’t realised till then that it was so obvious sad.

I have ganglions which have developed on my knuckles. The GP says I'm prone to them (goodness knows why) but they make my fingers look bumpy. The first time I had one was on the back of my hand in my 40s.

Too much knitting, crocheting?

RosiesMawagain Fri 17-Apr-26 16:37:02

They can be a giveaway- if only celebs realised that you can have any amount of "work done" on your face, neck, or eyes but your hands and knees always show those "signs of ageing"

MayBee70 Fri 17-Apr-26 16:24:38

Someone came to my partners house one night years ago; he was sat at the other side of the room but said ‘I see you have arthritis in your hands like my mum has’. I hadn’t realised till then that it was so obvious sad.

DollyRocker Fri 17-Apr-26 13:52:33

I remember I used to draw round the veins in my nans hands as a child & kept asking why she had blue squiggles on them. I can see I'm getting them now !

Iamme Fri 17-Apr-26 13:31:09

This made me smile.

Allira Fri 17-Apr-26 13:26:50

JustkeepswimmingDonna

If anyone is interested I have been quite impressed with this hand cream. I put it on before I go to sleep and my nails are longer and stronger

Yes,I have been bit neglectful of using hand cream lately.
Must remember!

Missedout Fri 17-Apr-26 13:17:26

I was teaching my 10 year old granddaughter to sew. I said to her that it was a shame that she was watching ‘old hands’. She replied “Nanna! I love your hands - you can see everything working!” What a lovely response.
No, I don't really worry about how my hands look - as long as they work OK.

DollyRocker Fri 17-Apr-26 02:43:19

Madonna has old lady hands and wears gloves. With all her money I'm sure if something could be done to rejuvenate them, it would have been done, but they remain like many of ours.

Terric Fri 17-Apr-26 02:39:53

Hands that are exposed to life will develop sun spots. Some will develop veins and some will develop arthritis. People do not care about what your hands look like but you, on the other hand, think they do. What they do care about and remember about you is the smile that you give to them. A warm heart and a kind smile makes people think you are beautiful!

NanKate Thu 16-Apr-26 20:18:41

FGT I think I have the twin to your hand, except I haven’t had a manicure recently.

JustkeepswimmingDonna Thu 16-Apr-26 20:14:46

If anyone is interested I have been quite impressed with this hand cream. I put it on before I go to sleep and my nails are longer and stronger