to think anti-ageing is offensive?

sneetch how sensible you are. Apart from a good dollop of Nivea, I'm allowing nature to take it's course. Many models in magazines appear to be air-brushed but that doesn't deter thousands of people [some, as you say, in their teens] spending vast sums of money in a vain attempt to follow the trend. The ladies in our village on the remote west coast of Scotland, look their age and, the majority are blest with a huge amount of youthful spirit. I applaud them for being happy to be natural. I call each and every one a true "beauty"

We live in a "youth" culture and, yes, anti-aging is rampant. The best approach, I feel, is to ignore it, or at least to make oneself as advertisement-proof as possible. My toiletries consist of soap, shampoo, deodorant and moisturiser — all of which I've been using since my teens — and nothing else. Seems to have worked fine as most people think I'm younger than I am — not that that was the motivation: the only motivation was a desire for cleanliness (within reason) and comfort.

We're all going to get old, so why fight it - and anyway, I don't fancy the alternative! I don't think I'd want to be looking like a young thing when I'm an old lady. I wash my face with emulsifying ointment and use Diprobase cream on my face! My GP prescribes it to me for dry skin and it moisturises my face very well indeed! (I do wish I could do something about my whiskers, though...!)

It's a difficult one though, isn't it? It is offensive, especially as it's (mostly) aimed at women. What is wrong with growing old? I can't bear seeing all those celebrities who have had so much work done on their faces that they look unreal.

On the other hand, I work in a very young industry, and to maintain my credibility it's important that I don't look 'too' old. So I do worry about my hair going white, or the wrinkles on my face. Which means that I am complicit in the whole thing too.

Why is it that grey hair gives men gravitas and status, whereas it just makes women look old?

Is it offensive? I don't know but I do get very upset when I see the lengths some people go to just to look younger than they are. It's so superficial - surely we should be judged by who we are and what we do? In some societies aging brings status and respect but not here - perhaps that's offensive too...