Glasses can have a noticeable impact on a person’s perceived age. While some styles of eyewear can add a sense of maturity and sophistication, others have the potential to make the wearer appear younger. The effect glasses have on age depends on a variety of factors including the type of frames chosen and the condition of the skin around the eyes that the glasses showcase. Overall, it’s hard to make definitive statements about glasses universally aging or de-aging a person, but with the right pair, there is certainly potential to take a few years off.
How Glasses Can Make You Look Older
There are a few key ways glasses have the potential to add years to your face:
- Heavy, dark frames – Large, thick frames in dark colors can have an aging effect by overpowering delicate facial features. The weight of the frames draws attention downward, accentuating sagging around the eyes.
- Low bridge styles – Glasses that sit low on the nose can cast shadows under the eyes, emphasizing under eye bags and wrinkles.
- Minimal frames – Frameless or wire rimmed styles do little to obscure wrinkles and age spots around the eyes, drawing more focus to these aging signs.
- Oversized lenses – Lenses that extend to the widest points of the face make the eyes look droopy and exaggerated.
- Downturned shapes – Angled, downturned glasses have a weary look that implying the wearer is tired or sad.
In addition to frame shape, the condition of the skin that the glasses sit on also impacts their effect on age. Glasses draw attention to wrinkles, dark circles, and age spots around the eyes, so the more evident these aging signs are, the older glasses have the potential to make you look.
How Glasses Can Make You Look Younger
Just as some styles make people appear mature beyond their years, other smart frame choices take years off a look:
- Rounded frames – Circular or oval shapes open up the eyes for a youthful look.
- Thin wire frames – Minimal metal frames barely obscure the eyes, allowing a fresh-faced look to shine through.
- Translucent frames – Sheer, light colors diffuse attention rather than accentuating wrinkles.
- Bright colors – Vibrant, fun colors give off a playful vibe.
- Cat eye shapes – Angled upturned shapes lift the face.
- High bridge – Frames that sit high on the nose bridge de-emphasize undereye issues.
The skincare regimen used around the eyes also plays a role. Well-hydrated skin free of dark circles, puffiness, and wrinkles provides an optimal base for glasses to shine a youthful light. A good concealer can also help minimize aging signs glasses sit on top of.
Face Shape Considerations
The effect glasses have on aging also relates to how harmonious they look with the underlying face shape:
- Oval faces – Tend to look best in oval, rectangular, and gently curved cat eye glasses. Overly large or small frames and harsh angles risk looking mismatched.
- Round faces – Angular narrow rectangle frames help counterbalance roundness. Cateye shapes and dark colors are also flattering.
- Square faces – Rounded styles soften strong jawlines. Translucent wire rims also diminish hard edges.
- Heart shaped faces – Cat eyes complement and accentuate the wide forehead and pointed chin. Oval frames also work well.
- Diamond faces – Oversized square or rectangle frames flatter sharp cheekbones. Rounded edges are best avoided.
Finding the most complementary frame silhouette for your face shape goes a long way in choosing glasses that enhance your features and take years off your look.
Lens Options That De-Age
Along with frame shape, the type of lenses chosen also impact the aging effects of glasses:
- Clear lenses – Allow eyes to shine through without distortion for a bright eyed look.
- Light tints – Subtle gradients of color softly enhance without aging eyes.
- Smaller lenses – Petite lens sizes avoid magnification and opened up eyes.
- Higher index – Thinner, lighter materials reduce distortion.
- Anti-reflective coating – Minimizes glare that washes out the face.
Dark, thick lenses should be avoided as they tend to close in eyes and exaggerate wrinkles. Keeping lenses ultra clear, thin and sized down preserves a youthful look.
Do Glasses Protect Skin and Slow Aging?
Beyond just appearance, some research indicates glasses may actively slow signs of aging by protecting delicate skin around the eyes from sun damage:
- UV exposure speeds collagen breakdown, leading to wrinkles.
- Squinting in bright sun can deepen crow’s feet over time.
- Sun reflecting off snow doubles UV exposure in winter.
- Water, sand and concrete reflect UV adding exposure.
Properly coated prescription lenses filter out 100% of UVA/UVB rays to guard against premature aging. Pairing glasses with a wide brim hat adds additional protection. Oversized sunglass styles provide optimal coverage for sensitive undereye skin.
Do Glasses Work Better for Men or Women?
Well-chosen glasses can help minimize signs of aging for both men and women. However, glasses may be slightly more flattering for mature women versus men:
- Frames add structure to soften facial lines in women.
- Large lenses can diminish wrinkles in women.
- Dedicated skincare regimens keep women’s eye areas healthier looking.
- Women more actively utilize cosmetics for concealing aging signs.
- Testosterone thickens men’s skin, making wrinkles more evident.
- Male faces tend to have more shadows and contrasts that glasses accentuate.
Still, men also have many flattering frame options like rectangular shapes, neutral colors, and minimalist metal styles. The key for men is choosing wisely to complement natural face shapes.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, there are too many variables to definitively claim glasses universally add or subtract years from a look. The aging or de-aging effects really come down to choosing styles tailored for your face shape, skin condition, and lifestyle needs. With smart frame and lens selections, glasses certainly can help gracefully minimize signs of maturity. But like anything, glasses can also emphasize aging when poorly matched to the wearer. Seeking advice from eyewear experts when selecting new frames is always wise. There are fantastic options available to look your face’s youngest while seeing clearly and protecting sight.