How can I make myself look younger?

[loinburger]

I've always looked older than I really am, but it's never really bothered me -- it's always been more advantageous than disadvantageous (e.g. I was less likely to get my ID checked when making underage beer/tobacco purchases), at least up until now.

The thing is, tonight I went out with a girl I'd met in one of my classes (dinner and a movie, no big deal), and everything went well -- the movie was good, she laughed at my jokes, yada yada. But, when I was driving her home after the movie, she said to me (more or less out of the blue) "How old are you, by the way? If you don't mind my asking..." I knew what was coming, but I managed to suppress my groan. And, since I'm a glutton for punishment, I replied "Nah, I don't mind you asking, but you've got to guess first."

She guessed that I was twenty-nine.

And it occurred to me that it no longer behooves me to look seven years older than my real age, if for no other reason than that it makes it more difficult for me to meet women my own age (who, I assume, would be reticent to date a guy who is seven-odd years their senior, or who would be disappointed to learn my real age if they are after an older man).

So, how do I make myself look younger? It shouldn't be that difficult -- I'm a 22-year-old who wants to look like a 22-year-old, not a 50-year-old who wants to look 29, so it's not as though I've got to bust out the liposuction and wrinkle cream and all that jazz. I've considered regrowing my afro (since I've yet to meet a thirtysomething caucasian sporting an afro) or wearing more loud hawaiian shirts, but I don't want to invest the time/money in an afro/new shirts only to discover the technique(s) don't work (or have the opposite effect). Any suggestions?

[Asher]

Always shave...umm...I don't know what else.

I'm usually told I look younger than I really am.

[monkspider]

Being cleanly shaven helps. I have had the advantage of always looking a few years younger than I actually am (I'm 21). And I was even carded for buying an R rated movie the other day, that made me feel good.
Sorry to share my gloating Loin-B, but i say a cleanly shaven face, somewhat slim (or at least not significantly overweight), youthful looking clothes, and perhaps the afro may help as well.

[KrazyHorse]

If we could swap genes then that'd be a solution. I'm constantly told I look 17, at the age of 23.

[KrazyHorse]

Have we ever seen a picture of you, BTW?

[Boris Godunov]

Clean-shaven is a must, yes.

Find a "young" haircut. Haircuts can make a lot of difference.

Dress young.

Uh...that's really it. You can't do much about your appearance without surgical alteration. I'd recommend frequent exercise, though, as that seems to keep people looking young.

[Edan]

Stand next to a lot of really old people, and look young by comparison?

[Asher]

Originally posted by Frogger
If we could swap genes then that'd be a solution. I'm constantly told I look 17, at the age of 23.

I was IDed for the 2nd LOTR film.
I assumed he was joking, but he wasn't.

Maybe he was just an ass.

[Boris Godunov]

BTW, I'm 26 and still get carded regularly.

[Ted Striker]

Good tips, also make sure you are getting 8 hours of sleep a night, and also make sure you are getting exercise. Don't drink too much cola.

Do the opposite of all these things and before too long you will look like a Linux geek.

[monkspider]

Not getting enough sleep makes you age?

[Ted Striker]

It's like the #1 thing that will make you age.

[Asher]

Bags under the eyes can do that.

[Nubclear]

Give the woman booze. You'll look 22.

[Boris Godunov]

Sleep loss can also make you fat. They've linked lack of sleep to obesity. Of course, they've linked reading Dickens to obesity at some point, I'm sure.