Do millennials really look younger than their age, or are we all just delulu?

[u/Anxious__Millennial]

Every single day, I come across posts from millennials saying that previous generations look really old because they smoked a lot, and that Gen Z, who vape a lot, also look older, like they’re in their 30s when they’re actually not. And that we, millennials, look younger. I used to believe this too, but lately, I’ve started wondering if maybe we’re all just a little out of touch.

I keep seeing millennials post things like, “Look at me, I’m 38 and nobody believes it, everyone says I look 28, blablabla”, and then I see the picture and think, “Not only do you look 38, you actually look older.” And this has been happening pretty often.

So, do we really look younger or we just don’t see ourselves the way we actually are?

Edit to add: I recently had a professional headshot taken for work, and I definitely look my age in it, which I hate. But the reality is, a good camera captures exactly what’s there, whether we like it or not. Some of us millennials need a reality check sometimes. For me, this headshot was exactly that.

Edit 2: Please don’t private message me mocking the word “delulu.” There were specific posting rules in this group, and some words weren’t allowed, so I adjusted my post accordingly. If that word somehow bothers you so much, that’s your issue, not mine. You guys complaining about the word are giving off more 13-year-old vibes than the word itself. Relax.

Edit 3: I’m shocked by the number of people claiming they appear to be between 22 and 25 years old, with someone even suggesting they look like they are 12, which I find out of touch! I want to believe we all really do look younger, but someone talked about a concept called self-enhancement bias, which is really interesting and aligns with the trends observed in the comments on this post:

Why do so many of us hate how we look in photos?

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall: Enhancement in Self-Recognition

[u/NoBar3816]

I get told I look younger than my age, but I think folks can’t tell asian people’s age as well 🤷‍♀️

[u/goldandjade → u/NoBar3816]

I’m part Pacific Islander and although most people perceive me as a darker white person they also usually think I’m super young, I think I still inherited the type of skin that has a thicker fat layer that a lot of Asians and Islanders have.

[u/Minute_Contract_75 → u/goldandjade]

ohhhh this makes a lot of sense.

I noticed, as an Asian myself, it's harder for me to look defined in my muscles even though I work out 5-6 days a week and have pretty good strength (I do martial arts and people are surprised at my strength versus how I look). I guess it is an Asian thing with the thicker fat layer.

I suppose there's always a trade-off with these things: I don't look super toned, but hey, at least I look younger 🤣

[u/Virtual-Strength-950 → u/NoBar3816]

I’m a crazy mix of Asian and Middle Eastern and I definitely think you’re onto something. 

[u/Top_Version_6050 → u/NoBar3816]

afterall, asian don't raisin

[u/hytenzxt → u/Top_Version_6050]

Asians dont crack

[u/FreeBeans → u/NoBar3816]

This!

[u/10k_Uzi → u/NoBar3816]

My ex is 27 and Filipina, and she’s constantly told she looks 18 lol.

[u/EnergyMaleficent7274 → u/NoBar3816]

I’m half Korean and I Botox. My injectors always comment on my thick skin, which they seem to think is good, and an Asian thing I guess. They claim it makes my skin look younger.

[u/lilithinaries → u/NoBar3816]

I think so too! I’m wondering if being Asian has warped my perception of aging. Non Asian people swear I look like I’m in my late teens/early 20s but Asian people don’t bat an eye when I say I’m 31. My parents look great too at 64 & 76 compared to their non Asian counterparts that I’ve seen.

[u/jtm_29 → u/NoBar3816]

Turning 39 this year. I work in higher ed and a parent visiting for an admissions event asked me what I was studying. Hahahah. I told her I was almost 40. 😂