Worrying about wrinkles is nothing new. In fact, women from a century ago seemed far more worried about the signs of wrinkles than many of us do today.
Rub Those Wrinkles Away
Got wrinkles and yellowed skin? According to one news report published in 1912, all you need to do is rub the aging skin away.
Scientists of the time believed that massage could “reduce and create flesh.” For example, pinching fatty deposits between the fingers was said to break up the fat while gently running the fingertips over the skin caused fat to form.
If a woman needed to get rid of a wrinkle on her forehead, she was advised to put a light layer of cream on her face and then:
“… start operations by attacking that unsightly wrinkle that runs horizontally across your pretty forehead. Kneading across this wrinkle with a light rotary movement of the fingertips and finish by going from one end of the line to the other, pinching the flesh delicately.” [1]
Shoes Too Tight
If you have wrinkles on your forehead, then maybe your shoes are on too tight. According to an article published in 1910, women who wore shoes that were a size too small were causing their foreheads to wrinkle prematurely. [2]
High Heels
In another ridiculous report published in 1913, high heels were the cause of wrinkles and they created a “second heel.”
As stated in the article:
“If the girls and women continue wearing extreme heels, in a short time it will cause the development of a new heel located where the toes ought to be. The changing from the low heel to the extreme high heel will ruin the arch of the foot.
“High heels deform the feet, make the walk of a woman awkward and mar her facial beauty by producing wrinkles.” [3]
Late Social Life
A late night social life causes wrinkles according to an article from 1906. While it is certainly true that lack of sleep may cause wrinkles, this particular article gave the following suggestion to lessen the chances of creases for the socialites:
“One way to prevent wrinkles is to sleep as many hours in the afternoon as you expect to be awake at night after the usual bedtime. This is a rule for those in the social world. Late hours make old faces, unless the precaution suggested is taken.”
Of course, what woman in today’s world has the time to nap in the afternoon? [4]
Plaster Strips
Plaster strips were recommended to women who were just seeing the first signs of wrinkles. An article from 1904 told women:
“To apply the plaster strips take the skin and stretch it between the thumb and forefinger. Now, take a strip of plaster and apply it so as to hold the skin flat.”
The woman was supposed to continue this process until her face was smoothed out. Next, she had to sleep with the plaster strips so that they could work their magic. [5]
