7 Women Reveal Why They Love Their Wrinkles

"The older I get, the more I need a good magnifying mirror to put my makeup on. But staring me right in the face are those creases and crinkles, those little lines that feather out and the '11,' as I lovingly call the deep indents between my eyes. Every time I look at them, I reflect on a life well lived and that I'm still living. I think about all the adventures I've had and the joys and sorrows I have experienced. I make natural scrubs and skin care, so I obviously love taking care of my skin. However, I will never have surgery or get injections, because I never want to get rid of the wisdoms in those creases."
—Roberta Perry, 54, Bethpage, NY

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"We all have wrinkles. We can choose to hide or get rid of them, or we can choose to embrace them. Here is why I am in love with my wrinkles, and why I invite you to fall in love with yours.

I got my first wrinkle at 19. I was an only child of doting parents; I was protected and taken care of. Our family had attempted to leave communist Russia for 13 years and the government consistently refused. Twice a year we applied for exit visas, and twice a year we were denied. Then, at 19, I was unexpectedly given permission to leave Russia—but on my own, without my parents. Fast forward 3 months, and I found myself on a plane leaving Leningrad. I was feeling desperately alone in the world, terrified, and not knowing if I'd ever see my parents again. That is how I got my first wrinkle. 

At the same time, I learned how strong I really was, that I was capable beyond my own imagination, that I could do anything. I received that lifelong insight out of the most devastating experience of my teenage years. I am definitely keeping that wrinkle."
—Alexandra I. Levin, 48, Long Beach, CA

"I started noticing lines a couple of years ago, around my eyes and lips. I need reading glasses, so I don't see very well close up, but I was in a hotel that had one of those magnifying mirrors. At first it was a bit of a shock, realizing that I was starting to look my age. My daughters later suggested I get Botox for the lines on my forehead, but I won't. It just isn't that important to me. They are part of my facial expressions, and therefore part of me. I like to stay well groomed and hope to age gracefully."
—Sandra Cemulini, 57, New York City and Florence, Italy

"I have had lines across my forehead since I was in the second grade. I have discovered over the years they come and go with my mood. I love my wrinkles because they act as a window to my inner self, how I am really feeling, physically, mentally, and emotionally. So often we put on a facade to the world and ourselves, wanting to show a 'good face' to please other people with the perception of our happiness. But is it the truth?

My wrinkles tell the truth. When I am low, so is my face. When I am overtired, so is my face. When I am ill, so is my face. And when I am happy and at peace, my face glows. In a world where we push ourselves beyond endurance for the approval of others, my face is always truthful. It's a tool I will never be willing to give up."
—Helena Collins, 52, Hopkinton, MA

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"When I first noticed the lines, my reaction was, 'Who is this person? Why haven't I noticed what's been going on?' Then I thought that was very unkind. I would never say that to another person; how could I do that to myself? What I realize now—I couldn't have said this 6 months ago—is that they are an important part of who I am. Just as my arms and legs are a part of me, so are the lines on my face. 

Life is an evolution and things change. I'm a different person than I was 30 years ago or even 5 years ago. To deny or not accept the lines on my face would be to not accept who I've become. Most days, when I look at myself in the mirror, I appreciate who I am and how I've evolved. I wouldn't trade places with anyone."
—Beth Grossman, 59, New York City

"I always had squinting smile lines, but over the years they became more defined. My first realization and self-conscious moment was when I was doing a photo shoot when I was 39, and the 19-year-old makeup artist looked at the hair person and pointed to my wrinkles with shrug, like 'Eeek! How am I going to cover these?' The hair person said 'It's OK; she's a mother.' I felt it is what it is. Now I love my laugh lines. I look at my face and the lines remind me of happy times. I love my smile lines because I love what they symbolize. I'm not numb to life!"
—Cherie Corso, 52, Westchester, NY

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"My wrinkles show I have lived a lot of life—a full and rich life at that. They reveal my joys and sorrows. I am proud of my life and consider my wrinkles my badges of honor, the medals I have earned. Sometimes I feel a bit wistful, because they also remind me of my mortality. But I was kind of in awe and excited by seeing the first signs of aging in my face." 
—Cindy Joseph, 65, Cold Spring, NY