From Full Head to Bigger Nose – Aging Explained

by Darrell Griffin, President, PureAudacity

Hey there, fellow golden-year adventurers. As I hit 74, I’ve started noticing a few things in the mirror that make me pause mid-shave and chuckle (or groan). The body we’ve relied on for decades suddenly decides to rewrite the rules. It’s not all bad—wisdom, grandkids, and no more alarm clocks have their perks—but some changes feel downright mysterious.

Today, I’m tackling the questions that have been bugging me lately, backed by solid science. Consider this your friendly, no-BS guide to staying bold while your body does its own thing.

One of the first things I noticed is that my nose seems to be getting bigger and rounder. It’s not that the nose is actually growing like a teenager’s feet. The real culprit is gravity combined with weakening cartilage and skin that has lost its elasticity. As we age, collagen and elastin break down, and the cartilage supporting the nose becomes softer. The tip droops and the sides sag outward, creating a longer, wider appearance. Enlarged oil glands at the tip can add to the rounder look. A little sunscreen and hydration earlier in life can slow it down, but at this stage I’ve simply accepted my new “character” nose. It’s earned every bit of its personality.

Then there’s the hair situation. Classic male-pattern baldness and the sudden explosion of hair in my nostrils and ears are both driven by the same hormone: dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a byproduct of testosterone. On the scalp, DHT gradually shrinks hair follicles until they produce thinner hairs or stop altogether. In the nose and ears, however, those same androgens do the opposite—they stimulate fine hairs to grow thicker, darker, and longer. It’s nature’s hilarious redistribution program. I’ve learned to keep a good nose-hair trimmer handy and remind myself that a shiny bald head simply reflects more wisdom.

I’ve also been getting noticeably shorter. Most of us start losing height around age 40, and it accelerates after 60. The main reason is that the gel-filled discs between our vertebrae lose water and elasticity, flattening over time. Vertebrae can compress slightly, and weaker back muscles contribute to a forward hunch. Men typically lose about one to two inches by their seventies. I’ve started doing daily back stretches and weight-bearing exercises, along with making sure I get enough calcium and vitamin D. It feels good to fight gravity one inch at a time.

And let’s talk about the expanding waistline that keeps forcing me to buy bigger belts. This isn’t just about eating the same and moving less. As we age, metabolism slows because we lose muscle mass (a condition called sarcopenia). Fat tends to redistribute from the arms and legs to the belly area. Lower testosterone levels and changes in how our bodies store fat make the midsection expand even if the scale doesn’t move much. Our pelvic bones even widen slightly over the decades. These days I’ve traded my old leather belt for one with a few extra holes and a commitment to strength training twice a week and eating more protein.

These aren’t the only changes. Our skin wrinkles and sags because collagen and elastin production drops sharply after age 30. Sun damage and gravity make the lines deeper, but every wrinkle is simply proof we’ve smiled, squinted, and lived a full life. Joints start to creak and ache more as cartilage wears down and inflammation rises. Regular low-impact movement like walking or swimming really does help keep them moving smoothly.

Around age 40 to 50, most of us need reading glasses because the lens in the eye hardens and loses its ability to focus up close—a condition called presbyopia. It’s completely normal and easily fixed with a pair of cheap readers. Many of us also wake up multiple times at night to pee. The bladder becomes less elastic, the prostate enlarges in men, and our kidneys don’t concentrate urine as efficiently. Cutting back on evening fluids and caffeine can make a big difference.

Energy levels often drop and recovery takes longer because the tiny power plants inside our cells (mitochondria) become less efficient, muscle mass declines, and sleep quality changes. The answer isn’t to slow down completely but to keep moving consistently, eat plenty of protein, and protect our sleep. I honestly feel better now at 74 than I did at 65 because I finally stopped pretending I was still 45.

Finally, hearing often fades, especially for high-pitched sounds. Tiny hair cells in the inner ear wear out after decades of noise exposure. Modern hearing aids are small and effective—there’s no shame in getting checked so you don’t miss the grandkids’ laughter.

Turning 74 has taught me that adopting a Healthy Aging Mindset is the real key. The body is an amazing machine that adapts rather than breaks. Some changes, like the bigger nose or migrating hair, are comical. Others remind us to stay active and eat smarter. The secret isn’t fighting every wrinkle or gray hair—it’s embracing the adventure while giving our bodies what they need: strength training, real food, laughter, and curiosity.

We’ve hiked trails, danced at weddings, and outsmarted more life curveballs than we can count. A slightly bigger nose or shorter stature doesn’t change that adventurous spirit. So next time you catch yourself reaching for the nose-hair trimmer or adjusting your belt, just smile and say, “Still here, still bold.”

Stay strong, stay curious, and keep living life on your terms.