Advantage-young guys look older

[Larry]

Shaving makes me look older than I am.  I'm only 55 but with hair I passed for 45.  Wait, did I say that right?  Well, I have a "baby face" so always had problems dealing with people my own age.

[Ming the Merciless]

No idea if I look "my age" or not.  Guesses?

[marty22]

63?

[schro]

17

[crazy.irish.celt]

This is very mixed.  It depends on what you want your apparent age to do for you. 

18 and looking 21 and older would be an advantage when trying to procure alcohol.  50 and looking 30-ish would be an advantage because you still retain your apparent social maturity, but you aren't necessarily past your 'prime'. 

21 and looking 30 would be a disadvantage because you run the risk of looking like the creeper who tries to pick up younger women.  Plus, women in the 18-30 range still have plenty of young-looking hairy guys to choose from and, in my experience, the majority of them still don't have their priorities arranged such that a man's lack of hair isn't an issue to some extent. 

[jrppsuobx]

When I let my rim grow out to  quarter inch and sport a neat short beard, I have people say I look older than If I am smooth.

[Iconic]

Well, I hope I'm not young enough to look older... But seriously. I think it's a clean look that can accentuate whatever you are wearing. In that way it helps you look older if wou wish - or younger. I dress youger than my age and when I had longer hair (read: average men's hairstyle) it didn't really compliment that look. Last summer I met a former workmate, a twenty-something girl who was surprised that I looked much younger than a year before. You look younger and younger every year she said.

Another thing is of course facial hair. My experience is that a soul patch or a goatee without a mustache is a younger look than a full goatee. I'm of course talking about my face.

[Razor X]

Another thing is of course facial hair. My experience is that a soul patch or a goatee without a mustache is a younger look than a full goatee. I'm of course talking about my face.

Good point.  The soul patch and the 'stache-less goatee are popular among younger guys so the look is somewhat associated with youth.  The only problem is, eventually we all reach the point where we can't shave any more years off our appearance, and then you run the risk of looking like you're trying too hard.

[BigMike01]

I've found with hair I look my age or close to at 34... But going sly I get id'd at bars, casinos or just buying a 6pack at the station. I've been told it's my baby face.