Uh oh... You can spend a fortune trying to look young but those droopy ears will give you away (are you listening, Madonna)!

We all know greying hair and wrinkles are a sure sign that age is catching up with us, but there are also more subtle changes that give away those passing years — no matter how well we look after our skin or how diligently we apply our make-up. 
Here, we reveal the ten things you didn’t know were ageing you — and how to fight back.

Watch out for those ears: droopy ears are a sign of ageing that's hard to disguise

FADED EYES
It’s not just sagging brows and crows’ feet that make us look older. Over time, our eye colour appears to fade and our eyes sparkle less. 
According to Emma Jones, consultant ophthalmologist at London’s Moorfields Hospital, the iris does not actually become less bright. However, the whites of the eye become more grey and bloodshot, so there is less contrast.
HOW TO FIGHT BACK: The problem is partly caused by our eyes becoming drier with age, which can be prevented by using over-the-counter eye drops, says Emma.
‘You can also stimulate oil production in the eyelids by putting warm compresses over the lids twice a day and massaging with a clean finger in circular movements behind the lash line.’

 

YELLOWING, LONGER TEETH
We really do get ‘long in the tooth’ — our gums recede over the years, meaning an average front incisor of 11mm can end up as long as 17mm in old age.
Our teeth also darken over time, says dentist Richard Guyver. ‘Many foods and drinks cause staining, especially red wine, curry, tea, coffee and, of course, smoking.
‘Gum erosion also exposes the brownish neck of the tooth. White shiny enamel on the outside becomes worn away, revealing yellow dentine underneath.’ 
HOW TO FIGHT BACK: Use dental floss and brush teeth in a circular, rather than up-and-down motion, to avoid wearing away gum tissue.
To lighten molars, get your dentist to recommend one of the many tooth-whitening treatments now on sale. 
CANKLES
Even the slimmest women can find their ankles thicken into late middle age. It’s because our veins wear out and are not as efficient at pumping blood back to the heart, causing blood to pool in the lower leg.
The body’s waste removal — or lymphatic system — also slows down, which means fluids can pool in the lower half of the limb, creating an unflattering ‘sausage leg’ look. 
HOW TO FIGHT BACK: If you want to do more than cover them with boots and trousers, try massage and dry skin-brushing to improve circulation and help disperse the build-up of fluid around the joint.
Cutting out salt from your diet — which makes the body’s cells retain water — also helps, as does exercise to improve blood flow. 

Tough call: Madonna has spent millions on keeping ageing at bay but has been mocked for her wrinkly hands

Under the knife: Melanie Griffith (left) and Joan Rivers (right) are just two of the many stars who have turned to cosmetic surgery, botox and fillers in an attempt to retain their youthful looks