It’s hard to walk through a mall these days without being accosted by pushy sales reps trying to sell the proverbial fountain of youth.

One senior woman who kept walking reported that the salesman shouted, “I guess you want to keep looking old and ugly.” That’s certainly a great way to sell a product, isn’t it?!

I have had persistent sales people in malls try to lure me into their pop-ups or small stores by stepping directly in my path and insisting they have just the right potion or serum for my hair or fine lines or under-eye puffiness. Some of these folks get irate if shoppers decline or ignore the offers.

Unfortunately not all older folks, especially women, are confident enough to reject a free sample the aggressive sales rep is eager to apply, and these older adults often end up being coerced into spending thousands of dollars on products that are no better than other products available in most stores at a fraction of the cost.

I researched one such company and read numerous horror stories, bad reviews, and even saw a few lawsuits, all from individuals who succumbed to sales reps who refused to take “no” for an answer.

Why? Why are folks in their 50s and older so eager to find the latest miracle drug to combat visible signs of aging?

I once read a thought-provoking message by a plastic surgeon who contended that by the time we are 50, we have the face we deserve. After decades of worry or laughter or scowling, our attitude toward life is etched on our face, she wrote.

Apparently a lot of us aging baby boomers are trying to hide our attitudes toward life — trying to disguise the faces that reveal a lot about ourselves to the world.

Years ago, people accepted frown lines, wrinkles and crow’s-feet as a normal part of getting older. But in today’s world, the goal of many is to fend off time, even if that means injecting poison botulism into their faces. I have several friends who undergo this procedure on a regular basis, some for decades. They have not had problems, but some people do, and they can wind up with drooping eyelids or an expressionless, masklike appearance.

Some older friends who are divorced or widowed feel a need to be exceptionally physically attractive in order to find a new partner. Apparently their idea of beauty lies in outward appearances, yet true beauty comes from within. If a potential companion or mate wants somebody who looks 20 or 30 when she’s actually 70 or 80, that tells me he is shallow and definitely is the wrong person.

Like most people, I like to look my best, but I am not devoting my life to unattainable goals promoted by forceful salesmen or multimillion-dollar advertising campaigns. My time, energy and money are better spent in more productive ways.

All the expensive treatments and miracle drugs on the market cannot make us youthful again. Despite sales pitches, no magic potions exist to stop us from aging. Only an early death can prevent us from getting older, but who wants that?

Life etches our faces. What we are feeling inside shows on the outside. A smile inside us radiates outward. Inner peace, happiness and contentment can help erase frowns and furrowed brows, without expensive products.

All those little lines are signs that tell the world we have lived a long, full life. Think of them not as wrinkles, but as wise cracks!