I’m not saying that it is hard to spot old people but the difference between 45 and 50 isn’t that great.
It wouldn’t have mattered either in my last two jobs or my current one since my managers were all older than I am. But, I don’t take any chances. I go to all my interviews clean shaven - bald head, and no facial hair specifically because of the ageism boogeyman. No one thinks twice about a Black guy with a bald head.
No I’m not saying that’s the answer for anyone else.
That was my plan if and when this becomes an issue for me. I'm 35 so I haven't yet (to my knowledge) experienced agism but if I'll live long enough I'm pretty sure I will still need to work for another 30+ years.
Anyway dying/shaving your hair etc will help you mask 50 vs 45, but when you're 60...
They have eyes, and age shows. Wrinkles, greying hair etc.
Its not that hard to spot old people.