What would you do with this? (pics included)
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free skin care · Thu Oct 20, 2011 10:54 pm

password is guests

All feedback is welcome but please don't be too harsh. I played tennis for YEARS with minimal sunscreen. I just started using a glycolic face wash in the a.m. and retin-a (very low % to start) and the AALS. Haven't seen much change. Sad

I am ONLY 37 but my skin looks much older, THANKS!

free skin care · Thu Oct 20, 2011 11:34 pm

Hi,

For a start you look about 37, not much older! and everyone pretty much gets those lines at that age. if it's the lines you are worried about then Botox would be your number one treatment. I recommend it because I've been looking for a non-Botox solution since I was about 37 and haven't found one. I'm getting needled now. If done well it will look very natural and is really the only thing on the market that will eliminate those lines. Wish it wasnt, but I've yet to discover a cream that can do anything except hydrate the skin.

Same with resurfacing treatments too. They can treat the top layer of skin but not the underlying muscle that causes the skin to
wrinkle there. Botox seems expensive but in terms of effectiveness it's actually the cheapest treatment out there. You could spend thousands on alternatives And ot get the same results.

free skin care · Thu Oct 20, 2011 11:39 pm

One thing I did find gave encouraging results immediately at no cost is the Tanaka massage. It will make your skin radiant and smooth right after it and really does improve the face. But the results only last till the end of the day and it must be done daily.

If you are referring to the pigmentation, then that's a specialist topic best left to people more experienced than I. The short answer is, you have to find what works for you because not all solutioons work on everybody.

free skin care · Fri Oct 21, 2011 12:03 am

Botox. If it makes you feel any better, i had much worse crow's feet than yours at 37 & that's when i started getting Botox, well a few months before turning 37. I blame years of horse riding in the hot Australian sun with no sunscreen. Botox will fix them. Don't waste your money buying expensive creams that make empty promises.

free skin care · Fri Oct 21, 2011 4:00 am

I am a similar age to you, addressing fine lines, open/ blocked pores and some sunbed damage on very sensitive skin. I have had good results simply making my whole routine more hydrating. TBH I struggle to understand why some harsh ingredients are used in anti-ageing, as you can often end up fighting the resulting dehydration or irritation with yet another product.

I do light lactic acid peels (hydrating AND exfoliating AND effective on age spots), swapped foaming cleansers to a cleansing lotion and muslin cloth, added a simple hyaluronic acid serum (eBay), richer moisturiser containing sweet almond oil and lanolin (Weleda). My mask also contains some lanolin (Rene Guinot), and I occasionally use easily absorbed oils (olive squalane blended with rosehip). Last thought is not to underestimate the power of a healthy lifestyle - especially diet. Cool

free skin care · Fri Oct 21, 2011 7:06 am

What issues are you trying to address? The Retin A will help with fine lines. However, you are smiling in your picture and everyone gets those wrinkles at the eye area when they smile. That is normal and just a part of life. If you are looking at correcting the pigmentation, look in to Obagi - still the best regimen out there for pigmentation issues.

free skin care · Fri Oct 21, 2011 7:22 am

Thanks for the feedback. I wanted to address the crow's feet and the hyperpigmentation Smile

free skin care · Fri Oct 21, 2011 9:09 am

Those lines are bet treated with Botox which may be temporary but also give3s instant results so you could start searching for something less invasive while being wrinkles free Razz

The glycolic face wash wont do much as it needs at least three minutes on the skin before it starts to work, so you could continue to use it with a cleansing brush but be sure to purchase a serum with a decent percentage of glycolic acid in it. Peels will help with the discoloration.

You also look 37 not much older Smile

free skin care · Fri Oct 21, 2011 9:32 am

I'm pretty new to the forum but I have looked myself at using kojic acid or hydroquinone for pigmentation I don't really know much about it yet but it is supposed to help that kind of issue can anyone enlighten me abit about it no one here seems to mention using it is there a reason for that ?

free skin care · Fri Oct 21, 2011 9:35 am

flick24 wrote:

I'm pretty new to the forum but I have looked myself at using kojic acid or hydroquinone for pigmentation I don't really know much about it yet but it is supposed to help that kind of issue can anyone enlighten me abit about it no one here seems to mention using it is there a reason for that ?

Hello and welcome, Kojic acid is supposed to be beneficial as well as hydroquinine. I cant speak for others but I'm not quick to mention it as it thins the skin somewhat more than alpha hydroxy acids do and thats never a good thing for the skin.

free skin care · Fri Oct 21, 2011 9:45 am

flick24 wrote:

I'm pretty new to the forum but I have looked myself at using kojic acid or hydroquinone for pigmentation I don't really know much about it yet but it is supposed to help that kind of issue can anyone enlighten me abit about it no one here seems to mention using it is there a reason for that ?

IIRC there have been safety concerns regarding topical hydroquinone. Also many people who have hyperpigmentation are also interested in reducing fine lines and wrinkles - light acid peels may address both which, AFAIK, hydroquinone alone does not. That is pretty much the extent of my knowledge on this so please so your own research.

free skin care · Fri Oct 21, 2011 10:22 am

I don't think your skin is that bad really! I wouldn't say you had deep wrinkles, and your cheeks are full. I would work on making your skintone more even and luminous.

Firstly, find a great sunscreen. Then you could try some AHA's to brighten up the complexion. I would experiment with some moisturizers to help with creating that *glowy* look (perhaps facial oils- argan, squalane etc, or La Mer for a superficial glow- say, for an evening out etc). A great vitamin c serum is a must and perhaps, a retinoid at night to prevent any more wrinkles.

HTH

free skin care · Fri Oct 21, 2011 10:33 am

Thanks for the info it has put me off a bit, does it thin the skin differently to how retin a does?
I have read people using kojic soap do you think this could be as harmful?

free skin care · Fri Oct 21, 2011 1:05 pm

I think that my skin looks even worse lately b/c its so dehydrated from starting renova about 5 weeks ago. I have very congested skin and just cured the mess that the OCM made. I have blackheads and cystic acne if I use products that don;t agree with my pores but I just don't know what to use as far as moisturizing/hydrating. I don't want to spend a lot of money either.

free skin care · Fri Oct 21, 2011 2:14 pm

flick24 wrote:

Thanks for the info it has put me off a bit, does it thin the skin differently to how retin a does?
I have read people using kojic soap do you think this could be as harmful?

Hydroquinone doesn't thin the skin, at least as far as I remember. In fact there are studies out from a while back that show Hydroquinone mixed with tretinoin works better than tretinoin alone for fine lines. Retin A does not actually thin the skin, either. It builds collagen. If you think about it, you don't want thick skin on your face. Think about where you skin gets thick and how it looks - feet for example. Not a good look for the face. The thicker ones skin, usually the more leathery it tends to look.

Shelly, if you are just looking for a good moisturizing product, have you tried Cerave? It is not expensive and it works very well at hydrating the skin. Not sure how it would work if you have acne/blackheads, but it is inexpensive enough to give it a try.

ETA: Most of the studies that were causing concern on the Hydroquinone front were using extremely high amounts of HQ (and some topical use), way above the normal usage amount of 4%.

free skin care · Fri Oct 21, 2011 5:49 pm

rileygirl wrote:

flick24 wrote:

Thanks for the info it has put me off a bit, does it thin the skin differently to how retin a does?
I have read people using kojic soap do you think this could be as harmful?

Hydroquinone doesn't thin the skin, at least as far as I remember. In fact there are studies out from a while back that show Hydroquinone mixed with tretinoin works better than tretinoin alone for fine lines. Retin A does not actually thin the skin, either. It builds collagen. If you think about it, you don't want thick skin on your face. Think about where you skin gets thick and how it looks - feet for example. Not a good look for the face. The thicker ones skin, usually the more leathery it tends to look.

Shelly, if you are just looking for a good moisturizing product, have you tried Cerave? It is not expensive and it works very well at hydrating the skin. Not sure how it would work if you have acne/blackheads, but it is inexpensive enough to give it a try.

ETA: Most of the studies that were causing concern on the Hydroquinone front were using extremely high amounts of HQ (and some topical use), way above the normal usage amount of 4%.

Oh that clears it up for me then. I always assumed that was the reason it was bad Embarassed

free skin care · Fri Oct 21, 2011 7:25 pm

I hope you realize Shelley that you can never get rid of wrinkles. The texture of your skin will appear to look smoother, but you won't rid your face of wrinkles. They are a result of sun damage, so you would be better off by always wearing sunscreen 365 days a year to prevent future wrinkles(ing).

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