How to correct premature aging around eyes?
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free skin care · Mon Feb 20, 2012 5:14 pm

So I'm 21 but I'm seeing some real disturbing signs of aging around my eyes.

Some background info: I'm very fair, burn easily. I've had about four serious sunburns in the last 6 years, on shoulders and thighs. These areas are normally covered up all the time, expect for the times I decided to tan. So I'm guessing my facial skin also sustained serious damage but didn't burn to the same degree because it's regularly exposed to the sun.

When I was about 16, I went to the derm with concerns about milia around my eyes. She gave me a vitamin A cream, Differin (can't remember the percentage), which I applied around my eyes without any sun protection whatsoever. Then when I was 18, I got a peel for acne scars. I'm guessing it was a TCA because I was peeling for about a week. Of course I didn't wear any sun protection then either. And this peel was done in the middle of summer, too. Rolling Eyes

So now the skin around my eyes is really fragile and wrinkle-y. I'm starting to see really really faint crows-feet, and I see very prominent wrinkles under my eyes at the end of the day, caused by the day's expressions.

I'm using Devita Sunblock everyday since two months ago, and this is something I will continue to do. My iPhone won't take a picture good enough to show my wrinkles so I'll use these pictures I found on the web.
Pic 1: this is actually a really good representation of my eye skin, a few discolorations, kind of orange-peel-y skin, those faint wrinkles.
Pic 2: this is a good representation of my expression wrinkles and crows feet when I smile. It's not AS bad as in the picture, but it's very close.

So what's the best course of action? Should I get a retin-A prescription? Or needle the skin to increase collagen production?

I've read that AHAs increase skin thickness but also that they don't help with wrinkles. Not really sure how that's possible?

free skin care · Mon Feb 20, 2012 5:46 pm

At 21 the signs you are seeing may look like ageing but not be, they may be chronic dehydration or a mild skin condition. If that is the case aggressive/ destructive treatments may no more harm than good, IMO get your skin well hydrated and 'saturated' with antioxidants and beneficial lipids (from inside and out) before adding in Retin-A or looking at microneedling. These can irritate and dehydrate the skin which can cause fine lines to become more prominent in the short term.

I have heard many reports of facial massage being beneficial for thin skin around the eyes so you might read the Tanaka and other threads on the DIY board. The skin has a number of layers, different topicals thicken or thin different layers. What is your full skincare routine at present, other than the Devita? Are you consistently meeting or exceeding all your government's recommendations for healthy eating and lifestyle? Any supplements?

free skin care · Mon Feb 20, 2012 6:40 pm

I do try to drink about 2L of water everyday, although that is including usually one or two coffees (so either 420 or 900 ml). I tend to not exceed the recommended sodium intake, although I believe I do eat slightly more fat (including saturated) than I should. I do eat lots of different-coloured vegetables, fruits, herbs. I think this has been my best year in consuming a varied diet of greens, and I haven't gotten sick this winter. I do tend to eat a lot of sugar, thick chocolate, ice cream, cookies, that kind of thing.

Right now I'm taking the following supplements:
2 pills turmeric extract
1 pill zinc, 25mg (for acne)
3 pills omega-3s, in total 3000mg, 900mg EPA, 800mg DHA (also for acne)
2 pills Nature's Way Alive multivitamin
2 pills CSI Alpha Lipoic Acid Facial Complex

I'm thinking once I'm finished with this batch, I'll continue with the multi-vitamin, the omega-3, zinc and turmeric. I'm currently doing weight-training, body weight exercises, and HIIT so I'm hoping the multivitamin will help offset some of the free radical damage.

As for my skincare routine. I use Aubrey Organics/Avalon Organic shampoo, Earth Science Clarifying Cleanser for body, Earth Science Clarifying Cleanser/ADE Cleanser for face (primarily because they have pHs of 5.5 and 5.0 respectively). I sometimes do OCM.

At night, I use a few drops of squalane oil mixed with two pumps of SkinActives' Antioxidant Booster maybe 2-3 times a week. Otherwise, I don't put on anything.

In the morning, once or twice a week I put on CSS's C+E serum then Devita. Otherwise, just Devita.

free skin care · Mon Feb 20, 2012 10:31 pm

onmyboat wrote:

I do try to drink about 2L of water everyday, although that is including usually one or two coffees (so either 420 or 900 ml). I tend to not exceed the recommended sodium intake, although I believe I do eat slightly more fat (including saturated) than I should. I do eat lots of different-coloured vegetables, fruits, herbs. I think this has been my best year in consuming a varied diet of greens, and I haven't gotten sick this winter. I do tend to eat a lot of sugar, thick chocolate, ice cream, cookies, that kind of thing.

Right now I'm taking the following supplements:
2 pills turmeric extract
1 pill zinc, 25mg (for acne)
3 pills omega-3s, in total 3000mg, 900mg EPA, 800mg DHA (also for acne)
2 pills Nature's Way Alive multivitamin
2 pills CSI Alpha Lipoic Acid Facial Complex

I'm thinking once I'm finished with this batch, I'll continue with the multi-vitamin, the omega-3, zinc and turmeric. I'm currently doing weight-training, body weight exercises, and HIIT so I'm hoping the multivitamin will help offset some of the free radical damage.

As for my skincare routine. I use Aubrey Organics/Avalon Organic shampoo, Earth Science Clarifying Cleanser for body, Earth Science Clarifying Cleanser/ADE Cleanser for face (primarily because they have pHs of 5.5 and 5.0 respectively). I sometimes do OCM.

At night, I use a few drops of squalane oil mixed with two pumps of SkinActives' Antioxidant Booster maybe 2-3 times a week. Otherwise, I don't put on anything.

In the morning, once or twice a week I put on CSS's C+E serum then Devita. Otherwise, just Devita.

Thanks for the links, very helpful and thorough. Very Happy

Great to read you have not been unwell this winter, I thought it was normal to until I cleaned up my diet! Starting young you will be superwoman by the time you hit 40.

IMO you should be more concerned about the free radical damage of the junk in your diet than your exercise regime. The human body can easily recover from with a few heavy workouts when it is appropriately nourished: elite athletes do so more than once a day. Not only is the junk food directly causing inflammation (ageing/ acne), damaging collagen and dehydrating you, but it is taking up space in your diet that should be filled with nutritious foods such as oily fish, dairy, nuts, seeds, beans, lentils and wholegrains. Doing high intensity interval training ramps up the need for all nutrients, not just vitamins and minerals. If you are craving rubbish chances are you are not getting the right amount of one or more macro-nutrient (complete protein, low GI carbs, healthy fats). That multi is low on calcium, magnesium and iron, all of which relate to fitness; are you taking a surfeit in your diet? I am concerned the balance of your fats may be off and you are not taking enough EFAs rather than the overall fat intake. Research has linked acne to the fatty acids produced in sebum and those, in turn, to diet and to difficulty converting one fat to another.

Skincare wise IMO start moisturising every night instead of occasionally. You might consider DragoN's KinNiaNag serum for non-C days, this is good for sun damage and fighting acne.

free skin care · Tue Feb 21, 2012 2:41 am

One of the signs of aging is when you look at the mirror and the eyes have wrinkles.... drink lots of water, avoid sugared drinks, proper diet and most of all protect your skin. There are a lot of creams at EDS you can buy, many comments and reviews... But you have to start now. Don't forget to use a higher SPF before going out....

onmyboat wrote:

So I'm 21 but I'm seeing some real disturbing signs of aging around my eyes.

Some background info: I'm very fair, burn easily. I've had about four serious sunburns in the last 6 years, on shoulders and thighs. These areas are normally covered up all the time, expect for the times I decided to tan. So I'm guessing my facial skin also sustained serious damage but didn't burn to the same degree because it's regularly exposed to the sun.

When I was about 16, I went to the derm with concerns about milia around my eyes. She gave me a vitamin A cream, Differin (can't remember the percentage), which I applied around my eyes without any sun protection whatsoever. Then when I was 18, I got a peel for acne scars. I'm guessing it was a TCA because I was peeling for about a week. Of course I didn't wear any sun protection then either. And this peel was done in the middle of summer, too. Rolling Eyes

So now the skin around my eyes is really fragile and wrinkle-y. I'm starting to see really really faint crows-feet, and I see very prominent wrinkles under my eyes at the end of the day, caused by the day's expressions.

I'm using Devita Sunblock everyday since two months ago, and this is something I will continue to do. My iPhone won't take a picture good enough to show my wrinkles so I'll use these pictures I found on the web.
Pic 1: this is actually a really good representation of my eye skin, a few discolorations, kind of orange-peel-y skin, those faint wrinkles.
Pic 2: this is a good representation of my expression wrinkles and crows feet when I smile. It's not AS bad as in the picture, but it's very close.

So what's the best course of action? Should I get a retin-A prescription? Or needle the skin to increase collagen production?

I've read that AHAs increase skin thickness but also that they don't help with wrinkles. Not really sure how that's possible?

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