Face feels all sort of scrunched up

[Crispbutsunny]

It looks it too

Hard to explain, but over the last year or so my face has really changed, my eyes are all puffy above my eyes and underneath have bags and my face just feels sort of tight and scrunched up, it just looks different too,
I’m 45 so suspect peri is making changes. I’ve been really looking after my skin for over 6 months-using Tretinoin etc, so no idea why I look worse.
Is anyone else like this?

Anyone else with a scrunched up face 😬

So mine goes like this if I use a product I am allergic to. Any new product you are using?

Tight part U do not understand but the puffy eyes could do with some treatment, is it puffing or sagging?

@coldcallerbaiter Complete puffiness

Hmm..I'd consider seeing a GP

@LittleMooli What do you think it is?

they might want to run blood tests. Even if they dismiss it as hormones it's good idea to check kidney and liver

Tretinoin makes you DRY. I mean really dry. You need more moisture. You should also make sure you're drinking enough water. You can also try a collogen supplement there's powdered ones you can add to coffee which I like.

If your face is feeling scrunched it may be literally how you're holding it, I tend to clench my jaw when I'm tense or have been exercising a lot. Some people purse their lips, others frown. It doesn't really show when we are young but as we age it causes lines and creases. Can you 'relax' the scrunch if you try? Options might be face yoga and gua sha, I've not tried these some people swear they work some say there's no evidence but given they are harmless it's certainly worth a try. A slightly more extreme solution is Botox which will literally relax the muscles that are causing the scrunching, you won't look frozen or weird if you go to a good injector.

It is also worth getting your eyes checked to be sure you're not squinting to read things or look at stuff that far away. You will almost certainly be scrunching if that's the case.

@Anotherparkingthread Could the Tretinoin have caused this? It does seem
different since around that time

@LittleMooli I do have constant kidney stones and am having investigations for that

Are you taking any medication?

Can I ask about tretinoin? I’m so confused as seen it makes skin so dry doesn’t that cause more lines due to dehydration? I have really dry skin anyway are some people better suited to a different ant aging routine (eg intense hydration plus perhaps Botox instead of tret?) or is it the best all round in the long run

Hmmm, the eye swelling thing could be a symptom of something like hyperthyroidism or Cushings. You should see a doctor.

Yes it can. I use tretinoin but I do have acne prone skin/oily skin. Do you use tret every night?
You probably need a heavier moisturizer. My skin cant handle anything too heavy so it's something I struggle with. Hydraluronic acid helps. I buy one from the ordinary which is inexpensive and use it with my moisturiser. You should try moisturing more often as well, especially if you walk a lot/pend time outside.

I have this is if I eat too much crappy food. I went for intolerance testing and was intolerant to wheat and dairy. If I avoid them my face looks much better. If I don't I'm very puffy. Just an idea to try anyway.

Do you eat a lot of salt?

@JamSandle I have been craving crisps recently and eating more 😬not sure
I don’t drink though so not sure why a puffy sort of face

Not enough water/ too much salt/ poor diet in general can cause face puffiness/ dehydrated skin.

Have you had your thyroid levels checked at all, please get a full thyroid and antibodies blood check as underactive thyroid can cause face changes. Hope this helps and hope you get to the cause of it soon.