please help, i'm only 38 fgs!

[doineedhelp]

So, up until 2 years ago I thought I didn't look too bad, not quite my age, maybe a couple years younger...!
Anyway .....

Fast forward to having a baby aged 37, my skin just looks terrible :( the worst thing is my top lip line, I have so many vertical lines it is so aging and so depressing
I realise that my genetics are rubbish, my mums skin was awful, so I am already up against it but I didn't expect it to make me feel so down so soon.

I am prepared to pay (not excessively) for something that will work, thing is I haven't a clue as to what I should do, any ideas as to what I should try? Something that looks natural, I would hate if it lookedike I had had something done iykwim...

Hoping someone has been in same boat as me xx

Bump :)

Why don't you go to a good cosmetic dermatologist? Pay for a consultation about what you could do, and then decide. A good cosmetic dermatologist's work can be unnoticeable.

ooh, i know that feeling. try a mumsnet search for glycolic acid?

I don't have the answer but I sympathise because my skin is the same and I also have poor genes as far as ageing skin is concerned.

I don't have the means or inclination to do anything radical so I have adopted a long-term, low-tech strategy which may or may not help my skin, but should be good for my health:

• more sleep
• less stress
• good sunscreen
• tons of veg, fruit, water, fish, nuts, good fats, wholefoods
• less processed food, less meat, less dairy
• plenty of exercise

I'll let you know in 30 years if it's paid off!

A good facial peel? Never had one but think they are for those fine lines?

or microdemabrasion:

at home

No specific suggestions, but I don't think it's unusual to suddenly have that "help, I'm actually getting old" crisis. Especially as you approach the big-4-0.

Mine came when I went back to work after a long spell as a SAHM. I came back to a workplace full of slender young things; I was suddenly one of the older ones, and for a while I was depressed about pretty much everything - my wrinkles, my spare tyre, my hopeless hair.....

It is worth taking action to do something about it (in my case, taking up running and getting a good haircut sorted out the second two; the wrinkles I have learned to accept), and this will help you to feel better about yourself.

Thanks for the tips, I'm really not a vain person at all but I look at other women older than me and they don't have lines like I have...

I'll have a look at cosmetic dermatologists

naturelover I would love more sleep and less stress (20month old son and work full time) maybe then I could get some exercise in, but I agree with your plan... Good luck!

I am 40 and get regular compliments on my skin. Genetics are rubbish, my mum looked like a raisin since she was 45.

My regime is similar to naturelovers. In addition to drinking lots of water and eating healthy, I make sure that my skin is really well moisturised, I use a GLA peel weekly (order from Bravura), use SPF daily rain or shine, use SPF 30 or 50 when on holiday, never used tanning beds, never smoked, rarely drink, exfoliate very gently weekly in addition to the GLA then apply moisturising mask. Good makeup also does wonders (a moisturising primer from Clarins, Double Wear foundation without powder, pot rouge bobbi brown blusher).

M xx

I'm 37 and it seems like my face face is collapsing before my eyes. Vertical lip lines are my bug bear too. It all seems to have happened in the last year.

I do spend far too much time examining myself in the mirror though, and I'm sure a lot of it is in my head.

In the meantime I am slapping on every cream I can get my hands on. Hyaluronic acid is the latest big thing.

maraki i've just had a look online and i'm a little scared by it all! What do you order? What %age peel and do I need the powder as well?

I'm tempted to give this a go, is it easy to do at home?

Thanks everyone

Have a look at alphaH glycolic acid skincare. Really clears and refines your skin.

I'm 36, my issue is recently acquired lines around my eyes. I've suddenly aged and I look a lot older than I did a year ago.

I have recently started having monthly Dermaologica facials after doing them regularly about 5 years ago (pre-kids). I love their products and they have some great anti-aging ones. The beautician tailors the facial to your skin - different to most facials where you have to choose the facial before and they just use the products the list says! So they can focus on the bits you are worried about or that they think need help. They then recommend the products for you to use at home. The best bit about doing this regularly is that as your regime has effects they tweak what you should use and when etc. My moisturising regime has recently been adjusted and they've added in a different eye cream to help with my lines.

another vote for alpha H - the liquid gold has really helped my skin look fresher.

Silk pillow! Meant to be fab for reducing the creased look I must get on and order one asap as I am waking up more and more crumpled recently!

Forgot to add to my list, no cigarettes and hardly any alcohol of course!

I am dubious about the claims made of face creams but Sali Hughes in the Guardian raves about Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair so I might try to get a sample and see how it feels.

Equally, Red magazine this month was saying over-the counter retinoids are worth using in your 30s and 40s, ie Roc Retin-ox or This Works Wrinkle something-or-other.

Dermalogica products are excellent, they turned around my skin in my 20s so I should probably go back to them. Unfortunately the fab girl who "prescribed" the products and did the facials has moved away.

Maraki Great recommendation, I shall be ordering from that website. Which peel do you use? How long does a bottle last?

I know plenty of people swear by 'products', facials etc, but really it's all a con. A fabulous con. Except for sunscreen, and retin-a. Peels, dermabrasion do absolutely help, and certainly give a lovely glow. No doubt. However, value for money you really are better off doing Botox, fillers and the like. That's the harsh reality. Fairytales. Don't. Exist.

Don't forget, magazines rarely criticise a product, as they earn income from advertising and needs these companies and products to advertise. Think about it, have you ever read a bad review of a product in a woman's magazine?

Thanks everyone for tips and advice...
I appreciate what you are saying lurking but not sure I could go for botox yet, too worried about looking odd...
So I have ordered stuff to do s weekly gla peel and also some hyralonic acid serum, will see how I get on with that for a start

Cheers x

Oh I don't mean you should chase off and have Botox! I'm over 40 (oh the horror!!) and haven't done it. Probably could do with it tho! I just mean that Botox and the like are prob the best value for money.

For the moment, I'm like you and on the glycolic bus!