Aging very fast

[SureFootedWhispher]

I have always looked about 10 years younger than my age but all of a sudden at 36 something happened.

My forehead is very lined, crinkley and dry looking and looks older than 36.

My hair now plaits into a plait the thickness of barely two fingers. And it's apperance and texture has changed.

My hands look very dry and old.

What can I do? It's like i've aged years within 6 months.

[SnowBells]

If you can't get Retin A, you can get retinol in more concentrated forms from companies like Skinceuticals. It's not as potent, but it does work if your problem is not too drastic.

Unfortunately, most "medical facials" I know of only exist in bigger cities like London… or abroad. These places basically look clinical - none of the nice-smelling, candle-lit stuff. It's like going to the Dental Hygienist...

[CookieMonsterIsHot]

I am in my forties.

CACI facials work wonders for me. The beautician does a mild chemical peel at the same time. My skin peels a bit for a few days afterwards but not enough that I'm embarrassed at work (it looks a bit like bad hangover skin IMO). I don't know if the peel with the caci is standard or just something my one does.

For hands I use foot cream: CCS or Compeed. The stuff for very cracked heels has my hands looking younger than they should.

I live in a rural area. All the nearby villages/towns have several independent beauticians. Some have tiny shops, some work from home, some will come to your house.

[lottieandmia]

Yes, CACI is very good.

[MeganChips]

The Retin A I use is from Health and Beauty Express on eBay. I use the 0.025% and that's been fine. Yes, it's a cream.

Start very slowly. Use it over the top of your serum and and use a pea sized amount over your whole face. For the first couple of weeks try using it every other night. If you get no reaction you can build up to every night. I now use a 5p size dollop.

As sj73 says, it's a long term thing. Don't expect overnight results, give it at least 3.

[DrankSangriaInThePark]

Glycolic acid peel 30% made a huge difference to my skin. Also from ebay. Bravura London are reputable sellers of it. Loads of threads about doing peels in s and b from about 2 years ago. We all went baaaa and shizzled!

Best moisturizer imo is neals yard frankincense nourishing. Also v good but more ££££s is l'occitane divine cream. Best serum off the shelf is still boots protect and perfect imo. I had a hyaluronic acid one from ebay too which was good.

I am almost 49

[MsAstronaut]

On the more budget side of things...

Drink lots of water
Eat salmon, nuts, seeds, avocados - good fats that give you nice plump skin and shiny hair.
Less sugar, white carbs and coffee (I love coffee but have managed to cut down a bit)
I like the organix argan oil shampoo and conditioner - I have fine, flat hair, it gives me sleek shiny hair and it is mid-priced, about £6.
Colour your hair – even if it's just your natural colour, it will give it a boost and make it feel thicker and glossier for a while. You can do a home colour, I like Casting creme gloss.
Use sun protection/hat/shades to avoid sun on your face and eyes.
Vaseline around eyes every night and on any wrinkly areas.
Try a facial oil instead of moisturizer - the Clarins ones are fab, and I'm currently trying a much cheaper boots botanics one which is also great.

[PrimalLass]

OK have ordered some retin A. Am such a sheep.

[SureFootedWhispher]

I have found a caci fascial near me. Going to book in.

I have the glycoli acid 15% night cream but dont use it that often. Must start.

Caffiene is a big baddie for me.

[SureFootedWhispher]

And a salon offering dermatude. Anyone tried that?

[FoxyHarlow123]

Come on people, spill all the secrets in your little address books!!!

[MillyCariad]

I don't do anything and my skin is relatively unlined other than a few laughter lines . I look 35 as I am told very often. I eat really well with lots of fats and real food. Im in my 50s.

[PacificDogwood]

If you feel there has been a sudden change in your skin and hair have you had your thyroid function checked out?

[JetJungle]

I have just ordered Retin A and Lancôme Advanced Genifique.

What sun protection are we talking? Is SP30 okay?

[lottieandmia]

You should always use at least SPF30, especially if you are using skin peel treatments. UVA is what damages your skin the very most and will do damage all year round, not just in the summer. In fact the sun is the most damaging thing to us all, even above smoking.

[Pinkfrocks]

Oh FGS! I can't believe that you young 'uns are moaning about ageing at 35. Get a grip ( said kindly)

The best you can do is eat well, cut out all the crap and as much sugar as possible, ( limit should be 1 teaspoon= 5 gms a day) , booze, ciggies, sun and that's the best you can do.

I can't really believe you think you look old simply because my friends are all 50+, some 60+ and look great.

[annabanana19]

Surefootedwhisper - do you have a beauty salon within a college near you? They would offer Caci at a fraction of the price.

[FoxyHarlow123]

I agree about the 30 something's. You have no idea young people of what's in store, no idea! If I was 30 something again, I'd be parading round town in a bikini.

[MrsKoala]

Have you recently had a baby OP? I found when i had DS (when i was 35/36) my face visibly sagged down. It was really strange. I aged about 10 years over a month. I wasn't even having bad sleepless nights to blame it on.

It's not the 'ageing' per se, more the sudden onset of it.

I splashed out on about £300 of expensive skin care and had juvederm fillers in my nose to mouth/marionette lines (which seemed to appear over night) - the key to them is not let them get a deep hold on you and sort them out before they set in. I only needed the minimum amount and it wasn't that expensive. It made a massive difference and has lasted for 9 months so far, with no visibility of the lines back on my face at all. I will defo keep up with it once a year (or whenever necessary).

[Pinkfrocks]

LOL@Foxy!

[NewEraNewMindset]

I noticed after 35 I aged rapidly too. I am now 39 and look it unfortunately.

If money was no object I would be going towards the therapies that encouraged collagen renewal and probably keep away from Botox as I think that's not anti ageing at all.

It's all about being dewy and polished with glossy hair. I haven't achieved it in the slightest as I have no real disposable income but don't be deceived just how much time and effort goes into making these A listers look great. It's not easy at all.

[soaccidentprone]

I think you need to look at your diet as a starting point. Plenty of green leafy veg, tomatoes, etc. eggs twice a w eek, olive oil to cook with, plenty of whole grains. Cut out alcohol. Take evening primrose oil, starflower oil and silica supplements.

Ditch the tea and coffee etc. drink green tea and herbal teas, especially nettle. Lots of fish, tofu, some nuts.

Buy and use a clarisonic. I use REN products - the one which contains roses. Wear sunscreen, or use mineral foundation. Try to get plenty of sleep and some exercise - swimming, cycling.

Give it a couple of months and see how your skin looks, then evaluate.

Hope this helps

[CheeseBored]

Someone upthread mentioned fruit acid- would lemon juice work??

[Eliza22]

Have you thought of visiting your GP? Maybe getting your thyroid, hormones and iron levels checked? You mention your hair has thinned. Are your periods regular or have you maybe lost weight too quickly? Just a thought.

Stress (and the things we often do to combat it) can be ageing "overnight".

I've had a few years of stress with step-kids (actually, they're adults now but haven't grown out of the stroppy teen thing) and with my own ds, who is disabled and who has been very ill. Consequently, I was eating too much and certainly, a little too keen on red wine and Prosecco.

Things have settled now in terms of "there are things I cannot change" and I must deal with them differently. I've lost weight. Take daily exercise. Eat more fruit. Try to drink more water. Instead of wine, I have apple juice with sparkling water in an ice cold glass. I still feel like it's a "drink" without the feeling half dead, the next day. My skin is better. I feel better.

Be careful with Retin A. It's good but, the downside can be sensitivity and deeper ageing from UV light. Not full on sun bathing, just everyday daylight. You must wear a high spf to counter this.

[Pinkfrocks]

Seriously OP those sort of changes in your hair often mean a hormonal imbalance, thyroid issues or anaemia.
Hair quality only really changes after the menopause so if you are having those issues now it sounds as if you have other medical issues going on- or a poor diet.
Forehead lines are the result of sun damage as well as expression- do you raise your eyebrows a lot- some people do, ever time they talk!
The remedy is Botox, a fringe, and daily sunblock.

At 35 you ought to be in your prime. So you could take along hard look at your diet and lifestyle. Lots of good suggestions already on diet etc.

[mayihaveaboxofchoculaits]

Re CACI.
I booked myself a session, but was rejected because of my ms. They explained it was going to influence my brain! I politely explained that thats not how it works. Lovely girls ,but really!
Anyway came home and looked up facial exercises on youtube, I think its working. so that and retinol for me.