Sudden skin aging

[Nogoodwithgoodbyes]

I'm almost 40 but I'm shocked at my skin:

Basically, I've had crow's feet and lines on my forehead for a good few years and I'm okay with that. I have always taken pretty good care of my skin (cleanser, spf during the day, occasional mask and I use serums periodically). The skin on the rest of my face has always been pretty good and people used to comment on how good my skin is.

Just very recently, I've noticed fine lines all over my cheeks, as in, when I smile you can see the lines from the side of my mouth to the side of my eyes. They're very fine/early stage right now but it's actually made me so sad, I've cried. I'm going through marital separation and it never even occurred to me to worry about my skin (bigger fish to fry) but gosh, this is really bothering me.

Any tips, please? What's the best skincare? Has this happened to any of you? I'm considering giving up alcohol as I hear it ages the skin. Both of my parents have amazing skin, so this is definitely not genetic.

Using too much oil OP, pat skin with tissue half an hour after application. I do that all the time.

Botox works where the muscles in the face are causing a crease in the skin - like forehead lines for instance. It relaxes the muscles and the creases disappear. (it can also help with headaches and teeth grinding by relaxing the muscles too). However if the lines are caused by loss of volume (sagging of the skin) Botox won't do much - fillers are more useful as they add volume back into the face. Both are generally temporary and expensive and can be painful - and not without risk. I'd see what you can achieve without injectables first.

@Getoffmylilo

Thanks a lot. I’ll focus on the routine first.

@Branster

Thanks. I’ll give that a shot!

@Northernsoullover

Yeah, I suspect my skin’s demise has a lot to do with alcohol & stress! I miss a glass of wine but I’m actually doing ok without it (for now...!!). How long have you been off the booze?

Also swap your pillow case for a silk one (unless doing the vaseline layer on your face perhaps). I used to have squashed pillow face for half the day with cotton pillowcases, don't get it at all with a silk one and my hair isn't as mental when I wake up either.

I cant see how laser treatment where you burn your face, or scraping the top layer of your skin off is less invasive than 3 or 4 light pinpricks which you can barely feel tbh.

Fillers hurt. Botox doesnt.

Laser doesn’t burn off your face. For me, a couple of days of slight redness then a real noticeable reduction in sun damage and wrinkles is worth it. I had many comments about how good my skin looked.

I hated Botox. It caused me to use other muscles which caused wrinkles there. I think if you get Botox around the eyes it can cause that ‘slightly dead’ behind the eyes look. You can usually tell when people have had it. It looks like you’ve had work done. Lasers don’t.

Lasers don’t freeze the face therefore are not invasive. I went to a very good doctor for Botox too. I’d rather work on making the skin better from within and boosting collagen levels than immobilise the face.

That's interesting about the around the eyes botox making you look dead in the eyes. I definitely think you can tell when someones had too much. Thats a look to be avoided.
The woman who did mine said she only sometimes got crows feet done, but not every time.

Thankyou. Since I’ve lost weight, I’ve lost volume in my face, if anyone has any ideas on treatments that look natural to improve this I’d be very grateful.

After my peel is healed, I’m going for subcision and a tiny bit of restylene filler in my pitted scars, which should hopefully improve the appearance.

It sounds like you’re on top of things @Sammi38

@Getoffmylilo

I must remember to get out a silk pillowcase! I do get pillow-face, all right!

Anybody used the ordinary oils? They do a retional range and it's so cheap but very hard to get hold of? They also do an oil infused with caffeine for around the eyes, tempted to try some out considering it's price.

Peony, have you tried the eye treatment from Revolution? It is caffeine and hyaluronic acid. I know a lot of people really swear by it. I’m going to give it a try, it’s always been out of stock when I’ve looked before.

It’s called Revolution under eye serum. It’s on sale for £3.95 at the moment at Superdrug.

Thanks Sammi I'll look in to that

I use the Ordinary caffeine eye serum. It needs to be used quite sparingly as I was getting a tight feeling around the eyes, as though I had superglued the skin. Now that I’m using a tiny amount, I think it’s good all right. No dramatic improvement but it’s only been 2.5 months...I’ll finish this bottle and see what I think then.

I also plan on purchasing the Ordinary hyaluronic acid and retinol once they’re back in stock.

Which would ye recommend: the Pixi collagen and retinol serum or the vitamin C one? Maybe vitamin C in the morning & collagen & retinol at night?

Exactly the same here, all of a sudden I started to look like crap.
I had some Botox a couple of weeks ago. I've had it before but let it slide so this was the first time for a while.
I feel loads better I didn't have my eyes done as the dermatologist I see doesn't recommend it so I've just had my forehead and between my eyes done it looks very natural and my eyes still crinkle when I smile as the should do at 42.

That’s good it worked for you and looks natural.

I'm following my routine and really enjoying it as it makes me feel like I'm taking better care of myself.

Of course, it's early days, so I'm seeing few results yet but I do realise that my skin was chronically dehyrdated.

I still feel rubbish when I see all the new lines but I'm going to try to stay positive because I'm working at it. All of your input and advice has been so great! I'm going to hold off on Botox and fillers for now. I'm not 40 yet so probably a bit soon (and expensive considering I have an impending divorce). xxx

Sorry I missed your reply. I've been almost a year without. I did miss it but now I wouldn't care if it was taken off the planet.

Good on you @Northernsoullover

It sounds like you’re well rid of the booze so! I do miss a glass of wine but not as much as I thought I would (but it’s only been a week!!!

Nogoodwithgoodbyes how often are you using the caffeine? I was thinking of gently introducing it into my routine?

Wait til you’re 48!

Sorry op. But you’re going to age. Look after your skin as best as you can but better to come to terms with ageing.