Dismayed by my wrinkles - what are my options (pic attached)

[wrinklywench]

NC for this - on the off chance of someone recognising me I don't want them seeing other threads!

I was flicking through pics from today and am utterly dismayed about the state of my face!

I'm 35 but think I look much older.

I'm definitely dehydrated - find it hard to drink water when I'm out of routine.

Is Botox my only option? Can they even do the tops of my cheeks?

Help!!

Botox will help if you want it. You can definitely have it round the outside of your eyes.

If you don't want it then make sure you use a good 50+ SPF and wear sunglasses to stop them getting any deeper together with a good eye cream. But truthfully I really don't think they're that bad.

Water. And retinol. Start off easy and build up but you'll start to see results after a couple of months.

I think everyone they smiles has this don't they 🤔

Thanks for the vote(s) of confidence, I think I look so much older than friends.

Will get on to googling retinol in the first instance I think!

I'm in my mid 20s and just noticed my wrinkles after a few years of mental health induced self neglect.

I'm starting on retinol in January, I've spent a lot of time researching and I'm split between The Ordinary in retinol in Squalane £5ish or The Inkey List £9.99 in Boots..

Is that your sort of thing?

Ps- you look much younger than 35!

Your skin looks really clear and fresh!

Skin peel can work on fine lines but botox and filler is your best bet, just a wee bit at the side of your eyes/forehead.

You look lovely and not very wrinkly. I felt that I wrinkled fairly early but didn’t really get worse - I think it’s just how you smile sometimes.

Invest in estee lauder miracle night time repair serum. It isn't anti wrinkle but it is by far the best thing for improving my skin texture and glow. I'm 45 and wish I'd started using it from mid 30s onwards. Big pot last 6 months and is c £80.

Thanks @PurpleFrames yes sounds up my street.

@CrazyToast I'm a little nervous about Botox because I get random allergic reactions to stuff and fear the worst, will be doing some research though!

OP your skin is actually lovely... 🌺

can anyone give me a good brand for Retinol.. I'm at a loss with branding and usage tbh .. 🎄

Tretinoin will out perform any over the counter retinol.

Be sure to use factor 50+ sunscreen all year round or you’ll do more harm than good

@Snally82 Do you have any advice on sunscreen when you have a long term VitD deficiency, I'm not sure if a high factor (currently use 20) will do more harm than good...

Ah OP I was thinking of doing a similar thread! I'm only 34 but have more lines than you I think. Saw some photos of myself recently and was a bit shocked! To be fair I don't think I've had a good night's sleep in 4 years (2 young kids) but honestly feel like my skin looks so much older than it should. Also considering Botox, but worried it will look unnatural.

I’m early 20s and get those lines when I smile, it’s completely normal.

Botox is your only option but cheek filler may be something to consider too as it acts as a scaffold for the surrounding tissue

By cheek filler, I’m thinking mid face or tear trough rather than cheek filler nearer the temples

@PurpleFrames hmm no I’m not sure sorry! I know studies have shown high sunscreen daily can’t case the deficiency but not sure how it stands if you already have it. The Inkey list do a good sunscreen that’s factor 30 if you want to go a little higher x

I think that, given that you don't drink enough water, you may be surprised at the change you could get from drinking sufficient water and using a retinoid. I'd also recommend using a good face oil at night. When my cheeks started to get crepey, I used Sunday Riley Luna oil, and it helped hugely in a short time. Now I try to keep up with the facial oil routine, but use cheaper ones.

Allow yourself some time before going down the Botox route, as you may well not need it.

Botox will totally help! I can't really notice the wrinkles, your skin looks so fresh and is so clear!

I'm sorry but I don't think botox works on the lines under the eyes - only the ones at the side. I have these and I saw all sorts of clinics and doctors and nobody could do much about them - I tried some strategically placed filler at the suggestion of one of them but it did nothing at all, or if anything, made it worse. The only thing that made a difference for me was Tixel, and it didn't come close to getting rid of them. I may be wrong of course, and if you find something that works, please let me know!

I’m the same age and have the same type of wrinkles. Definitely dehydrated too and need to invest a bit more in my skin care routine. I however refuse to inject things in my face and to do something invasive. I don’t want to do it so people think I look younger, I’m in peace with myself.
When I ate a very very healthy diet for a couple years full of vegetables and restricted sugars my skin looked amazing and I actually had people complimenting my skin. Since I started to stress more and eat unhealthy, I look so much older.

Ah interesting @Piwlyfbicsly I have also been eating rubbish since finishing work a week ago so wonder if it's also the increase in sugar.

Will certainly get back to more water and less sugar/rubbish and a better skincare regime - hadn't considered a facial oil but would definitely describe my under eye bags as crepey!

Botox injected by someone who knows what they are doing, not a dentist or similar (mind boggles).

Do you drink alcohol, smoke, not put on sun block? These I find wreck your skin.l long term
What is your normal routine re moisturising