Age is not being kind… with pic! Botox needed, and what else??

[MamaDuckling]

I have always had a very “expressive” face but now it is really getting me down. I look battered, and significantly older than my friends (who are mostly older). For info, I’m not yet 40.

I’ve had Botox a couple of times and whilst I don’t love the frozen look, I think I need to keep it up as a preventative measure now??

I don’t smoke, don’t see much sun, don’t drink too much, why am I so wrinkled?! And what else will help? I could probably drink more water but that can’t be all I’m doing wrong!

Any advice much appreciated. Feeling a bit miserable.

Plenty of water, SPF, a good medical skincare routine and regular peels / hydrofacials / microneedling / skin booster treatments
And Botox, sorry, but it's a must for deep wrinkles in the forehead

I like your face. And I am not just saying that. I don't think you need Botox but then I don't think anyone needs Botox, so.... Tret will help.

And just to say that you’ve all been very kind. I do have a nice face. I am quite pretty. I just feel old now, and old is fine, I think I just feel that I look significantly older than my years and peers!

I bet you have a Kate humble look. Pretty and outdoorsy and attractively windswept.

As other have mentioned hydration, tret, spf, and some unctuous creams can really make a difference. And maybe sleeping with some Frownies on your forehead. I have a friend who swears by them.

Emma Thompson and Jamie Lee Curtis look so great compared to the rest of their peers. Even if they look old. I don't think they have had Botox recently.

I don't think op looks celtic it looks like French or Scandi skin.
Tret and retinol won't fix this type of wrinkles, save your money.
Your skin looks typical of outdoorsy sporty people. You might be very slim, if you can bear it gain half a stone or stone hopefully it will plump up your face a bit and the classic move, get a fringe!

Ok so here’s my plan

• water - loads, starting now
• fringe, argh, maybe
• detmatica and tret etc
• frownies
• collagen and zinc supplements
• Botox!

I will update over the coming weeks for anyone interested!

@MamaDuckling
DId you grow up in a smoky house? If you think you look older than your peers perhaps it was your environment growing up.
We're much more aware of the impact of second hand smoking these days but there are many adults, perhaps aged 40+, who spent their childhoods in smoky houses and cars . Who knows (perhaps someone does) what the long term impact of such an environment is.

First, you look great!

Then, I'm not sure anyone's said it yet, but... sleep. It's as important as SPF or drinking water. And it's harder to come by for many women in their 40's and 50's. If you are struggling to get your 7 or 8 hours, it will honestly will make an immediate difference to your face.

Thanks @Keepupandout very kind. Sleep goes on the list but yes I am a night owl, probably get closer to 6 hours a night…

and nope, no one smoked in the home!

What's a Cat's bum mouth? 😂😂😂

Tret takes a bit of time for your skin to adapt and see the benefits but stick with it, it pays dividends in the long run.

You need to change your mindset, your body has worked really hard to keep you alive the last 30 odd years, the least you can do is love it back.
I am 54, and genuinely love the way l look. I don't waste a moment looking for faults, people compliment me lots, l don't need it, l am wise enough to know the only approval l need is my own.

Marking place as I also have a prematurely wrinkled forehead. I’m expressive and my skin is dry which makes it worse I think. I’ve been thinking about Botox for about 10 years but I’m scared of having a big shiny forehead.

You look lovely and you're always going to have a few lines when you smile/squint. Especially if you're slim.

I'm a bit older than you (43) but have been feeling similar about my skin from a bit over 40 I'd say. I wondered if it's hormonal partly. I do look around similar age mums and feels we've all suddenly aged around 40 though and maybe you're comparing with your most youthful looking peers. I also find I need to step a bit away from the mirror and remember that most people aren't scrutinising me from 6 inches away!

My current plan is:
Drink more water
Collagen - I am using this which after a bit of research is slightly cheaper than some for a decent dose of 5000 mg
Hyalauronic acid supplement daily
Skin&Me (similar to Dermatica - contains Tret)
Lovely moisturising skincare (I got this with a bit of money off so was £57)

I'm planning to give all those a go for 3 months and then review.

Outdoors type here too - no idea if it has any long-term effect but short term, when I'm off outside to run or hike, especially in the cold, I tend to add either a nice oil or a spot of vaseline to my wrinklier areas of my face to protect them from drying out in the elements which otherwise makes me look wrinklier.

So a smooth face belongs to a non-good egg? Ridiculous assertion.

OP, I’d see a good doctor pronto and get some Botox to sort out the deep lines.

Drink more water, it really does make a huge a difference. Eat fat, lots of it, including saturated. Cut out sugar and reduce refined carbs. Take collagen. And Botox is fantastic if you are already doing all of that and still feel you need more smoothness 👍🏽

Alongside your list, I'd be looking at your diet.

Specifically what good oils and fats you are eating.

I'm wondering if you have quite low body fat in general?

While quality skincare etc is important, if you're not eating enough good fats, I do think it affects the quality of your skin.

I have red hair and oily skin, and so does my friend. My granny also had oily skin. Everyone is different.

tretinoin

I was going to suggest this. Daily spf of at least 30, (maybe 50 if using the Tretinoin).

I really do think though, that unless people are abusing themselves with excessive alcohol, sun exposure etc, most of the difference in how people age is down to genetics. I know you say your parents are ageing ok, but you can still get throwback genes to another relative. I'm at an age where I am noticing a massive difference in how people from mid 40s onwards age. And those age recognition software they have developed is less accurate on older people due to the difference in how people age.

And this! I have natural antibodies to botox AND the botox alternative! I have static 11 lines ( actually now 111 lines, developing into 1111 lines!) so a fringe is my only option

if you are open to the idea of injectables then profihlo may be what you’re looking for.

Good post 👍

What a lovely post.