Aged terribly in last 3 years - anyone else?

[LovelyJubbly12345]

I looked okay at 50. I'm now almost 54 and my eyelids are a bit droopy and I have a saggy neck! How can that happen in 3-4 years??!!

I'm one with the insomnia too (obviously at 3.45). I was complaining to a nurse that I'm only averaging four hours a night and she said I look well on it. I don't feel well on it!

Same here. From youthful to saggy in a couple of years. It's demoralizing.

The band is not considered as effective as other procedures these days, have a double check on whether that would be right for you, if you dont have huge amounts to lose think about something temporary like a balloon

Am I the only one who gave up on Tret? I hated the burning sensation that it started with, felt the whole process couldn't possibly be good for my skin. Felt quite liberated when I stopped using it !

My face is fine re: ageing - I'm blessed with good genes in that department- but my God, my neck looks 75. It really looks like someone else's.
I've started slathering on the skincare (probably should have started 25 years ago..) but without much hope.

Yes me. Sorry. Was doing on five years ago, now...

@Iactuallylovedit I love tret but really started too late, my friend who started in her 20's legit looks 20 years younger than her age (not just down to tretinoin of course). I started at a very low dose and worked my way up and yeah at times I thought of throwing the towel in due to irritation and dry skin but glad I didn't. I do know many women who struggled with it and finally stopped trying, I think that is very common really.

I don't know if it is down to application method, sensitivity issues or that tretinoin just works better for some than others. There is also quite a few people who feel tret actively damaged their skin and even lost facial volume from it. It s definitely not a silver bullet for all though and I'm jealous of those for whom it really works and they can tolerate it well!

yes aged rapidly here too. I'm 45 used to have many people comment on how young I looked for my age years ago, now those comments have stopped and nobody says it when they ask my age. I actually hate anyone asking my age now. my mum on the other hand is early 70s and looks absolutely amazing for her age.
Can anyone on here recommend a good facial spf50 cream that is none greasy and doesn't bloody sting your eyes?

Ultraviolette is amazing, including under make up. But quite pricey

https://www.cultbeauty.co.uk/ultra-violette-supreme-screen-hydrating-facial-skinscreen-spf-50/13313919.html?affil=thggpsad&switchcurrency=GBP&shippingcountry=GB&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-u74o3KgAMVyvftCh25NwrgEAQYASABEgLmllDBwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

@SilverGlitterBaubles My neighbour is on HRT and has a lot of lines whereas my mate who is the same age is not on HRT and has far less. It is mainly genetic and also how you have treated that skin over the preceding years. The British love of the sun has a lot to answer for that’s the biggest difference in those two women, very different attitudes. My mate who I have known since she was 20 wears sunglasses almost all the time.

I aged post menopause, skin is still really decent but I’m not white and it’s the genetics. Plus have never gained a lot of weight and a lot of women I know seem to yo yo size wise a lot, I’m pretty sure that must be very bad for skin.

@OnaHotTinRoofNow I agree genetics, diet, lifestyle and how you care for your skin are all very important factors. I have never really had to worry about my weight so it is a shock now that the pounds are suddenly creeping up. For now I am going to try diet and exercise as I feel menopause symptoms are not severe enough to warrant daily medication. I also believe that a good multivitamin, particularly B vitamins and magnesium supplements have really helped. That could change however and I am still keeping an open mind about HRT.

I've turned mid 30s and suddenly got grey hairs and thinning skin around the eyes. I regret using retinol as it made my skin age quicker in spite of religious sun screen application.

Did your GP have a medical reason to not prescribe HRT for you to try? Might be worth exploring this https://www.balance-menopause.com/menopause-library/example-letter-to-gp-requesting-hrt/#:~:text=I%20would%20really%20appreciate%20it,way%20you%20can%20support%20me%3F

My understanding, correct me anyone if I'm wrong, is that you can ask for it and, under NICE guidelines, they have to give it to you unless there are medical reasons not to. It's made a HUGE impact of my mental well-being and my physical (all interlinked, I would say) my skin feels firmer, I sleep better, I feel more 'me'. Bear in mind, it can take several months to find the right level/method - I have been very fortunate, very supportive GP and my prescription worked well pretty quickly. It's really hard to advocate for yourself when your not feeling great so maybe the suggestion above (the letter) might help?

A lot of people don't get along with it. I tried it a couple of times but was underwhelmed. At least I didn't get the big purge some experience.

I joined a Tretinoin group and going by the photos there you have to be in it for the long haul, talking years, to see any slight difference in fine lines, even then there are often arguments about whether the person is also using fillers or if that's cheating.

What are your skin care secrets please?! I feel I’ve changed a lot in the last 2 years and am now 43. I’ve started trying creams etc to see if it will help.
Younger friends have already started on Botox but I can’t justify that cost. However, I feel even older because they aren’t 40 yet but having Botox and I’m 43 and natural.

Just to mention- I had a bad experience with a cream with retinol - used it sparingly to start but ended up with burnt feeling skin on my forehead and nose and chronic dry eyes - and it never went away - even a year later.

Our expectations of ourselves are too high now- my nan had false teeth and a shampoo and set by 50s. Within a couple of generations we're expecting to look more like 30's/40s by that age.

I agree HRT is mixed, it's not the cure for wrinkles that really depends on the person and I think a lot of it is genes. Not gaining too much weight and trying to get relaxation and sleep would help

She posted it all yesterday at 20.22 x

Literally was going to type this myself. I thought I had good genes and was bulletproof.
My hair’s shit f, my face has both sagged and got fatter. Weird liver spots and discolouration and my skin generally is lumpy and wrinkled. All within a year. Oh and my teeth are wonky and my lazy eye is really pronounced.
No idea where to start.

I would love HRT but it's not that simple and it's not just about being fobbed off or changing doctors. I have a family history of a certain disease and the different doctors I saw said it was too risky. It's really annoying listening to people who think it's such an easy fix.

Thank you!

To those who said their ageing accelerated after having a baby, was that because of hormones or general tiredness/lack of sleep?

Yes absolutely

I've aged 20 years so it seems the last 3 years. I was even telling DD this last night

I've gone from looking younger than my age to looking what seems very much my age 53.

Sagging jowls from being overweight no doubt.

I'd rather have sunken cheeks but I'm finding it hard to lose weight although I'm trying. I've been on HRT the last few months

My skin itself is ok, no wrinkles yet because I've been using great skincare for years. It's partly genetic as well I think.

I think the reason I don't have wrinkles is because I've worn foundation, which always has SPF, everyday since I was 14

I actually do a shocked double take every time I see myself in the mirror now it's not nice

I was replying to someone else specifically who didn't appear to have those issues and had mentioned HRT in her post. It wasn't directed at you so no need to be so triggered just because you can't have HRT doesn't mean other women who can shouldn't discuss it's benefits just because it might annoy you.