Wrinkles wrinkles wrinkles at 39 help!

[Purplefoxes]

Vanity calls..Suddenly noticed how wrinkly my skin looks especially under my eyes, on my forehead and how deep my 11 like now is. Photo below.
Is it too late or can anything be done? Admittedly I have a 6 month old and have not had much sleep lately or looked after my skin for a while but gah, I look about 50! I have to work with 20 something's in my office all with pristine skin. Considering Botox/fillers but absolutely no idea what/where or how much?! I don't want the Muppet look, I want to look natural. My teeth are also awful and out of alignment since I was young but one for another thread! My eyes although deep set were my good feature but now they are so lined I can't easily put make up on without it settling in the deep creases. Please help wise mumsnetters!

I feel your pain. I'm 38 with three young children and I just look in the mirror and despair!

I've just had braces to straighten my teeth, but the next job is wrinkles and skin texture!

I've been looking into retinol, microneedling and non ablative laser treatment, but I've not taken the plunge with anything yet. I don't really fancy botox or fillers.

I'll be following this to see if anyone has any good advice...

I think you look great OP from the small photo you've posted. I've had fixed braces to fix my teeth-so glad I did it!
Botox will help your 11s. Again I've had Botox for years with no issues.
I would look into upping your skincare for under eye wrinkles. Do you use tretinoin? It's the best for wrinkles. Can get from Skin and Me or Dermatica.

Before Botox, do try Tret. I am 51 and have 0 wrinkles after using tret.

I’m no help, but that eyeshadow with your eye colour is beautiful!

Where can I buy this

What is tret?

Thanks @GentlyGentlyOhDear I'm thinking I might have to fork out for braces as it only becomes more apparent with age. Was it very expensive? Laser treatment sounds intriguing, does it just exfoliate though, isnt it the same as a chemical peel? Microneedling sounds terrifying!

Before Botox definitely consider retinol / tret
Also worth looking into treatments that encourage your skin to produce more collagen, like 70 Hyal or similar

@pharmachameleon I am breastfeeding at the moment so can't use Tretinoin as I understand it is retinol. I would have thought you couldn't use it under the eyes as too strong or is that not the case? Ooo how much were your fixed braces if you don't mind me asking? My jaws don't align so think I would need surgery too which I don't fancy!

@PenelopeTheShroudWeaver I've not heard of 70 Hyal but just googled and wow some amazing before and afters. See some comparisons with Profhilo (another new name to me!). I've seen some red a d blue light face masks too, is that really a thing?!

@Purplefoxes the light-based treatments don't have a lot of evidence behind them afaik

Oh….. where can you get tret plz

Be careful with tretinoin, it is a long game - you will likely peel and have irritation for the first while if/when you start using it.

Yes, it's great for skin texture and fine lines, but it takes a while for your skin to adjust to it, and you need to be regimented with your sunscreen everyday. There's a reason it's usually available on prescription, it's heavy duty stuff.

If you are in the UK, Skin & Me or Dermatica do a subscription service. If you start at a low dose it should minimise irritation, and use plenty of moisturiser.
It works by increasing cellular turnover (which slows down as we age) and over time with consistent use increases collagen production (which also slows as we age). Just a note, I do use it under my eyes now, after about 3 years of using it, but I definitely wouldn't have started with my under eye area for the first year or so. Unfortunately, as great as it is, it's not a quick fix.

OP you had a baby six months ago, you're probably exhausted and it's showing a bit. Plenty of water, as much sleep as you can get, some moisturiser with hyaluronic acid and some gentle acid exfoliation would be a good place to start. Then when you have stopped breastfeeding you could try introducing tretinoin slowly.

Are you wearing foundation in this pic? If so could it be caking and cracking around the natural lines in your skin and making them look worse than they are? Could try a different product ?

Tret won't help dynamic forehead lines. You'd have to use it for a long time too. It's the long game, Tretinoin.

Your under eye area is very lined and sunken for your age. I'd try rehydrating (drinking water and skincare routine, good regular sleep, then reassess the damage) and Botox first, for forehead and eyes, though don't have it underneath your eyes. I've seen too many bad examples of that.

Tear trough I wouldn't recommend either. It's so difficult to do well, and one of the worst places for migration etc, that many places won't offer it.

Try using The Ordinary products. Really good!!

I'd just go straight to Botox tbh. Do your research though. I only have mine from a highly qualified nurse.

Botox will make you feel great just book a consultation to find out more- they will show you before and after pics of ppl with similar lines to you. My advice is to get it done by a dentist as they are the best trained in face muscles- better than a nurse or doctor in my view. If you worry about stigma don't tell anyone just let the compliments roll in!

I would also try teeth whitening before braces if your teeth aren't that bad

I would get a really good skin care regime going. Maybe try skin & me? Be kind to yourself as you have a small baby! Wear good spf50 everyday, use a lighter foundation like a bb/cc cream, look on YouTube how to stop make up creasing.
Botox will sort the lines, good skin care will make keep you looking young for as long as possible

Hi OP,

Another 39 year old here - definitely felt as though there has been an explosion of fine lines in the last few months (argh!).

Products that I'm using at the moment and would recommend (although check if they're safe when breastfeeding):

Cerave hydrating cleanser
MooGoo vitamin c serum
Q&A warming gel mask (on forehead mainly, can be irritating to sensitive areas)

also regularly using spf and wearing sunglasses much more often (to stave off further wrinkles around my eyes). I've made an effort to up my water intake too.

I've had teeth whitening which has given me more confidence in my smile.

I have just found the moisturiser of my dreams - Wishful Honey Balm. I’m 48 with dry skin which used to include quite large patches of red and flaky psoriasis around both eyes. This is the only moisturiser that has ever impacted on those patches, they’ve basically disappeared and I also look considerably younger with smoother skin and much more ‘bounce’ to it. I can now go make up free with confidence. It also smells lovely. And what’s even better is that it’s a lot cheaper than the Elemis pro collagen I’d been using for over a decade before this. https://www.sephora.co.uk/p/Wishful-Honey-Balm-Moisturiser-55g?curr=GBPcurr=GBP&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIqb3Xp93kgAMVy-vtCh2pZAJcEAQYASABEgKqzvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Just applying this myself as an overnight mask (rather than just the 10 mins on the instructions) It’s super replenishing and another one that has been brilliant for the skin around my eyes particularly. I use it on top of the wishful honey balm for extra power as my skin is unbelievably dry.
https://www.cultbeauty.co.uk/pai-skincare-resurrection-girl-hydrating-mask-75ml/13496458.html?affil=thgppc&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIjIDc9O3kgAMVCu3tCh1QZQlvEAAYAiAAEgIAsfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

You look fine, and definitely more than fine for a 39 year-old with a 6-month old baby.

What age would you like to look and why?

Get braces. You can get ceramic ones. I paid 3200 total for top and bottom and it has transformed my face. I actually smile now. I also had Botox on my 11s. Don't be a numpty and forget to eat a proper lunch so that you faint afterwards.

I think you look lovely but your under eye area looks a bit dehydrated - more water and a decent eye cream would help.

I gave up on Botox as was starting to look a bit frozen but a small bit on your forehead would help those wrinkles.

Start taking care of your neck now! That to me is my most ageing feature and it seemed to happen quite suddenly, I’m now 58 and up to about 4 years ago I never even thought about it.

Sunscreen and moisturise like mad would be my advice for your neck.

I’ve tried Tret and couldn’t get past the peeling stage, gave it 3 months and gave up, switched to oils at night instead and seen a big improvement.

Agree your eyeshadow looks great - off to dig out a coppery bronze one I have that I think might be similar 😀