How to undo all the damage and have nice skin in your late 40's?

[harrietpot]

I am going to be 45 this year and over the past few years my skin and face have aged quite a lot and in the past year it seems to be even worse.

I do and have always liked a drink at weekends, I'm still single and so going out has always been a big part of my social life and in my 20's that often meant hanging out in smoke filled clubs and bars. I was a sun bather into my 30's and that hasn't helped either. Now I am dealing with actual wrinkles, not just fine lines but deeper wrinkles round my eyes and mouth (lips are also thinner) and on my forehead. I have some facial sagging as well and my eye area is quiet bad and I know I will probably need surgery if I want to correct the protruding bags I have. I also have hyperpigmentation, sun spots that no longer fade away in the winter on my forehead and cheeks, I feel it makes my face look dirty. My skin also often looks sallow or even greyish and the texture has changed to so my pores are larger. I am also dealing with increase facial redness, thread veins and small red bumps or spots which I suspect could be rosacea as it seems worse after I've had alcohol.

I always wear full make up and so the past I was able to use a high coverage foundation to hide any skin issues but now I find that higher coverage foundations just settles into my wrinkles, lines, pores and looks awful.

One of friends who is 2 years older than me is still very fresh faced at 47 but she has never drank alcohol, or done any sun bathing and been a skincare devotee since her teens so was always diligent about things like cleansing properly and a using high factor spf daily. Her skin without make up (which she rarely wears) is very smooth, plump, even and clear, I can't see any fine lines on her face at all, not even round her eyes or lips.

Her skincare is pretty basic but she's been doing it since her teens and so its been all about prevention and I think not sunbathing, drinking or hanging out in pubs and clubs with all the second hand smoke is probably the main reason her skin still looks so great. However its too late for me to prevent all the damage I have to my face so I want to know how can I get skin more like her now? How do I undo all the damage?

I'm still dating and feel confident enough with my face on but once the make up comes off I feel really bad about myself. I do have some money to spend on this but no idea where to start with it all. Should I see a private cosmetic dermatologist? Should I go for a consolation at one of these skin clinics? I just don't know!

Put xxxxx's wherever you want. I can't see why it would affect anyone else.

I've heard great things about profilho

I've heard good things about profilho too.
I started taking collagen and I'm sure it's improved my skin. I'm 55. Took 3+ months to see an improvement.

@Rattai I have heard of this and it interests me but I wonder if I should have any laser etc done first? I probably need to go for a consultation of some kind but I need to do my own research first as I don't want to end up agreeing to some course of treatment I know nothing about!

@PinkyBlueMe That does sound good actually, I will look into that!

@PinkyBlueMe which collagen do you use? I’m keen to try

I’m mid 40s and agree to an extent that over the counter creams etc… are ok but won’t undo any major damage. I’m the same with red veins, wrinkles, etc… personally, I found IPL and BBL lasers on the face were brilliant for removing age spots & redness. Doesn’t get rid of everything but i feel ok without makeup. Also, Botox and fillers can really help although I’m much more conscious of filler now that it seems to ‘stay around’ and not dissolve naturally. I do however have some lip filler that I would do again in a heartbeat as it’s restored lost volume. You really have to research good places for the laser and cosmetic stuff and it’s not everyone’s cup of tea ( lots of strong opinions on MN) but for me personally I wouldn’t be without it. Botox every 4/6 months and laser IPL on face once a year

I use this one. It's a powder and lasts ages. Only on my second tub. I buy it from the local Costco. It's a lot cheaper than the others like Absolute or Forever Living but I'm sure it must do the same thing.

I also tried profhilo. It’s expensive, but painful and doesn’t work for everyone. It did work for me and I loved it although I’m now living in US and they don’t offer it here! Also, laser first then anything else like Botox as it can reduce the effectiveness apparently

@Shortyshortcake1 Thank you for that honest and detailed post, lots for me to consider there! I am a bit scared of filler for the same reason you mention, it hangs about apparently. I would use it to restore lost volume as you say though. With Profhilo, does that work like a filler and also stay in the body or is it different? Thanks for the advice on how to order treatments this is what I need to to know!

Like a PP I would watch the most recent video on YT by Angie on Hot and Flashy.
She is really sensible - sure she uses lots of products, but she explains why she uses each one and what it does and she really does her homework. I admit I don't follow most of her advice as I have extremely sensitive skin, but there is still stuff I can take from her videos and I like her apparent authenticity.

Profhilo works like a moisturizer from the inside out. It adds a glowy smoothness is how I’d describe it. I’ve heard anecdotally that it is noticeable for about half of people. It’s 10 injections (5 each side mirroring each other). It stings a little as it’s a type of good acid and it takes about a day to sink in. Gradually over weeks, you see a fullness. You need another set of injections around 4 weeks after the first (from memory) and top up every 6 months if you like it. Each set of injections was 500 quid but it was a very established place in London. I’m sure there are reputable places for cheaper too. Especially outside of London. Re:filler, I was super happy with lips l, cheeks and marionette lines. I would probably do it again - I’m just being cautious. You can always have them dissolved so it’s not irreversible (although I’m sure it’s a pain to do that. For me, I’m probably looking at a lower neck/face life in next 5 years to really undo major aging. Again, personal choice & i do keep up with all the latest cosmetic treatments/tweakments and think thars probably next on the list.

And sorry / profhilo doesn’t stay around - it’s an acid so very different. That might be something worth trying before filler to see if it works for you.

@Shortyshortcake1 Thanks for that info, sounds really interesting!

@PinkyBlueMe thank you

has anyone tried red light therapy? I’ve just recently purchased an at home LED mask to try

Wow you could be me! I could have written your post...bottle of wine every weekend, loved sunbathing, have rosacea, new lines and wrinkles, everything you said. I've been using Trinny London skincare range for a few months and honestly it's like my skin has gone back in time! Im so impressed with it all (I've used clarins restorative skincare, the purple clinique range etc but Trinny is by far had the most effect).

I used cleanser, exfoliator (one for morning and a stronger one at night), then serum (a daytime one and a night-time one) and then moisturiser. My skin is so soft, smooth, luminescent and the products dont make my skin go red when applied like others usually do. I also wear foundation concealer etc and it just looks so much better on my skin with the skincare routine behind it. I love the make-up too.

With the tret start on a very very low percentage or perhaps even with retinol first (and SPF 50 in daylight, including indoors, is crucial – you will cause irreparable DNA damage and accelerated aging if you use retinoids without).

Skin & Me start you on a very low dosage and combine with soothing ingredients like niacinimide to mitigate irritation.

Medik8 retinol always gets recommended a lot as a starter product.

That being said, retinoids do not suit everyone.

Another big thing you can do is exercise – regular resistance training & cardio over 6 months and longer has been shown to thicken the skin in older adults. It also aids perfusion and gets blood, oxygen and nutrients into the skin. You’ll glow immediately afterwards.

Apparently only the very strong ones work. There’s a Dr called Sophie Shotter who recommended one recently as one of the few that works, but it’s not cheap.

Think it was called Dermalux.

Eat well - reduce sugar
Collagen tablets/powder
Omega 3,6,9
La Roche Posay retinol to start
Medik8 1, then 3, then 6 when your skin is used to retinol
A little Botox

& exercise - including strength training x

& lots of water, goes without saying x

You can always have them dissolved so it’s not irreversible

‘Dissolver’ (hyaluronidase) is not to be used lightly – it can irreparably damage tissues and cause horrific systemic issues. One of the big reasons I would not get filler is fear of a vascular occlusion which would make use of dissolver a medical necessity. I first was made aware of the issues by a Radio 4 Woman’s Hour programme. There’s a large facebook group where you can read people’s stories: Botched fillers and hyaluronidase damage support group. If you do use it at least be informed of the risks.

I wear suncream every day under makeup. I don't mean moisturiser with SPF, I literally mean full suncream. I'd read somewhere that if you wear it everyday it will slow aging down as it's the rays of the sun that cuase aging and not the heat itself. Therefore, even in winter, any rays can age the skin.

@Soccermumamir yes to this, I wear it indoors too as you still get uv rays through windows

A little Botox + HRT

My face suddenly started aging at 45 out of nowhere (I thought catch up from years of sun & partying). But actually it was the start of perimenopause and the decrease of collagen in my skin. A small amount of Botox has held things at bay, and a really noticeable side effect of HRT has been better skin.