Skin treatments at 50 - where to start?!

[Gingerpear]

I am 50 and think I need to start sorting out my skin! I've never had any skin treatments and there are so many options out there, it's difficult to know where to start.

I have lost that youthful glow to my skin, and I have a bit of sun damage, some seborrhoeic keratoses, and fine lines especially under my eyes. My face just generally looks a bit saggy and dull.

I have seen people recommend so many different things - chemical peels, picotoning laser, other types of laser, skin botox, polynucleotides, LED light therapy, microneedling..... the list goes on!

Has anyone had any skin treatment that had great results where you saw an ongoing noticeable difference? They all look good but as they are all quite expensive, I want to make sure I go for the right one(s)!

I’m saving for CO2 laser, but am planning to get microneedling whilst I wait. I’ve seen some videos of people on TikTok and it seems to be pretty effective, but I’m keen to see other posters recommendations.

I’ve been having facials with LED and I’ve just started microneedling (which was a lot less painful than I expected!). I’m in my early 40s. I’m really happy with the results so far but it’s also coincided with me sorting out my at-home skincare regime. Do you have a good at-home skincare regime?

@user593 I don't actually have an at home skincare regime! I do wear a bit of make up most days, then remove it with Simple cleansing lotion, then use Simple moisturiser but that's it.

The LED facials and microneedling sound good (and that's good to hear the microneedling isn't too painful, I had been wondering about that!). Did you have anything in particular eg fine lines, sun damage etc that it has targeted or would you just say it looks better overall?

I've started having some treatments (am 53) - I started by finally getting all my skin tags and keratoses frozen off by a dermatologist, and he recommended someone to zap my broken veins and rosacea redness. So I've done that, and she offers Tixel which I've had on my forehead and round my eyes and I'm really pleased with the results so far as the crepiness round my eyes is vastly reduced. Very little downtime

@Gingerpear It looks better and brighter overall. I do have some fine lines and pigmentation which it has also helped improve (I think) but my beautician (who I have known for 10 years+ and really trust) said you need a minimum of three sessions to really see results. My plan is to have one session a month for three consecutive months and then go down to one session every three months.

If you’re thinking about investing in expensive treatments I would also really think about your at-home skincare regime. I’m seeing excellent results with Medik8 Tetra-C Advanced in the morning and Medik8 Crystal Retinol 3 at night (plus other products, but those are the ‘actives’ I’m using). My skin is better now in my 40s than it’s ever been.

I have a really good facial every 4 weeks, Botox about twice a year, I use a led mask at home daily and do my own microneedling. I wear SPD 50 every day of the year, very good skincare and NEVER sit in the sun. My skin, at 53, is very good.

Started doing treatments at 45 and have tried lots of different things. My underlying issues were Rosacea, pigmentation and lines.

Started with a course of peels, they are good to remove dead layers.My skin barrier needed work so I was advised to use Metacel from Skincuticles, expensive but so worth it. Was then put on antibiotics (3 weeks) for Rosacea and given a prescription cream (Skinoren). I use both creams every day. With an spf by day and retinoid (Alpharet) by night .

Once good skincare was in place I would book a course of 3 treatments per year,I usually book what’s on offer.

Micro needling is good but not enough for older skin imo.
Laser Genesis is gentle if your skin is sensitive but I didn’t see a great difference.
LaseMD is very good for pigment and definitely worth the money.
My dermatologist did an offer on CO2 laser and that was WOW but crazy swelling and downtime.
BBL heroic is this years treatment.
Ive had 2 with some LazeMD added around the mouth for lines.

Have Botox in June for a summer glow up.

I total I spend about €1,000 a year on my skin but it’s the best investment I’ve made.
I don’t have amazing skin but I’m noticing now at 50 that I’m ageing less than others. It’s a marathon not a sprint.

I agree with others that it’s a good to start with a skincare routine at home, and then supplement it with in office treatments.

Sunscreen, a retinol product and occasional chemical exfoliants should give your skin a boost, if used consistently.

I have just had Neogen plasma treatment on my eyes. I am still peeling but can see such a difference after 5 days. I have hooded eyelids and thought the only option was surgery. I will definitely consider having the rest of my face done.

Oh that's a good idea, I think I probably do need to go to a dermatologist to deal with my keratoses, and maybe they would then be able to give me some advice for the best treatment overall for my skin as well.

I hadn't heard of Tixel - I just looked it up and the before/after pictures look amazing!

@user593 That's great you are already seeing results and your skin looks brighter.

That's a good idea about the home skincare routine - I will look into those Medik8 products you have recommended!

@AsparagusSeason I've been looking into LED masks - they seem like a good option. I think there's been some research done that shows they do work!

@Gingerpear I’ve been thinking about getting the Current Body Seris 2 LED Mask. It’s expensive (£400 but there are a couple of 20% off codes floating around) but they give you a 60 day money back guarantee. If you decide it’s not working for you you only lose a 10% ‘restocking fee’ and £5 return shipping.

@ForFunGoose Thanks for all that info, that's really helpful. I'll look into those laser treatments. It's good to get recommendations as there are so many around to choose from. I've heard that you definitely need a lot of downtime after the Co2 Laser! 😄

@GinnyW I'd never heard of Neogen plasma either, but that sounds amazing! It's incredible how many skin treatments there are around nowadays. And it's good to hear from people that they do actually work and are worth investing in.

I’m 51 and my skin is the best it’s been for years. I use tret with azaelic acid daily and for me that’s key to keeping my rosacea at bay. It’s skin and me and costs about £20 pm. I use a cheap cleanser and moisturiser so it’s my one big spend on skincare. I use a cheap korean moisturiser and serum.

I’ve got a home led mask which works well but was a cheap one from Amazon and do my own microneedling with collagen and pdrn.

Every six months or so I have a skin booster, injected. Plenhyage works best for me though I’ve tried profhilo and another one. This is my biggest spend but the results are lasting.

The thing to remember OP, is that some of these non surgical treatments have significant downtime, go wrong, are expensive, requiring maintenance, top ups. Often there is very little discernible difference , and what effects there are don’t last all that long.

You need to use an spf50 every day under make up. Obviously not on days you never go out, but otherwise yes.

No good spending money on other things.

Don't rely on a moisturiser with spf or foundation.

Diet is also incredibly important.
You need good fats from olive oil, avocado, almonds etc.
No booze, hardly any sugar ( sugar causes inflammation in the skin and destroys collagen.)

Most damage is from UV rays so slap on the sunscreen!

Hi OP. For the concerns you're describing like dullness, sun damage, fine lines, and loss of firmness, start with a solid at-home routine with retinoids, vitamin C, and daily SPF because those address the underlying issues and make any professional treatments work better and last longer. That said, if you're set on treatments, chemical peels and microneedling tend to give the most noticeable results for texture and dullness because they actually trigger collagen remodeling, while lasers are great for pigmentation and sun damage but require more downtime and careful aftercare. Hope this helps!

For me, skin is everything. I've had some very nice compliments on my skin, so I have decided that is where I am spending the dosh. My skin is so good now I don't wear any makeup on my skin.

I have a facial every 6 weeks, but TBH that is more for the relaxation and self love. It helps a bit. To make a difference, I think an at home routine is best.

My starting point is Tret. I have been using skin and me since lockdown and it has made a massive difference.

I've used lots of different skin care, but at the moment I am using Medik8 day time, and Tret, then La Mer at night. I use the La Mer eye cream which I swear by.

I have an LED mask mask and a Nuface, but that has seriously lapsed in the last 6 months due to life getting in the way. I want to start using it again religiously as it did make a difference.

Stress, alcohol and a poor diet affect your skin. My stressful life over the past 6 months has had an impact, but taking care of my skin over the past week has already made a big difference.

@Gingerpear the down time for co2 is only 1-2 weeks max, depending on whether you have light or superficial. Light level is only 2-5 days. It’s only if you go for fully ablative CO2 under general anaesthetic that it’s a few weeks

I think consistency is the key. I have started looking after myself at age 51. It took empty nesting to give me the headspace to think about myself.

My changes are as follows (and I am seeing a difference)

Every morning I take:

Collagen
Good multivitamin
High dose vitamin D
Fish oil

Morning routine:

Rodial Vitamin C cleanser
ten minutes on foreo bear micro current device
Cosrx snail mucin
Rodial vitamin C skin souffle
Rodial bee venom eye cream
Nip n Fab Vitamin C serum
Nip n fab peptide finishing oil

Day 1 evening routine:

Rodial Vitamin C Cleanser
LED face mask (every other day)
Zelens Power D serum
Rodial bee venom eye cream
Medik8 Crystal retinal
revitalash

Day 2 evening routine:

Rodial Vitamin C Cleanser
Alpha H Liquid Gold
Zelens Power D serum
Emma Hardie Midas Touch cream
Rodial bee venom eye cream
revitalash

I also take magnesium at night and on a sunday night I do a sheet mask, do my nails and olaplex my hair.

I have baby botox twice a year.

Thank you everyone for all the great info and advice!

I am going to start wearing an SPF daily as I don't at the moment.

My diet is pretty good, lots of fruit and veg, healthy fats etc BUT I also eat too much chocolate, so I know I need to cut down on that!

Also I do often have two or three glasses of wine on Saturday night, and the next morning it does show on my face! I think I need to try to limit alcohol just to special occasions.

I have just ordered Medik8 Crystal Retinol 3 so I'm looking forward to trying that. And I think I am going to get an LED face mask.

I am going to go to a dermatologist to get the keratoses frozen off and I think I will ask her what other treatments she would specifically recommend for my skin.

Thanks again everyone for your help!

@Gingerpear I bought the CurrentBody Series2 LED Mask after this thread last night 🙈 I’m very curious but also a bit skeptical, so looking forward to trying it but very glad it’s got a 60-day money back guarantee!

Lol, oh no, sorry for being a bad influence! 😁All the things mentioned on this thread sound so tempting. I'm thinking I need to start a separate savings account for a "beauty budget" ! 🤣

Hope the LED mask is good. If you ever feel like updating with how you get on with it, I'd love to hear about it!