Help! How can I improve my skin?

[GoodNewsAndBadNews]

Almost overnight I have developed some very deep wrinkles. Is there actually anything I can do? I eat well, have been using retinol for the last six months (only a cheap brand). I use spf 50 every day, use a Boots moisturiser every night and daytime too. Would be happy for people to guess my age but I don’t think it would be flattering!

It's not your skin, unfortunately, that needs 'help'. The wrinkles aren't a surface issue. The muscle underneath has atrophied due to age so the skin has fallen. Loss of collagen and elastin as we age etc

Collagen is improved with vitamin C and zinc, avoid scammy collagen supplements.

And HRT perhaps?
I’m 57 and less wrinkled than my mum at this age maybe due to the those things.

Thank you - I eat pretty well but I can increase vitamin c and zinc

Unfortunately not - I’ve had breast cancer and HRT is not recommended.

I’m watching this with interest. I have the same issue
I’ve changed to a silk pillow case and do think that’s helped a little. I use all sorts of serums and face creams but mine I think is down to not drinking enough water. At the end of a day my skin looks worse.

I’m certainly interested to hear any suggestions.

I’d recommend changing up your skincare for more active ingredients. Basic skincare is great for cleaning and moisturising skin and will make it “look” better overall, but I’d be after skincare formulated to actually make biological changes at a deeper level.

Vitamin C is a great shout, look at brands like MediK8 and Skinceuticals. Or you could increase your % retinol.

Companies like Skin & Me or City Skin Clinic are great options for prescription skincare which will be stronger and more effective than anything you can buy off the shelf.

If you’re open to injectables they are also very effective and I’d be looking at skin boosters, polynucleotides or just some surface level microdermabrasion facials once a month could help.

Injectable skin boosters are really the only thing that will have a noticeable impact. Retinol will definitely help but that’s the long game.

I’ve recently started using Moringa oil. My skin definitely looks plumper and has more of a glow. Not sure if it will help much with lines to be honest but it certainly makes my skin look better and feel softer so will keep using it for now. Absolutely stinks so I only put it on at night 😷

One thing to consider is micro needling, I’m told done monthly (professionally) you will notice a difference. The difference isn’t quick, it’s 12-18 months down the line you see a difference.

I’m looking at profhilo (sp?) as I’ve read good things about that.

Is money an issue, if not I’d look at facial fillers for your cheekbones to raise the skin up and add volume back

The only thing that will work is filler. What you have is volume loss, cause by loss of collagen.
You would need cheek fillers.

Retinol etc may help a little but it would take years and would still not replace the loss of volume.

If you're on anti-estrogen drugs following cancer, this would contribute to loss of collagen.

Is the photo of your cheek?

Depending where you live, the cost of 1ml of filler is (with a reputable dr) around £250- £300+ a ml and you might need 4 mls each side.
It should last around 18 -24 months.

There are some before and after pics here. (This clinic charges £600 per ml.)

www.cosmeticskinclinic.com/treatments/dermal-fillers/?_gl=1p9szdr_upMQ.._gaMjExMzQ2NTcwMS4xNzg3NjUzNzY5_ga_Z0G2BDRM25*czE3ODc2NTM3NjkkbzEkZzEkdDE3ODc2NTM3NzEkajU4JGwwJGgw

Thank you for your comments. Yes, it’s my cheek. I will look at the options - was hoping for something not too expensive so think dermal fillers are out.

Delaying or deleting aging is expensive.

Yes I agree

They do last for around 2 years so £1000 over 2 years is worthwhile if you can stretch to it. It works out at less than £10 week.

I spend more than that going to the pictures each week!

There you are then!