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Original poster

Can I reduce my wrinkles at 56? No idea where to start!

74 replies

JustwhenIthought · Yesterday 11:45

I’m 56 and have always liked my body - but not my face. I had bad acne in my teens and twenties and was self conscious about recessed chin, thin hair (helped by pregnancy and hrt)and sticky our ears (now fixed).

now in middle age the pressure is a bit less as the pressures of being young are over and I feel a bit more able to embrace my face.

but I have wrinkles and I don’t use anything except the Boots protect+perfect range.

i work, so I’d be glad even of a temporary boost for meetings.

what I’d like most is for my eyes to look more youthful but I’ll take all and any advice.

OP posts:
queenofthebongo · Yesterday 14:40

At least you have eyebrows. Be grateful! 😂

queenofthebongo · Yesterday 14:41

Johntaylorschin · Yesterday 14:27

Hey OP, I am 57 and having similar lines and sagging 🫠, I have been using rosehip oil for around 3 months, apply generously morning and evening, my skin is plumper and smoother and has a bit more glow to it, it’s only about £8 from Amazon, worth a try maybe.

Do you wear makeup over it in the mornings?

Original poster
JustwhenIthought · Yesterday 17:04

23 replies! Wow! Thank you!

settling down to read…..

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Original poster
JustwhenIthought · Yesterday 17:06

TheReplacement · Yesterday 11:55

I'm the same age as you OP and your lower face pic I would have put at someone early 40's.

So no advice just going to lurk here for tips.

Yes, weirdly, although it’s very unflattering the photo isn’t aging!

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Original poster
JustwhenIthought · Yesterday 17:08

Pplareasthickasshit · Yesterday 12:00

Nuclear option is face-lift, as its the only real solution that works.
Other than that, botox in forehead to soften lines. Fat grafting for under eye hollows. Gravity is coming to get us all though, so I'm afraid you really do have to come to terms with ageing. Even a face-lift can't restore a youthful look. Get some peels, tret and spf and don't look in the mirror!!

I don’t really know what a peel is and have never heard of tret.

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Original poster
JustwhenIthought · Yesterday 17:09

Disturbia81 · Yesterday 12:09

I was going to say the opposite, she looks a lot older than 50s like a smoker.

Edited
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Oh no!
I don’t smoke

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Original poster
JustwhenIthought · Yesterday 17:10

ItalianoSl · Yesterday 12:15

I think you’re fine and lovely as you are. I’m 56 and to hell with it!
But since you are not happy I’d like to suggest getting your brows tidied up a bit.

Thank you

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Leavemetonguetied · Yesterday 17:13

I genuinely think you just have to ooze inner poise and the outside layer no one cares about. Maggie Smith was very wrinkly but did she give a fuck? Not seemingly. I think I would work on other aspects of style rather than a lot of cosmetic procedures. Get your colours done, wear fabulous clothes.

Original poster
JustwhenIthought · Yesterday 17:14

Stormyrose · Yesterday 12:31

I’m afraid I also thought you looked older, I’m sorry op , I’m the same age and am in better condition, I’m not sure how else to phrase that, but I’ve had work, as well as a high focus on a healthy lifestyle

what I’ve done, I’ve had fillers round my nasio Labial folds and marionette lines, and minor Botox in two places in my forehead, so it still wrinkles, just less so.

my eyebrows are tidy and shaped , yours need doing, and my skin is in good condition, I use retinol, hyralonic acid and moisturiser. Yours looks dull, I’m sorry, your lips look dry and I’d wonder if you were maybe carrying some extra weight, or if you smoke,/drink/consume enough water/exercise.

it starts from within, so if your lifestyle isn’t healthy, I’d focus on that, get some good skin care, if you’re carrying extra weight loose it, if you drink, smoke etc reduce or stop and consume enough water and ensure a healthy diet,

you don’t need tweakments like me, but if you have a healthy lifestyle it shows.

Hi,
my skin has always looked dull even when I was very slim. I’m not overweight - certainly not obese.
ive always had dark circles - I think it’s my allergies (inside of nose chronically inflamed)

OP posts:
user987362547 · Yesterday 17:17

JustwhenIthought · Yesterday 17:14

Hi,
my skin has always looked dull even when I was very slim. I’m not overweight - certainly not obese.
ive always had dark circles - I think it’s my allergies (inside of nose chronically inflamed)

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Are your allergies being treated? If not, I'd start with that

Original poster
JustwhenIthought · Yesterday 17:18

Funandnames · Yesterday 13:05

Botox is great for a fast fix - I think it can knock 5 years off! I only tried it once and really want to do it again. It was so quick and just not a ‘big deal’ like I panicked it might be. Absolutely no one noticed but in the following months did receive lots more compliments than usual about looking well.

Outside of that, retinal (not retinol) or tretinoin plus SPF to protect against the sun (makes skin extra sensitive to it). It will take 3-6 months to see these benefits and you can go up in strength when your improvements plateau. These two approaches are not extreme but highly effective. Stay well hydrated as this helps keep skin superficially plump. Oh and sleep 8+ hours a night.

Very helpful, thank you

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Original poster
JustwhenIthought · Yesterday 17:21

Debbi62 · Yesterday 13:06

Can i ask , do you wear make up ? You would be amazed at how much better you can look with some make up. If you go into boots you can get advice and a free make over. I like No7, its a great price and looks good on mature skin

Hi Debbi,
no, I’ve never been able to get the hang of it.

my eyes water so mascara is a problem.
lipstick dries on the dry lips.
last time I had a makeover my husband said I looked like a clown.
my eyes, nose and lips are disproportionately big compared to my chin and my face is round.

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Original poster
JustwhenIthought · Yesterday 17:22

BrainCancerAwareness · Yesterday 13:13

I’d say you do look older around the bottom of the face but the forehead not too bad. Forget about water and smiling, in our fifties we need more than that. Retinol, decent skincare, makeup, Botox and a healthy lifestyle are all vital. For me anyway. Do you smoke? Drink to excess? These things shown on the face.

No smoking.
low drinking.

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Original poster
JustwhenIthought · Yesterday 17:25

Wordless · Yesterday 13:18

I’m not sure you took these photos from the most flattering angle, @JustwhenIthought!

Obviously wrinkles can be magicked away, but I’d be more inclined to concentrate on refining the structure and texture of your face and neck first.

Why not try maybe three months of professional facials with lots of massage and lymphatic drainage to move things around. You’ll probably see a softening of lines and reduction in any areas of puffiness. And then you can proceed from there.

And also have your eyebrows tinted and shaped. That alone would lift your expression.

Edited

This is interesting. I might ask my osteopath her view on this. She sometimes massages for my sinuses.

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Original poster
JustwhenIthought · Yesterday 17:27

For £8 why not!

OP posts:
Original poster
JustwhenIthought · Yesterday 17:29

user987362547 · Yesterday 17:17

Are your allergies being treated? If not, I'd start with that

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Yes but it’s hard…… am on a strong spray

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Johntaylorschin · Yesterday 17:47

queenofthebongo · Yesterday 14:41

Do you wear makeup over it in the mornings?

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Yes, I maybe use a bit more sparingly if I’m wearing make-up but it absorbs well and doesn’t leave skin oily.

user987362547 · Yesterday 17:49

JustwhenIthought · Yesterday 17:29

Yes but it’s hard…… am on a strong spray

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I don't have under eye circles in particular, but I've found that a Telfast 180 taken every day, year round, has almost completely eradicated my allergies. There are a few weeks a year when I need a spray on top of that, Might be worth a chat with your GP or allergist?

MrsE1 · Yesterday 17:53

Retinal & Botox :-)
boots no7 future renew is very good, but you need retinal as well.

Arran2024 · Yesterday 17:56

I would suggest you try the face creams from froyaorganics.com

I am older than you and found this brand recently - it is popular with older women. I love it. My skin feels and looks great.

MrsE1 · Yesterday 17:58

Stormyrose · Yesterday 13:14

Op, I don’t think you wish injectibles, but if you do go there, don’t just get Botox, it will look ridiculous. You need to do the whole face, or you end up with one half of your face rejuvenated and the other still as it was. The whole face needs to be treated holistically to ensure a balanced cohesive look.

when younger its fine, as the lower face hasn’t sagged, but when we age, then Botox alone looks bad . And if you do do Botox then you need a light touch and avoid a frozen shiny forehead,

sorry to add, if having Botox, also have fillers in lower face to ensure balance.

fillers can be done stand alone and are generally very very natural looking done right,

Edited

you can have Botox in the lower face (nephratti neck lift). It helps with the downturned mouth & refines the lower jaw.

I have had filler, but I am wary of filler, the horror stories of it travelling…..

Leavemetonguetied · Yesterday 17:59

Arran2024 · Yesterday 17:56

I would suggest you try the face creams from froyaorganics.com

I am older than you and found this brand recently - it is popular with older women. I love it. My skin feels and looks great.

Their ridiculous claims over social media, which must be unlawful, really put me off.

Allseeingallknowing · Yesterday 18:03

Arran2024 · Yesterday 17:56

I would suggest you try the face creams from froyaorganics.com

I am older than you and found this brand recently - it is popular with older women. I love it. My skin feels and looks great.

So pricey, though!

Original poster
JustwhenIthought · Yesterday 18:05

MrsE1 · Yesterday 17:58

you can have Botox in the lower face (nephratti neck lift). It helps with the downturned mouth & refines the lower jaw.

I have had filler, but I am wary of filler, the horror stories of it travelling…..

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Ooh, the idea of Botox on the Lower face is exciting. At the end of the day, the neck does not need to be expressive…..

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Original poster
JustwhenIthought · Yesterday 18:07

I would also like a recommendation for tinted moisturiser

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