dorri
03-14-2005, 10:26 PM
I can't believe what is happening to my skin? I'm 3 years into menopause and this past year, my skin looks like it belongs to someone else. If I thought it was bad before, it is even worse now. Pores are getting larger, lines more prominant. No amount of moisture fills these lines in. What do you all use to restore the moisture and plumpness to your skin? Is this plumpness gone forever? I feel like sitting down and having a good cry!
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armadillo pie
03-14-2005, 10:50 PM
About the only area I am diligent about it my skin. I am not in menopause but perimenopause, so I do not know how much skin changes at menopause. But I am sorry that you are having such a hard time . There is hope for your skin.
My skin really looks great- smooth- clear- and not a lot of lines. But I have been very disciplined about it. It hasn't been difficult and the results are worth it. I truly feel it has to do with regular facials ( every 3-4 weeks). I go to a clinician and she does microdermabrasion and chemical peels. I also use several products morning and night to keep my skin moisturized. And I have learned to always wear sun screen- that was a lesson for me living in a warm sunny climate and spending time outdoors without sun protection. I have had sun spots on my chest and sun damge on my face, but you'd never know now looking at my skin now. I know microdermabrasion is good for enlarged pores. You can buy some very good over the counter products now that are cheaper then a clinician that do the same job. Go to the Beauty and Cosmetic health board on this site- there are women there who talked about the different products. Also I use a vitimin C serum during the day and at night a retinol serum, as well as a moisturizing sun screen. I keep my skin highly moisturized at all times. Both help with rebuilding collagen. It has become a daily habit with me and it has paid off.
I know you can restore you skin by following some daily skin care. Also never use any soap on your face, only a face wash. Don't give up- if you are willing to spend some extra time on you skin and nourish it with the right products , water, and food, you will see dramatic changes.
My skin really looks great- smooth- clear- and not a lot of lines. But I have been very disciplined about it. It hasn't been difficult and the results are worth it. I truly feel it has to do with regular facials ( every 3-4 weeks). I go to a clinician and she does microdermabrasion and chemical peels. I also use several products morning and night to keep my skin moisturized. And I have learned to always wear sun screen- that was a lesson for me living in a warm sunny climate and spending time outdoors without sun protection. I have had sun spots on my chest and sun damge on my face, but you'd never know now looking at my skin now. I know microdermabrasion is good for enlarged pores. You can buy some very good over the counter products now that are cheaper then a clinician that do the same job. Go to the Beauty and Cosmetic health board on this site- there are women there who talked about the different products. Also I use a vitimin C serum during the day and at night a retinol serum, as well as a moisturizing sun screen. I keep my skin highly moisturized at all times. Both help with rebuilding collagen. It has become a daily habit with me and it has paid off.
I know you can restore you skin by following some daily skin care. Also never use any soap on your face, only a face wash. Don't give up- if you are willing to spend some extra time on you skin and nourish it with the right products , water, and food, you will see dramatic changes.
dorri
03-14-2005, 11:20 PM
Armadillo, thank you for the encouraging post and advice. I think it's time I threw away the Ivory Bar. What do you use to cleanse your face? Will a cream cleanser not increase the pores even more? I will visit the Beauty and Cosmetic Board you recommended. Thanks again.
molly123
03-15-2005, 12:18 AM
Dorri,
By all means throw out your Ivory soap - that kind of soap is very drying to your skin. I use olive oil products. I've noticed a big difference - my skin is no longer dry - more radiant looking too. One is by DHC care - you can find it on their site. Kind of expensive. An equivalent and much cheaper that I found recently is Olivella Virgin Olive Oil Face Liquid soap. Then I use L'Occitane Daily Face SPF 15 Cream with Olive Oil, and their mask. I get these at their shop in my neighborhood but I'm sure you can find them online if you're interested.
I was using Olay products for a while too. I was using Olay Regenerating Serum, which made a difference too. You can get a free sample from their site.
I have fairly good skin - I don't lay in the sun at all (I use sunless tanning stuff), always use sun screen when I'm out too, don't have many lines or wrinkles. I'm told I look much younger than my age. I also don't smoke which ages your skin too. Oh, taking flaxseed oil by the tablespoon and in pill form, as well as Evening Primrose Oil and Vit E helps too.
Don't cry....your skin will get better. It's not a hopeless situation--you just got to find the right products to work for you.
molly
By all means throw out your Ivory soap - that kind of soap is very drying to your skin. I use olive oil products. I've noticed a big difference - my skin is no longer dry - more radiant looking too. One is by DHC care - you can find it on their site. Kind of expensive. An equivalent and much cheaper that I found recently is Olivella Virgin Olive Oil Face Liquid soap. Then I use L'Occitane Daily Face SPF 15 Cream with Olive Oil, and their mask. I get these at their shop in my neighborhood but I'm sure you can find them online if you're interested.
I was using Olay products for a while too. I was using Olay Regenerating Serum, which made a difference too. You can get a free sample from their site.
I have fairly good skin - I don't lay in the sun at all (I use sunless tanning stuff), always use sun screen when I'm out too, don't have many lines or wrinkles. I'm told I look much younger than my age. I also don't smoke which ages your skin too. Oh, taking flaxseed oil by the tablespoon and in pill form, as well as Evening Primrose Oil and Vit E helps too.
Don't cry....your skin will get better. It's not a hopeless situation--you just got to find the right products to work for you.
molly
dorri
03-15-2005, 12:36 AM
Molly, thanks. The one thing I know I need to do is to take a whole new approach to looking after my skin. The products I used before, just don't cut it anymore. I will look and see if I can find any olive oil products around here. I'm in Canada and many of the products that are sold in the US are unheard of here. Thanks again.
suncats
03-17-2005, 08:41 AM
Avon also has an olive oil cleanser that I got as a freebie and I like it a lot. It is probably reasonably priced, most of their stuff is. They also have tons of anti-aging products--like the Anew line.
I've always heard that Vitamin C topicals and retinols are good for the skin. Always wear sunscreen! Don't smoke. Drink lots of water. Eat a healthy balanced diet. Limit alcohol--it dehydrates the skin and can cause broken capillaries. Exercise is good too. Improves the blood circulation.
You also might consider seeing a dermatologist to at least get a Renova prescription. This is a higher strength of retinol than over the counter stuff.
I am considering buying the new Neutrogena microdermabrasion kit. It's about $25.
My mom had huge pores all over her face. I got them only on my nose, but I hate them. But I am diligent about skincare and I often get lots of compliments. Makeup helps camoflouge pores, and powder especially.
Your skin can get better. It might cost a bit, but if it really bothers you it will be worth it.
I've always heard that Vitamin C topicals and retinols are good for the skin. Always wear sunscreen! Don't smoke. Drink lots of water. Eat a healthy balanced diet. Limit alcohol--it dehydrates the skin and can cause broken capillaries. Exercise is good too. Improves the blood circulation.
You also might consider seeing a dermatologist to at least get a Renova prescription. This is a higher strength of retinol than over the counter stuff.
I am considering buying the new Neutrogena microdermabrasion kit. It's about $25.
My mom had huge pores all over her face. I got them only on my nose, but I hate them. But I am diligent about skincare and I often get lots of compliments. Makeup helps camoflouge pores, and powder especially.
Your skin can get better. It might cost a bit, but if it really bothers you it will be worth it.
dorri
03-17-2005, 03:36 PM
suncats, thanks for all the great advice. I used 0.1% tretinion cream around my crows feet, but stopped when I started to lose pigmentation directly under the eye area. It was quite a sizable white patch. I've been using a sunscreen for years, at first separately when I hardly used no additional moisturizers. Now, that I do use the additional moisture, what do I put on first, the sunscreen and the moisturizer over top, or visa versa? I will look into the olive oil cleanser. Thanks
suncats
03-17-2005, 10:48 PM
I wouldn't worry too much about which moisturizer to put on first. As long as you use the sunscreen in the morning is the important thing.
A few other thoughts:
You might consider a heavier creme for night use before bed. Olay, Loreal, Avon--all have these.
Tretinoin is hard for some to handle. Did you talk to the doctor about the problems you were having? Some people initially have oversensitive skin at first. You can cut back the dose, like using every other day. A lot of people give up on it, but the symptoms usually go away after your skin gets used to it(4-8 weeks). Also helps to apply 20 minutes after washing your face, so the pores are less open and it doesn't absorb so quickly.
I also learned to layer moisturizer, especially in cold dry weather. Use your moisture like you normally do and wait 15 minutes. Then apply more, even the same stuff. This was a huge help to me when my skin was so dry it was flaking.
I haven't hit full blown menopause yet, so I don't always understand the whole hormone level thing. My understanding is estrogen is what helps keep skin youthful. Are you a candidate for hormone replacement--even a low level dose? You have to be careful with hormones at a certain age, especially if you are at risk for heart disease.
Hope you find some solutions that work for you. It's often trial and error, but keep trying.
A few other thoughts:
You might consider a heavier creme for night use before bed. Olay, Loreal, Avon--all have these.
Tretinoin is hard for some to handle. Did you talk to the doctor about the problems you were having? Some people initially have oversensitive skin at first. You can cut back the dose, like using every other day. A lot of people give up on it, but the symptoms usually go away after your skin gets used to it(4-8 weeks). Also helps to apply 20 minutes after washing your face, so the pores are less open and it doesn't absorb so quickly.
I also learned to layer moisturizer, especially in cold dry weather. Use your moisture like you normally do and wait 15 minutes. Then apply more, even the same stuff. This was a huge help to me when my skin was so dry it was flaking.
I haven't hit full blown menopause yet, so I don't always understand the whole hormone level thing. My understanding is estrogen is what helps keep skin youthful. Are you a candidate for hormone replacement--even a low level dose? You have to be careful with hormones at a certain age, especially if you are at risk for heart disease.
Hope you find some solutions that work for you. It's often trial and error, but keep trying.
dorri
03-18-2005, 12:10 AM
Thanks for the reply. This bleaching of my skin was not of the normal irritation that tretinion cream generally causes. I used it for 2+ years and had very little irritation. I started getting a white area void of colour in the skin under my my lower eye area. It's been 3 years since I discontinued it and I still have some of this white area under my eye.
Hormones, oh how I wish? I was on oral estrogen but my tryglycerides shot up so the doctor took me off. Lately I've been reading of putting estrogen cream on the face and that apparently does help to plump up wrinkles, but some forms of estrogen cream go through out the system regardless of where it is applied. I'm still researching this and may ask my doctor about it. :) Thanks again.
Hormones, oh how I wish? I was on oral estrogen but my tryglycerides shot up so the doctor took me off. Lately I've been reading of putting estrogen cream on the face and that apparently does help to plump up wrinkles, but some forms of estrogen cream go through out the system regardless of where it is applied. I'm still researching this and may ask my doctor about it. :) Thanks again.
armadillo pie
03-18-2005, 12:30 AM
I've hear women also put progesterone cream on their face and it makes their skin soft.
Why don't you go to a professional to examine your skin if you can afford it- at least one time and then you can work from there.
We can all tell you what works for us but your skin is your skin and is different from ours. We all seem to have different ways of treating our skin. You may feel better having a professional or dermatologist work with you. For me it feels like I am taking care of myself when I do that.
Why don't you go to a professional to examine your skin if you can afford it- at least one time and then you can work from there.
We can all tell you what works for us but your skin is your skin and is different from ours. We all seem to have different ways of treating our skin. You may feel better having a professional or dermatologist work with you. For me it feels like I am taking care of myself when I do that.