sudden rapid-aging of skin :(

[Anonymous]

I'm 31 and in the past two years I've noticed my face suddenly aging exponentially. I used to look quite young for my age (when I was 25 I remember someone I'd just met being shocked that I was married - she thought for sure I was still in high school), and I'd say I now look considerably older than my actual age (like mid to late 30's). I noticed an immediate decline in my skin after having a baby, and particularly while breastfeeding, but it never rebounded and is getting worse and worse. I'm guessing the main culprits are anxiety, too much sugar (in response to anxiety), not enough sleep (we have a 2 year old who's never been a good sleeper), and careless sunning in my youth catching up with me now. Skin is dull, some splotchy dry spots, some light melasma from pregnancy that never went away (looks like sun spots), lots of fine lines on my forehead, smile lines emerging around my mouth and between mouth and nose, and the very beginnings of crows feet.

I can't really change my circumstances much (except for the sugar, which I'm working on), and am wondering if anyone has any tips to help nip this rapid-aging in the bud before it gets too much worse? It's seriously bumming me out. I can't spend much $$$ on treatments, but am interested in hearing about anything that has helped anyone improve their skin and prevent further rapid-aging.

[Anonymous]

try retin-a

[Anonymous]

Relentless sunscreen and sunglass use outdoors.

[Anonymous]

Sun, liquor, drugs, poverty ages skin at twice the rate.

[Anonymous]

It's true that we seem to age in spurts. That was an unhappy discovery!

Agree with rec for using Retin-A. Get a prescription. Results are amazing.

[Anonymous]

Another rec for retin a. It takes several months to see the full effect but it does work. But insurance generally does not cover it unless it is for acne, and it is expensive.

[Anonymous]

Cut out sugar, avoid alcohol, use moisturizer with SPF every day, drinks lots of water, eat close to nature (lean meat/fish, fruit, veggies, nuts, beans), exercise regularly.

I would stay away from the botox and focus on making yourself healthy on the inside first - it will radiate outwards.

[Anonymous]

It's probably not as bad as you think - we tend to hyper-focus on things that others wouldn't even notice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's probably not as bad as you think - we tend to hyper-focus on things that others wouldn't even notice.

Absolutely, but she is smart to take care of her skin now before it becomes a bigger problem.

[Anonymous]

A lot of this is genetic and there's nothing you can do about that. (Sugar? I haven't heard that one and I am skeptical.)
Also, it happens in spurts so just because you're having this spurt now doesn't mean it will continue. And if you aren't getting enough sleep it will make things worse.

I think you need to reach a level of acceptance. We all age. Thats good, considering the alternative. And we all age differently. I think botox and fillers make women look older because they're so obvious.

[Anonymous]

OP here.

Retin-A sounds great, but I've read that it's really hard on dry skin, which mine tends towards. Can anyone with dry skin speak to how it was for you? I'm also wondering about the cost - I don't have acne, so presumably would be paying the uninsured cost. Probably would not be an option right now, but maybe in a year or so when I'm back working full time.

I don't know why it never occurred to me that aging occurs in spurts. I always imagined it to be a somewhat linear process. This has been a pretty major spurt though. :/

I do agree about acceptance of aging. I really don't mind looking my age, and genetics are probably not on my side (neither of my parents looks at all young for their age), but it just seems like so much so fast. I don't think anyone wants to look older than they are. I have no interest in botox, but I'm definitely up for topical treatments and dietary changes or supplements to optimize what I've got.

My diet and sleep have both been pretty rough since having a baby, and to me those seem like the biggest culprits. I'm actually a good bit slimmer than before I had a baby, so it's not the quantity of food, but probably the quality. Exercise has also been on the back burner. I guess just taking care of myself generally needs to be reprioritized. I'm wearing all of these bad habits on my face.

My moisturizer does contain sunscreen, but I only apply it once in the morning, so I doubt it's doing much good during the day. How exactly does one apply sunscreen over makeup, though?

[Anonymous]

Pay out of pocket for Retin A. It is worth the results! I use it for acne but it has the added bonus of clearing away fine lines and sun spots. It makes your skin appear brighter too. You have to use it for a good 3 months minimum to see results. Start using it in the spring so it won't be do drying (it is very drying esp in the winter).

[Anonymous]

If your moisturizer contains sunscreen thats enough. It should be a high enough level to last all day. I like the Peter Thomas Roth facial moisturizer with SPF 30.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here.

Retin-A sounds great, but I've read that it's really hard on dry skin, which mine tends towards. Can anyone with dry skin speak to how it was for you? I'm also wondering about the cost - I don't have acne, so presumably would be paying the uninsured cost. Probably would not be an option right now, but maybe in a year or so when I'm back working full time.

I don't know why it never occurred to me that aging occurs in spurts. I always imagined it to be a somewhat linear process. This has been a pretty major spurt though. :/

I do agree about acceptance of aging. I really don't mind looking my age, and genetics are probably not on my side (neither of my parents looks at all young for their age), but it just seems like so much so fast. I don't think anyone wants to look older than they are. I have no interest in botox, but I'm definitely up for topical treatments and dietary changes or supplements to optimize what I've got.

My diet and sleep have both been pretty rough since having a baby, and to me those seem like the biggest culprits. I'm actually a good bit slimmer than before I had a baby, so it's not the quantity of food, but probably the quality. Exercise has also been on the back burner. I guess just taking care of myself generally needs to be reprioritized. I'm wearing all of these bad habits on my face.

My moisturizer does contain sunscreen, but I only apply it once in the morning, so I doubt it's doing much good during the day. How exactly does one apply sunscreen over makeup, though?

You can get liquid foundation w/SPF protection and that plus moisturizer with SPF protection should help a lot. I only use actual sunscreen at the beach or pool.

[Anonymous]

NP- does anyone know if Retin A would make rosacea worse? I am afraid to try.