# Doper Ladies - help me with my (new) wrinkles **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 30, 2012, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doper-ladies-help-me-with-my-new-wrinkles/642596 "2012-11-30T18:46:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![PandaBear77](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/edb3f5/32.png) [@PandaBear77](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PandaBear77)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2012, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doper-ladies-help-me-with-my-new-wrinkles/642596/1 "2012-11-30T18:46:29Z")
So I had weight loss surgery this summer. I’m about 5 1/2 months postop and have lost about 83 lbs. I weigh about 30 lbs less now than I did when I graduated from high school. Still a long way to go, of course, but it’s turning out to be one of the smartest moves I ever made. Except … I’m getting wrinkles. I’m 35 so I know it was bound to happen eventually however I’m told it’s pretty common with big weight loss. I have always looked much younger than my age, mostly due to genetics, also because I stay away from the sun. I still look younger than 35, but my mouth now has laugh lines, I have a vertical crease in between my eyes (my job is very cerebral and I furrow my brow when I’m thinking) and lines are showing up on my forehead that weren’t there before my surgery. And underneath my eyes? Ugh. More lines. I know I probably sound vain but there’s truly a striking difference between my face then and now. So … it’s time to get serious about skin care, I guess. I don’t care if I eventually do look my age as long as I look a good 35, or 40, etc. Botox is out of the question - I can’t afford it. What I need is a kickass firming moisturizer that can either plump up these wrinkles and make them less visible or, failing that, keep me from developing more of them. Or at least slow their development. I can’t afford Botox or plastic surgery but I’m willing to splurge on something topical if it’ll work. So what do you use, or what have you seen other people use/swear by? ---
**Author:** ![Alice\_The\_Goon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Alice\_The\_Goon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alice_The_Goon)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2012, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doper-ladies-help-me-with-my-new-wrinkles/642596/2 "2012-11-30T18:54:58Z")
There’s really not that much you can do, except get Botox or fillers. The one topical thing you could try is retinol, and you may need a prescription for a strength that will be effective. It does speed up turnover of cells and promote collagen growth. Will it make enough of a difference to really be noticeable? Probably not. ---
**Author:** ![DiosaBellissima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@DiosaBellissima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiosaBellissima)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2012, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doper-ladies-help-me-with-my-new-wrinkles/642596/3 "2012-11-30T19:10:54Z")
You might want to speak to a dermatologist about microdermabraision or chemical peels. Chemical peels especially have some of the most amazingly dramatic results on the people I’ve seen in person. The chemical peel would also help even out any discoloration and acne scars, which is a bonus. I’m 26, but I get facials every couple of months with a series of treatments. I get Dermasweep, which is sort of like microdermabraision, but not at all (it’s brushes instead of diamonds or whatever they use)-- very exfoliating. Then I get a hydrating facial with stuff to even the tone of my skin and promote collagen production. The last thing I do is this light they offer, which I was certain was just some nonsense quackery. Basically, you sit under this yellow light for 20 minutes, and it’s supposed to promote collagen, etc etc. After I did it, I was hooked-- seriously, all the little lines around my mouth and eyes were gone. So, my point is, maybe start with the lower level stuff, then work up to the microdermabraision if need be. But a dermatologist will be able to advise you on your best options. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2012, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doper-ladies-help-me-with-my-new-wrinkles/642596/4 "2012-11-30T20:06:32Z")
Well, I find cucumber extract to be good for eye wrinkliness. But, you’re 35. It has to happen eventually. You might try the radical option of… accepting that you’re getting older. Besides, I like wrinkles. Congratulations, by the way. Sounds like a tremendous accomplishment. ---
**Author:** ![DiosaBellissima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@DiosaBellissima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiosaBellissima)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2012, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doper-ladies-help-me-with-my-new-wrinkles/642596/5 "2012-11-30T20:14:22Z")
> [@olivesmarch4th](#): > > But, you’re 35. It has to happen eventually. You might try the radical option of… accepting that you’re getting older. I suspect it’s a little more than regular aging in her case. Fat in your face = a youthful face. Losing a bunch of weight is going to “age” anybody pretty substantially in that sense, so I totally understand wanting to find the best way to counteract that. ---
**Author:** ![Kaio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c68b51/32.png) [@Kaio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kaio)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2012, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doper-ladies-help-me-with-my-new-wrinkles/642596/6 "2012-11-30T20:33:43Z")
I’d guess that part of it is that the skin hasn’t yet had a chance to “rebound” from the weight loss. There are limits to that, of course – stretch the skin long enough and you will get new cell growth along with elastic stretch, plus you lose elasticity with age – but time, along with really taking care of your skin to promote elasticity, may help at least somewhat. If you’re still losing, it will likely be some time (months, at least) after you’re at a stable weight before your skin rebounds as much as it’s going to. After that, you’ll probably have to either live with it, or surgically remove the excess skin. Eating enough healthy fats will help your skin, along with biotin and niacin (B vitamins), vitamin E, and A. Be careful not to overdose on the fat-soluble vitamins. Also, moisturize, at least once a day, preferably twice (morning and night), more often if your face feels dry or tight. I tend to think plant-based oils/butters work better than things like baby oil or vaseline. You can get bottles of almond oil, shea butter, coconut oil, cocoa butter, or similar, from health food stores, and just rub a small amount into your face. ---
**Author:** ![Maastricht](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a88e57/32.png) [@Maastricht](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maastricht)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2012, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doper-ladies-help-me-with-my-new-wrinkles/642596/7 "2012-11-30T21:41:23Z")
I had a rather gaunt face the first year after weight loss, too. It became a bit better after a 1,5 - 2 years. Don’t splurge on a facial creme. Such creams may prevent damage (mostly by the sunscreen, and a few active incredients like retinol) and plump your skin up a little bit. A teensy bit. But they can’t repair what you describe. No cream can, even if they advertise themselves as “firming” or anti age" “anti wrinkle”. And no, pricier cream is not better then expensive stuff. Instead, spend money on better hair cuts. Go to a stylist, \*get advised and follow the advice. \* Another good investment is going to a color and style stylist for men and get advised on what color type you are. Then, when you start buying clothes for your new body, you will buy them in colors that flatter your skin tone and make your face look a whole lot better. ---
**Author:** ![alice\_in\_wonderland](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alice_in_wonderland/32/176_2.png) [@alice\_in\_wonderland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alice_in_wonderland)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2012, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doper-ladies-help-me-with-my-new-wrinkles/642596/8 "2012-11-30T22:43:10Z")
Creams won’t do jack for the wrinkles you’re describing and they’re very expansive. Take the $$ that you would spen on the creams and get some Botox and restalyn - I know you said you can’t afford it, but shop around - it can be a lot cheaper than you probably think. ---
**Author:** ![Sparky\_the\_Wonder\_Spirit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@Sparky\_the\_Wonder\_Spirit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sparky_the_Wonder_Spirit)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2012, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doper-ladies-help-me-with-my-new-wrinkles/642596/9 "2012-11-30T23:01:53Z")
> [@](#): > > You might pick up something, and it will suggest to you that it will take away wrinkles. That isn’t going to happen. The top layer of your skin is dead, and protects the juicy stuff underneath. You can’t make the dead skin cells do anything at all, aside from swell up a tiny bit with moisturizer (which is just going to make you have nice, pretty wrinkles.) Nothing is going to penetrate the upper layer of your skin and make it do anything aside from what it is made to do-- keep microorganisms out of your body, make hair, and make face grease. Your skin doesn’t care what you look like, it is not going to adopt new functions like going into retrograde so it can regenerate the skin of a 20 year old. > … > Let’s all band together and start being hardasses about this stuff, yeah? If it is promising to do anything besides taking care of the skin you have, don’t believe it. It’s not going to happen. There isn’t a cream or lotion or facewash in the world that is going to change what you already have. If there were, everybody would be smooth and perfect and beautiful, and nobody would ever visit the plastic surgeon for anything at all. There would be homeless plastic surgeons on the street with signs that said OUT OF WORK, PLEASE HELP!! EVERYONE JUST BOUGHT A TUBE OF CREAM FROM MACY’S, AND NOW NONE OF THEM HAVE ANY WRINKLES OR CELLULITE AND I HAVE NO USEFUL JOB SKILLS. Source: [Magic Isn’t Real](http://www.stuffiputonmyself.com/2012/08/magic-isnt-real.html) ---
**Author:** ![snuffleupagus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e495f1/32.png) [@snuffleupagus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snuffleupagus)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2012, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doper-ladies-help-me-with-my-new-wrinkles/642596/10 "2012-12-01T00:48:35Z")
Retinol (Retin-A) is good, also a sonic facial cleansing brush like Clarisonic has been shown to help with fine lines and skin texture. Definitely use sunscreen, always. If you have deep creases, botox is not terribly expensive. Not so good for fine lines and crows feet, but if you have a deep crease between your brows, or horizontal forehead lines it works wonders. About $200 per area, and lasts 4-6 months.