Fighting the Facelift
How I unknowingly started this journey at the ripe old age of 14 years old…
I don’t care who you are but if you are a woman who says she doesn’t care about aging and looking older, you are not telling the whole truth (in my humble opinion which counts for little to nothing, lol). I think I had my first age crisis at the tender age of 26 years old. For me, it’s always the year after the milestone one, like 26 or 31, etc.
I say, ‘enjoy all the hoopla of the big one and save the pity party for the next one.’ But fortunately, none of my birthdays have been too monumentally depressing for me. However, I did start thinking about socking away $20 a week a few years ago in preparation for the potential of needing a facelift in the next 20 years or so. However, with all the advances in treatments and little to no recovery time procedures coming out what feels like daily, I hope I’ll just have a totally amazing nest egg to put toward something else.
There are so many things that age us that are inevitable… sun, stress, sleep deprivation, lack of exercise, unhealthy eating, alcohol, smoking, and just life in general. So why not do what we can to save our skin and of course our health. Health is Wealth people!!!!
I personally love and get excited about the potential of any new product, service, treatment, lasers, machines, etc. that can make my skin look better than ever. I would much rather deal with a week or less of easy healing rather than what I can only imagine is the completely horrific healing process after a facelift. Just the thought of that surgery makes my hands sweat, my stomach drop, and my face ache.
However, it turns out that I have already been doing something fast, easy, cost-effective, and super helpful for my skin before the idea of anti-aging had ever crossed my teen mind, and that little miracle in a tube is a retinol cream.
You may be wondering what exactly retinol is and what it does for your skin.
Retinol is a derivative of Vitamin A and can come in cream and serum forms. It can be purchased over-the-counter products as well as in its pure form via a prescription from your doctor. Retinols kind of do it all! They reduce fine lines and wrinkles by increasing the production of collagen. They also stimulate the production of new blood vessels in the skin which can improve skin color. If that isn’t enough bang for your buck other benefits are fading of age spots, softening of rough patches of skin, accelerated skin turnover, and help reduce blemishes. Think brighter and smoother skin!
For me personally, using a retinol isn’t just a preventive measure, but a medical necessity. I had the pleasure of growing up in Sunny South Florida and with that comes all the fun in the sun and the damage that comes with it, so while I started using a retinol cream as a teen to keep my face smooth and clear, as an adult it has become an important part of my skincare routine as I continue to fight any damage I did over the years. I was scared into shying away from the sun-worshipping in my mid-twenties when my first pre-cancerous cells were discovered on my nose.
But, here is why retinol cream is my #1 tried and true skin treatment I will never stop using ever!
The texture of the skin of people who use a retinol cream is unmistakable and unparalleled.
It’s proven effective.
I get it from my dermatologist who I trust completely.
So, I obviously have a dermatologist, I mean if you have read to this point, duh! The best thing about my doctor is that she only does medical dermatology, nothing cosmetic, which means when I go in for my appointment with her she is only worried about the health and safety of my skin, not what treatment, product, or procedure she can sell me. I appreciate this so freaking much! Plus, she’s a woman so she gets “it” and she gives me honest feedback so if I’m overdoing it with the Botox she tells me or if I’m considering some kind of treatment or laser or whatever it may be she will advise on the effectiveness in an honest way not because she is trying to sell me on it or change my mind to try something different that she does sell. I can’t begin to convey the value in this!
But, I digress. So recently I went to see my fabulous dermatologist and she mentioned that she could tell I hadn’t been using my retinol cream and asked why. Well, I was getting laser hair removal on my legs and couldn’t use it for the 10 days leading up to this. She told me that she has 80-year-old patients and she can tell from across the room as soon as she walks in the door that they are retinol users because of the tone and texture of their skin, it’s simply unparalleled. If this wasn’t an endorsement I don’t know what is.
So, do yourself a favor and get yourself a retinol cream. I can assure you that you won’t regret it! I personally go to a dermatologist for mine, but there are over-the-counter options that will be less expensive but also less effective. However, make sure you do all your research and consult your personal physician before beginning your new skincare routine.
So what’s the difference between a prescription and over the counter retinol?
Prescription retinols have a much higher concentration of the active ingredients
Prescription retinols are more effective
Over the counter retinols are less intense
Over the counter retinols work more gradually and are gentler on the skin
You are more likely to have side effects with a prescription retinol
Over the counter retinols are better for people with sensitive skin
Over the counter retinols are typically less expensive than prescription retinols because they are not always covered by insurance
A few helpful tips and tricks:
Always wear sunscreen and limit sun exposure (you do not want a chemical burn)
Do not use for 10 days prior to lasers (included but not limited to hair), skin treatments, and waxing
Try to schedule all your appointment that you can’t use retinol for around the same time frame so you can limit the amount of time without it
Start slowly with use only 1-2 times a week and work up from there
Do not use your retinol on the day prior to one you are planning to spend in the sun
Keep in mind the retinols are systemic which means it doesn’t matter if you only use it on your face, it will make all the skin on your body sensitive
This is my number one skin tip! It’s simple, effective, and readily available, plus with prescription and over the counter options there’s a formula to suit everyone needs and budgets.
Peace, Love, and Brighter Smoother Skin!
XX,
Jenna
