Wrinkles & Lines on the Face
Archived Q&A and Reviews
Facelift alternatives for sun damage?
May 2009
I spent most of my teen years frying my pale skin at Southern California beaches, and now - 30+ years later - am paying for it. Any ideas on decreasing wrinkles, short of a facelift? anon
Check out Paula's Choice cosmetics available from Paula Begoun on cosmeticscop.com. She has wonderful information about all the different skincare products, including analyzing all the ingredients. She tells you what works and what doesn't. She has her own line of completely unscented products with all the ingredients explained, but still recommends other company's products, as well. For wrinkles, she recommends alpha or beta hydroxy (she'll explain which for what kind of skin) and good moisturizers. I have tried many products over the years, including Olay and lots of natural products. I love Alba CoQ10 moisturizers, BUT I have had more obvious results with Paula's Choice in just a month. It's nice to know what and why you're using! Joan
I grew up in southern california and spent all my time at the beach. At about age 40 I started using Retin A (tretinoin) on my skin on a regular basis and my skin looks great. I hardly have any wrinkles. My dermatologist recommended it- Retin A is a prescription and costs about $60. I know it seems like a lot, but it lasts forever. I buy about two tubes a year. You can also get it filled at Costco. It can dry out your face a bit at first so just use it every other day or every few days until your skin gets used to it. You should use very little, not slather it on. Also, you might start out at a lower strength. wrinkle free-mostly
For a few years there I had regular microdermabrasion treatments at a dermatologist's office. It was fantastic. I got compliments on my skin all the time and I feel it turned back the clock by about 5 years. The treatments softened age lines, refined my pores, tightened my skin, and lightened age spots. I used some prescription-only lightening stuff on my age spots, too, which helped. Our income has been reduced enough that I can't splurge on such things anymore, unfortunately. But when I can afford it, microdermabrasion is the at the top of my list.
Under-eye wrinkles
Feb 2006
The wrinkles under my eyes seem to be more pronounced than ever, and I'm beginning to get a complex. I feel incredibly ''young'' and want to look as good as I feel. I would like any advice on how my wrinkles could be treated (dermabrasion, botox...) as well as possible costs, amount of pain, length of healing process, etc. Thanks for your insight. anon
hi go to dr. kathleen welsh in Sf 415-668-4956 she is hard to get into but is great andf will give you a skin care program or do the botox whatever she does not take Alot of insurance but gives you all the forms to send in you need to get on retina probaly mixed with Obagi skin care. hope this helps. I am 38 no wrinkles 2 kids and have been working with kathleen for 3 years hope this helps anon
Obaji has helped me. I get this from Dr. Elizabeth Lee. anon
Pucker lines above lip
April 2004
I am 43 years old and have really pronounced lines above my lip. It looks like I've been a smoker all my life and yet I have never smoked. They are making me look and feel really old! My lipstick always looks terrible because my lips are very thin and it bleeds into the lines. Is there anything short of surgery that can minimize these? I am not interested in collagen or anything that wil alter my looks other than to get rid of the lines! Any wonder creams or outpatient procedures that would help? Thanks! anonymous
I have dealt with the same lip lines as well as my sister and we have never smoked. I feel for you because I HATE them and they make me feel old and ugly! I had injections of Restylane into my lips and they did look better; fuller and, therefore, the lines were not so noticeable. Restylane is the newest thing and better then collagen, no allergic reaction to rest for. The lines were not completely taken away and I think for that one would have to laser the whole face. The Restylane last for 6 to 9 months. Dr. Andrew Barnett's office does this. He has an office in S.F. and Walnut Creek. Good luck and I'll be looking for anything new also. anon
I recommend trying this great product by Benefit cosmetics(on 4th St. in Berkeley or at most department store cosmetic sections) called ''De-groovie''. It is this soft waxy stuff you apply along the perimeter of your lips & keeps your lipstick from bleeding. It is wonderful stuff! I am a RED lipstick girl & this really keeps my lipstick from bleeding into those fine lines. Another product I use is called Sealed with a Kiss. I found it at Longs & you can apply this under your lipstick to prevent bleeding. Both products are not expensive & the Benefit make-up artists are really great- they probably have some good ideas too. anon