36f, decided to start taking my skincare seriously a few months ago & wanted to share my results! I’m truly blown away & never thought my skin would look like this. I think i was super dehydrated before.

In the last month I’ve done 2 microneedling sessions with VAMP 4 weeks apart, & I also added azelaic acid once a week. I plan to build up to more azelaic per week but my skin was super sensitive to it the first few times when I tried to do it daily. I’ve also been using tretinoin for the last 3 months for preventative anti-aging but I hadn’t seen major results until i added the microneedling/azelaic acid.

My routine:

AM
Splash face with warm water
Azelaic acid 15% (only once a week)
Illiyoon Ceramide Ato Concentrate Cream
Elta MD tinted sunscreen 46 SPF

PM
Neutrogena Hydroboost Fragrance Free Cleanser (wash for 1 minute, wait 15 min to dry down)
Medicube PDRN Multi Balm under my eyes
Tretinoin .025% cream (3 times a week, never on the same day as azelaic acid, wait 15 min to dry down)
Illiyoon Ceramide Ato Concentrate Cream

Before pics are 2021. Afters are 2026. My skin has come a LONG way over the last 5 years. I’m now in maintenance with my electrolysis hair removal (1-2 visits per year for brief touch ups). I am almost 39, cis female with PCOS and have had a beard from it since I was 15. I got laser in my 20s without knowing the risks of getting it on your face, and it made the hair come back 10x worse, and spread further across my face and down my neck (Paradoxical Hypertrichosis). After living with it for another 15 years, I finally could start electrolysis and it saved my skin…and honestly, my life. The only thing I can compare this feeling to is somebody that was obese their whole life, lost a bunch of weight and now it’s excited to wear clothes and take care of their body. That’s what I’m like now with the skincare. Now that the debilitating beard is mostly gone, I love my skin and I’m enjoying taking care of it. If you are getting electrolysis, please keep in mind that it takes TIME. Your schedule, your session frequency and length, your hair density, the phase of hair growth at the time of the session, all these things add up but KEEP GOING AND THE RESULTS WILL COME. The sunlight at the end of the tunnel will come, and soon you’ll be FREE, standing with it shining brightly on your entire face and for once YOU WONT HAVE ANXIETY OVER IT BC THE BEARD IS GONE! So many times I wanted to just say F THIS and stop going. But that’s like getting pissed you didn’t lose 50lbs in a month, and giving up. It doesn’t work that way, it needs time! I have my skilled Electrologist and my own perseverance to thank for what feels like a new, 2nd life. I am a shameless, transparent, open book so please ask ANY questions if you need help, guidance or encouragement!

Pic 1 is before minoxidil. Pic 2 is September after minoxidil gains. I started The Ordinary's Lash Serum on August 14. Photo 3 is September 1, after my first lash lift and tint. Photo 4 is October 20, after 2+ months of TO lash serum 2x daily to my lash and brows. Lash lifts were both performed by the same tech with the same products.

I've started paying more attention to my lashes this year. I first noticed I had significant gains from minoxidil, which inspired me to get a lash lift and try a lash serum. I wanted a serum without postglandins, and TO lash serum's price was right. One bottle of it lasted me two months used 2x daily my lash and brows. For about $7.50 a month, I'm very happy with my lash gains!

Edited to add: oral minoxidil, 2.5mg 2x daily! It's also quite affordable, under $10/month I believe. Makes my nails grow better and improves my blood pressure too. Oh yeah, and it's also helped reverse my hair thinning, which is why I got on it originally

my first time getting micro needling and I have a couple of questions

1. ⁠Is this the amount of redness normal?
   
2. ⁠Am I able to go to work like this? I made this appointment last minute (which I probably shouldn’t have) without researching the post care thats needed to heal the skin. I have work at 3pm tomorrow which is a little bit before the 24hr mark since I got the procedure done at around 6:30pm today. I can’t call out of work unfortunately.
   
3. ⁠Would it be risky to wear a regular face mask to work?

Wow, I just saw this photo taken of me and I am appalled at the wrinkles/lines. I'm 35 and have a 7 month old and 3 year old. I'm also nursing and dehydrated about 80% of the time. Prior to children was a scuba dive instructor so I spent a lot of time in the sun, much without sunscreen.

Is there anything I can do about these giant lines in my cheek/eyes?! Getting older is not for the weak.

So my eye skin really does look better when I use a thick eye cream but then I get milia. When I use gel/light application/moisturizer as eye cream, my eye area looks dehydrated. I can't seem to find a happy medium and would love to hear what has worked.

My derm had me work up from .025 to .05 tretinoin over the last six months and somewhere around month 5 my skin gave out. Stopped retinol 2 weeks ago thinking itd bounce back fast and it hasnt.

I know I need actual repair before I even think about another active again but half the socalled gentle moisturizers Ive tried still have someacid hiding three ingredients down the list. What got your barrier back again after retinol made it worse?

Hi all! This is my current skincare routine/rotation:

AM

Anua heartleaf + BHA foaming cleanser (I’ve been using it for a while and like that it doesn’t make my skin break out with how sensitive my skin can be)

Dermalogica hyaluronic ceramic mist

Tirtir milk skin toner

Dermalogica pro-collagen banking serum (also new)

Dermalogica active moisturizer prebiotic moisture complex (was using this more in the summer since it’s lightweight)

Dermalogica stabilizing repair cream (just bought this and trying it out for the first time tonight in preparation of the colder drier months)

I alternate between
Shiseido benefiance eye cream
And
Dermalogica multivitamin power firm eye cream

Elta MD UV Clear tinted sunscreen

PM

Banila Cleansing Balm

Dermalogica daily microfoliant (just got this and may do an every other day cleansing with this)

Anua heartleaf + BHA foaming cleanser (I’ve been using it for a while and like that it doesn’t make my skin break out with how sensitive my skin can be)

Dermalogica hyaluronic ceramic mist

Tirtir milk skin toner

Dermalogica pro-collagen banking serum (also new)

Dermalogica active moisturizer prebiotic moisture complex (was using this more in the summer since it’s lightweight)

Dermalogica stabilizing repair cream (just bought this and trying it out for the first time tonight in preparation of the colder drier months)

I alternate between:
Shiseido benefiance eye cream
And
Dermalogica multivitamin power firm eye cream

Now all of this being said, I find during the day after putting on my tinted sunscreen that my skin just feels dry and tight all day. Almost slightly peeling or flaking if I rub my face. Am I missing anything in my routine that I should be incorporating or overusing certain products I could do without?

So I’ve been having this big old dent/gash looking thing on my forehead for a year 1/2 maybe more but now it’s very noticeable in different light situations muscle, the skin around the dent in the dent feels kind of rough I would say compared to the rest of the forehead

I just had an IPL treatment for sunspots on my face. THE PAIN! It hurt so much that I almost asked them to stop halfway through my face. After the treatment, my face felt intensely hot for hours.

I was told that the treatment wouldn’t be very painful. However, I have a pretty high pain tolerance.

Does the pain get better with subsequent sessions, or does it get worse? Has anyone else experienced this much pain?

Hi everyone! Long time listener, first time caller. I am looking for thoughts on my current skin care routine. I am 35 and preparing for my wedding in fall 2027 so want my skin to be as flawless as possible. My major concern at this time is crows feet around my eyes.

My daily routine, morning and night:
•La Roche-Posay Toleriane Purifying Foaming Cleanser
•BYOMA Hydrating Milky Toner
•Good Molecules Hyaluronic Acid Serum (purchased •La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Pure Hyaluronic Acid to try after Good Molecules is empty)
•Tatcha The Dewy Milk Moisturizer
•Elta MD sunscreen (morning only)

Other (not daily):
•Peter Thomas Roth FIRMx Exfoliating Peeling Gel, using about once every 2 weeks but not consistently
•I have recently purchased the Under Eye Moisturizer from Trader Joe’s but haven’t added it daily yet
•I have a red light mask that I’ve been using for 10 minutes every few days

I like that my routine is simple but am excited to hear any advice that this group may have. Thanks in advance :)

Hey guys

Would really appreciate any direction on what creams would help reduce scarring and fixing skintone. Got 3 scars on the forehead that just won't go away. Please suggest ointments or treatments that will show meaningful results. Thanks!

I have 4 year old filler that puffed up previous acne scarring. Lately it has been getting worse and I think it either migrated more or possibly dissolved partially, leaving the scar tissue looking more lumpy. A plastic surgeon did a tiny drop of dissolver and it did nothing. I have an appointment friday at another place that uses ultrasound. But im worried that because it is 4 years old it may not be dissolvable. Has anyone dissolved very old filler?

I got botox in masseret, mandible,DAO and neck platysmal for lifting effect and now i have jowls, narrow face, saggy skin. (i am 36)

i got botox in end of august and i hate everything about it.

i am very desperate because i want my face back, so mostly in wont bounce back or it will?
i read very different stories and want to hear more of them.

i already chewing gum because i dont know what to do.
mostly botox for me holds only less than 3 months.

First picture without makeup, second picture is with makeup. I have had this issue for over 10 years and I’m finally fed up with it. What can I do to make these less obvious?

Hi all,

I’ve been using Cerave retinol resurfacing serum for a few years now and looking to move up to another retinol. What would people recommend for oily acne prone skin? Please note - I’m based in the UK. Thanks!

I wear sunscreen, I moisturize, I wash.

I see these jowls and I just wanna cry =(

As more weight comes off, more jowls show up.

Help =(

I started on Tret back in July and have since developed dry skin around my eyes (under eyes and eyelid). I’m using Cerave eye repair cream but it doesn’t seem to be getting better. When I apply my concealer it is so flakey because of the dry skin. Will this ever repair itself? How can I speed up the healing process? I’ve already stopped tret bc I’m not seeing results and it’s not with the dry skin around my eyes

Hello gorgeous :)

I am looking for miraculous (or good) eye cream recommendations. I am using... None.

What I'm looking for: a cream that will help properly moisturize and brighten the area, and a cream that will help with fine wrinkles.

Maybe those are two separate creams and I should use one in the morning and one at night? Would love to hear what's worked for you!

For context, I'm 31 and I use vitamin C, azelaic acid and sunscreen in the morning, tretinoin and moisturizer at night. Only sunscreen and moisturizer touch my eye region. I don't have bad dark circles, but minor wrinkling and puffing.

Hello, I’ve been struggling with these small stubborn bumps that seem to be constant on my forehead for months. I first noticed them in July after a week spent in California where I assume sweating and a change in water quality caused them. At the time I honestly did no skincare besides face wash and lotion. The bumps motivated me to start up a skincare routine again which has definitely helped reduce them but not gotten rid of them.

Since early August I’ve been relatively consistent about my skincare routine. I cycle an exfoliating toner Day 1, Retinol Day 2, and just lotion day 3. I wear sunscreen nearly every day. Exact items I use and my problem area pictured. Advice would be greatly appreciated.

I am just wondering if there are any products anyone would recommend to help the appearance of creepy skin (i know its temporary). They sell so many of them but i dont know if i have ever heard of any of them working for anyone.

I had a SkinLaundry Collagen laser treatment today. 5 passes. I also have a microneeling session booked for Saturday (my first). Do I need to push it back? if I'm honest I think of Skin Laundry as being ineffective and only go when there is an offer. But I don;t want to push my luck. Thanks for any advice.

First of all, I’m genuinely happy for everyone who’s had great results and is pleased with their BBL and Moxi treatments!

I had three rounds of BBL and Moxi and will cancel my 4th. The entire experience was professional, and I trusted the person performing my treatments. Unfortunately, I just never achieved the results I was hoping for. After the “coffee grounds” cleared, I would break out, and what I didn’t realise at the time was that I was actually aggravating my melasma, which I hadn’t known I was susceptible to.

Now, I’m left with crescent-shaped patches of melasma on my upper cheeks, just below my eyes, as well as darker pigmentation across my cheeks. I know it will take time to address (going to try Anua Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4%), so for now, I’m trying to embrace my skin as it is.

My main takeaway is to understand your skin type and any underlying pigmentation concerns before committing to treatment, and to make sure you’re aware of the potential side effects. I think because of how my skin looked initially, melasma didn’t seem like a potential concern, which is why it wasn’t something I anticipated. What works beautifully for one person may not work the same way for someone else. All the best with our 30 year plus skin journey!

Hello all,

I'm looking into getting microneedling done for maintenance purposes. Just had some quick questions.

1) am I better off doing it myself or booking at a med spa?? (If I go to a med spa I can only afford one treatment maybe once a year)

2) how often should I be microneedling?

3) if I opt to do it myself what are the best brands and serums to include in this routine?

Any advice on this would be great, I want to start incorporating it into my routine but I don't want to mess up my skin!!

For reference, I have very pale skin. I use alot of skin barrier supporting ingredients on my face which helped heal adult acne a couple years ago, but I would say my skin is still sensitive. I have tried including retinalhyde 0.05% in my routine but It tends to make my skin very red the next day so I had to stop using.