<p>At home, when I am with my daughters, you can see my sags and wrinkles. But when I visit my folks in Florida, I’m slim and pretty enough to turn heads. ;-)</p>
<p>Okay, I was getting pretty depressed reading this. Remembering when I used to be bewildered when women would bemoan their weight problems… well, I get it now.</p>
<p>Then I got to the haggis sweats/baggy sweats and laughed out loud… the visual is indeed scary. Thanks for the laugh!</p>
<p>When I saw the title of this thread my first thought was “Holy crap! I’m losing my looks?” Hadn’t even thought about it…</p>
<p>MOWC- you are a runner, how do you use Retin A and still be outdoors so much? I thought you were supposed to avoid the sun when using Retin A?</p>
<p>5 am runs, I guess. :)</p>
<p>There is a website called Advanced Style. It features women in their 70, 80 & 90’s. They are FABULOUS. Most very fashion conscious, some VERY flamboyant some elegant. They are mostly slim and I always notice none of them ever has a double chin…</p>
<p>It’s nice to think that I’m too young for the Advanced Style website.</p>
<p>@EPTR, I used Retin-A cream on my face in my 20s. I had just a bit of acne and it worked well. My dermatologist said it was also preventing wrinkles, but I was in my 20s! What wrinkles? Anyway, my mom tried it and found it drying and she did not like it and quit.</p>
<p>Loving the women on that Advanced Style website. Thanks for the pointer to that site!</p>
<p>I don’t find myself worried about my face too much…there are a few wrinkles but I think I’m blessed with some good Mediterranean skin. My arms are pretty good - not Michelle Obama arms, but no sagging skin…</p>
<p>But…lately…its my LEGS that have me freaking out! I’ve never had thin legs, but lately they just look…loose, cellulosy (is that a word?!), PATHETIC! I’m not talking about the upper thighs but inches above the knee down to the ankles…yuck! I walk daily 30-40 mins but could step that up. Any suggestions?</p>
<p>My legs are my best feature, I think. I’m not athletic, but somehow, they look toned. As for the rest of by body…well, my eyesight’s not what it used to be so I can’t see what I’ve lost. Lol</p>
<p>Marlene, I’m heading over to Florida!!! :)</p>
<p>You can use Retin-A and be out in the sun, just use a good SPF sunscreen. The first few weeks can result in redness and dryness but after that your skin should settle down. (I get samples-- a perk of my job!)</p>
<p>imo, looking terrific and being attractive is not fighting Father Time. I optimize what nature gave me, use the tools that cosmetics and science make available to me, wear what makes me feel beautiful-- nothing wrong with that. I think that women who refuse to do anything (whether on principle or because they don’t know what their potential is) are like those clients of Stacy and Clinton on “What Not to Wear”-- they have no idea what looking great could do for them that has nothing to do with vanity!!</p>
<p>jaylynn - I completely agree with you.</p>
<p>Me, three! I enjoy looking my best and it helps me professionally. I am NOT high maintenance (well, maybe in terms of money I am…) I have really short hair and never have used a blow dryer or rollers. I like a “natural” look (but use makeup to get me there…). I think I do pretty well walking the line between too trendy and fun/stylish. If I get too “trendy”, my daughter reins me in! I get a lot of compliments at work and just out and about on my clothes, shoes (currently have a Tom’s fetish) and jewelry. It’s all fun.</p>
<p>I haven’t had a problem with sun and Retin-A. I normally run very early in the day, but I DO get a fair amount of sun exposure when I’m not locked up at work. I use sunscreen and moisturizer with sunscreen in it. I have been told several times that the best thing you can do for your skin (besides sunscreen) is Retin-A. I use it about every other night.</p>
<p>abasket…I’m right there with you on the wrinkly legs. From my knees down, they’re fine but north of the kneecaps, it looks like one of those desert scenes with rippling sand. I have lost weight over the last 18 months(gone from a size 16 to a 6) which seems to have contributed to the wrinkliness on the front of my thighs. I’ve had cellulite on the backs of my thighs for many years. Mom had it too…drat that DNA. I run 12 miles a week and have gained muscle in my thighs but it doesn’t help the wrinkles or cellulite…ugh. Oh well, lace up and jog on.</p>
<p>Dumb question, but do you need a prescription for Retin-A? You guys have sold me on it. I have very few wrinkles at this point, so I would like to minimize them as I go along!</p>
<p>PackMom, I’m afraid it takes more than 12 miles a week to make a difference. For me, it took about 25 to 30. Then my legs really DID look better, all around. I’m working my way back to that mileage. 16 or so this week.</p>
<p>You sort of need a prescription and it is generally NOT covered by insurance. It isn’t cheap, but you use a pea-sized portion at a time. The normal strengths are .05% and 0.1% I think. My dermatologist has a “skin care” branch of the practice where you can go and buy the Retin-A (once they have seen you and you are a patient) from them without a “real” prescription. It’s cheaper than the pharmacy. You can also buy it in Mexico. :)</p>
<p>It is very normal to have some redness and peeling when you first start to use it. I would start with the .05% and do every other day. You can use your regular night cream over it. Just let the Retin-A dry and absorb before you do.</p>
<p>You can buy anything in Mexico.</p>
<p>Retinol is a milder otc form of a retinoid. Not as good by a long shot, but less pricy and no Rx needed. Look for it in Roc, Neutrogena and other brands. But if you get an Rx for retin-A (several brands available), you can maximize your use by not using much and using it every two to three days to make it more economical.</p>
<p>Be careful! I experienced a LOT of redness and peeling when I tried a sample. I’m sure it works great but didn’t expect as drastic a reaction.</p>