Wrinkles!

[Elleanor]

I'm 44 had RA for two years and early menopause. It's not that I'm vain but lately my skin is looking like a wrinkly prune lol! I e tried many creams. Many people would say grow old gracefully but people also say you are as young as u feel and I look and feel old!! So, just wondering, has anyone tried juvaderm fillers ? Thank u xx

[kalel]

go on this site skincaretalk.com/ they have lots of great info about anti aging products etc.  Also make sure you eat plenty of veggies and fruit and drink lots of water and start doing some facial yoga.

[Hidden]

Elleanor  Maybe consider an appointment with dermatologist, specialising in cosmetic treatments. A private consultation cost me £80. I now use 3 products, not available over the counter - a facial wash with hyaluronic acid, a high concentration Vit. C moisturizer and an ointment which helps minimize fine lines. It was money well spent! I don't know how far you want to go, but there are injectables to plump the skin, such as Restalyne. Menopause can be a really difficult thing to cope with - it may be natural, but it sometimes feels like a horrible illness, for me at least. So, treat yourself to good skin care advice, and a bit of pampering.

[kalel in reply to Hidden]

aelfreda if the vit c serum works for you that is great but all I will say is a lot of vit c serum oxides very quickly and if you diy your own serums not only will they be a better concentration but they will wok better on the skin.  Natural aha products also work better for some people than vit c on the face.  Pleased to hear you have found something that works for you.  If you are suffering with ra it is often the inflammation in the body that can also make some people age quicker.

[DelicateInput]

Rather than dermal fillers (botox), try skin tightening.  It is done at the beauticians and is cheaper than botox.  I used to pay £70 for three half-hour sessions.  Also, recently, I've been trying crystal collagen gold face masks (off the internet).  

I also developed serious bags, which then lined, in my 40s following an early menopause.  A big culprit was drinking too much wine which dries out the skin and mouth, so unfortunately you need to limit your alcohol intake.  I've also noticed that alcohol, especially flat white wine, is very bad for RA as it makes the pain much worse for the next few days.  Champagne seems to be reasonably OK and I think it is for your skin as well as the alcohol evaporates quickly.

I used to have Guinot and CACI which, though they worked to an extent, were nowhere near as good as skin tightening and very expensive at £60/hour - and you needed the full hour for a much lesser effect than the skin tightening.  I daresay new products are being developed all the time.

[DelicateInput]

Forgot to add - I have six half-hour sessions of the skin tightening and this lasts around 18 months.

[Bessieboo1]

Hi, I am an ophthalmic nurse and also work with an occupational plastic surgeon who does lots of cosmetic work including surgery, botox and fillers. Botox and fillers both give excellent results for different problems but my advice would be to make sure you go to a consultant who is reputable as there are lots of people around who offer these treatments but have little experience and can cause long lasting problems. 

[kalel in reply to Bessieboo1]

just my opinion but the only reason why I would say be careful with botox and fillers and def don't do this without talking to your rheumy because the ingredients in botox etc and cause a lot of side effects especially if you are on ra meds.  We all need to do what is right for us but for me I would rather tell someone to start using retin a and gentle peels... as long as they know how to use them properly instead of using any of these fillers.  We all see these things differently but I am concerned about the toxic ingredients that can often be found in some of these injections.

[nomoreheels in reply to kalel]

If Elleanor is still taking MTX & HCQ it would seem there are no interactions. In fact I've been reading recently, due to neck problems, that botox is used successfully as a short term treatment for muscle spasm. That said she's considering hyaluronic acid type of filler but nevertheless as always best to check with Rheumy & as Bessieboo suggests seek a reputable provider.

[kalel in reply to nomoreheels]

the problem is botox is it is still seen as a toxic product in my opinion and there are many side effects to it.  As someone who has worked in the skin industry for many years all I would say is proceed with caution. Not everyone will get side effects to botox but you must talk to a skincare professional and dr before using this product.  Also if you want to have good skin and are suffering with ra well and you have a lot of inflammation going on this is why a lot of people will age before there time.

there are many studies now that show how botox can damage the brain etc.  There are pros and cons to all of these products but you need to do what is right for you personally I would look at other options before using this product but that is just me.

[nomoreheels in reply to kalel]

I wouldn't choose to have botox but if it helps my neck I shall consider it if offered once I understand the pro's & con's, as I always do. Your opinion as you say is yours, others may not agree.

[3LittleBirds2 in reply to nomoreheels]

Botox is used for s lot of medical conditions but obviously under medical supervision, I just don't think there's enough know yet about long term side effects especially  using it for cosmetic reasons.  Are the hyaluronic acid fillers supposedly safe for us RA'ers?  I'm not going to lie I've considering fillers and even booked an appointment which I cancelled in the end...I need more proof they are safe.

[kalel in reply to 3LittleBirds2]

Little birds your right it is used for medical conditions but there a lot of people have documented side effects from having botox injections like with any of these products there is a risk involved when we put these things in our body.  One thing that I have always said she if you want good skin heal your gut heat loads of plant foods and leafy greens and start doing facial excersise's.  Things like vit c serum, aha, retina a or even light at home chemical peels if used properly are much safer in comparison to using Botox.   I'm not trying to scare anyone off by the food but I've spent the last ten years studying all about this stuff but like I said above everyone needs to do what is right for them.  

[3LittleBirds2 in reply to kalel]

Hi Kalel...thanks for your reply!  My reply was originally directed at NMH, as I couldn't understand fully if she was saying that Hyaluronic acid fillers are safer for people with RA, yes I know I should check with my Rheumy but I just wanted some clarification on here as well if possible...there was a time I was considering them especially when you feel dreadful with this condition...but I'm torn as I really don't want to put any more poison in my body than I have to...that why BOTOX is a big no no for me unless it was for a medical complaint.

[kalel in reply to 3LittleBirds2]

little birds I am about to go out and have another busy next week but  I just wanted to say I know you were not replying to me but I just wanted to reply because honestly we don't need botox following a reputable facial exercise and putting correct products on the skin will fade wrinkles.  Have a good week laters.

[nomoreheels in reply to 3LittleBirds2]

Apols 3LB, I assumed as kalel responded to the question it wasn't intended for me, I get lost sometimes on longer posts & have been replied to when I know it wasn't meant for me! Anyhow confusion aside as far as I know hyaluronan injections (hyaluronic acid, a natural component of synvovial fluid) are used in OA to lubricate joints in order to give temporary pain relief. I don't think it's used so much in RD where there's likely to be inflammation. Given that hyaluronic acid is used with some frequency in easily available skin care products be they creams, gels, serums & other such potions I wouldn't have thought there are any interactions with meds but again best to check with your Rheumy. If you want my personal opinion if I was considering this type of treatment of the two my preference would be hyaluronic acid but that's me not you. For my neck maybe botox once I'm fully informed, but that's quite different to what you're considering.

Hope you're ok otherwise?

[3LittleBirds2 in reply to nomoreheels]

Hi NMH, thank you for replying and I agree it can get confusing,I wasn't sure if you'd got the comment so I was going to PM you later.  No..you'reright if I was going to have fillers it would be the hyaluronic acid variety...I may look into again in time once I'm sorted and my RA is under control...I always feel a bit guilty about asking my Rheumy about cosmetic issues though...seems vain even though it could give me s boost..who knows!! My infusion was cancelled on 22/4 when I got there as I was found to have an infection but I'd had NO symptoms...fingers crossed for 29/4 now.  I hope you and your husband are both ok and thanks again for the advice! 😊

[nomoreheels in reply to 3LittleBirds2]

No probs. Just to say when it comes the time do your homework & find someone who's reputable, even recommended.

Sorry to hear you couldn't have your infusion, hopefully it won't take too long to clear. It's seeming increasingly likely h will need another op, still waiting to discuss results of CT scan & hear what his surgeon's consultation with the cardio reconstructive surgeon resulted in. I'm ok, disease activity again but will hopefully be sorted with the addition of SSZ.

[chrissie53]

You can t beat Nivea q10 for face and cocoa butter for the body. I just slather it on. ,brilliant,,,why would anyone do botox ,,

[Elleanor]

Thank u everyone for replying

I've tried so many products over the years it's kind of desperation now lol! I've been reading up loads and think I would stay clear of Botox but the fillers seem a better bet. I will def check with my rheumy first tho. Plus id need to start saving!! It may be that I'm never brave enough to do it but the wrinkles have been dragging me down lately especially when someone guessing my age thought I was eight years older than I was lol!

Thank u again xx

[kalel in reply to Elleanor]

Elleanor even if you do decide to use botox I woud highly recommend using retin a, and diy vit c serum and look at either using instead of a vit c serum or gentle peels.  All the products will help fade wrinkles and there is loads of into about people who have faded wrinkles on the skin care talk site.  Good luck with everything.

[Simba1992]

Supplement with natural progesterone and Vit.B3 and drink water and eat a lot of fruits. You'll soon see the difference😊😊