Will Femara age my face????

pamelahope

I know this question is so vain. I also realize as we are taking Femara we are as all getting older. I do have concerns about Femara aging my heart and brain and bones and feel sick. Of course, I don't want bc to return or worse.

Anyway, does anyone notice a difference in their skin. Like will I turn into an old lady overnight?

I wish I could just have surgery and chemo and be done with it...

Pam

peggy_j

I don't think you're being vain. I'm not on Femera, so I can't speak to that, but while we're waiting for members to post about your actual question, I'd thought I'd share some of the little beauty info that I know:

1) I've heard that the best thing you can do for your skin is to protect it from sun damage. i.e. get in the habit of putting on sunscreen every morning before you go out; you can get sun exposure sitting in a car, etc. On the advice of someone here, I now use MyChelle SPF 28. (no white residue)

2) in the Complementary forum, some members talk about their beauty products. I believe there was a thread called 'organic makeup.' Some members say they put coconut oil on their face (yes, the  stuff that may be sitting in your kitchen cupboard right now).  

Other people may have other ideas but FYI in case this helps. I'm on tamox. My skin looks a little older but...I'm also peri-menopausal so it could just be the natural aging process (whooeee) But I'm glad there are things to try. Good luck! Keep the hope, pamela

pamelahope

Thanks, Peggy! Pam

pupmom

I haven't noticed a bit of difference from Aromasin. Seriously, one does have to put things into perspective. I see so many people here actively looking for reasons to stop hormonal therapy, which is literally saving their lives. 

Back to skin care, I've always taken good care of my skin, and now at 63 most people think I am in my late 40's to early 50's. Healthy eating, staying out of the sun, drinking lots of water daily, and using good skin care products will help your skin much more than hormonals will hurt it.

Take care and don't sweat the small stuff!  

pamelahope

Thanks, YorkieMom, I actually haven't started yet. I have one more chemo. My plan is to try it. I am just scared. I dont mean to sound ungrateful for the treatment. Pam

proudtospin

not that you need an excuse but, I take aromasin and also have a facial before any tests such as mamo....also a massage and I do believe it helps.......with life

my onco always asks me if I am still doing the spa treatments so she must think they are good for me

pupmom

Pam, I didn't take it that way. Please don't be scared off by the rare SEs you read about here. People who don't have SEs, or who find them manageable, usually don't post. I have noticed this is true for radiation also. I haven't had trouble, or not much, with Aromasin or radiation. My Radiation Oncologist said my radiation experience is the norm for about 90% of women. You can do it!

SillyMama

The AI that I took was Arimidex. Yes, I did notice a change in my skin that year. I was certainly wistful about it, but not devastated. Still am.

However, most people STILL think I am WAY younger than I am. In the big picture, it hasn't really affected much... I don't really notice it much now...

But I understand your feelings of apprehension...  sending ((hugs))!

peggy_j

Good thinking, proudtospin, more spa Tx's for everyone!

yorkiemom, I want to have good skin. I do a lot of what you mentioned but I'm beginning to show signs of age. (maybe lack of sleep is a factor). Anyway, any recommendations on specific products? If you're not comfortable giving a public non-paid endorsement feel free to PM me. Thanks!!! We all wanna look younger  

pupmom

Well, I've used a lot over the years. Right now I'm using Image Skincare, which I get through my esthetician. Another line I really like is gloMinerals.

I have to say, that while I am told I look very young for my age, imo, my neck gives me away. I'm thinking about a neck lift, but want to wait until all memories of surgery are very dim. 

Racy

Ladies, I understand your concern. My research has indicated that menopause leads to a loss of collagen which keeps the skin taut and plump. This leads to sagging, thinning and wrinkles.



You need to increase collagen production and, of course, maintain moisture.



I recommend a consultation with a beauty therapist or salesperson in the cosmetics area of your pharmacy or department store.



There are many 'natural' brands of skin care products available. Body Shop has an organic range, also vitamin E and Wise Woman for mature skin. These do not contain parabens. Also check Nude by Nature organic makeup if that is available where you are.

exbrnxgrl

I take Arimidex and had gone through menopause before bc. I used to have very oily skin so I have few fine wrinkles. On Arimidex, my skin, all over my body, had become drier soI use coconut oil everywhere but my face. My face is still a bit oily, which is good at my age so now I moisturize like a regular person! I use Weleda Rose products.

Caryn

peggy_j

Thanks Yorkiemom. A few years ago I saw a dermatologist about something small and, while there, asked her advice about my facial skin. Her response was Rx retin-a. Not sure if that's a good idea...I filled the Rx but never used it.

Layla2525

I was taking Arimidex and my mouth filled up with ulcerated craters and started spreading out on my lips and they were peeling and then my tongue swoll up so I called my MO and couldnt get him on the phone so his nurse told me to use Biotene! Good night nurse,that toothpaste didnt stop my tongue from swelling so I stopped the Arimi and he would not give me anything else.

I went to the nurse patient coordinator who got me a new MO and the new MO put me on Femara which I am just finishing my first 30 days on it. It has made my face a little greasy so I am gonna use a mineral powder makeup to soak it up. I would ask the PS if you got reconstruction on the breasts cause my PS also does all kinds of botox and juvederm specials or you could just get one of those electro impulse light treatments which is non invasive. I have not taken the Femara long enough to know if I look older but with it making my face oily I doubt it will make me look older,maybe younger?

msmpatty

I've been on Femara for a little over two years and I don't think it made my skin look older.  I am careful to moisturize face and body.  I had a few aches when I first started but now I don't notice any SE's.  And with a little more attention to my calcium intake, my recent Dexa showed no change in my bone density.     Femara is spectacularly effective in keeping BC from returning. I was apprehensive when I first started taking it, now I'm dreading the day they tell me to stop.  Don't be afraid!  You can do it!

Patty

pamelahope

Patty, That is good to hear that you don't notice a difference in your skin. Great your side effects are minimal too.

I do use prescription retin A and I am pleased but was concerned about what 0 estrogen would do! Pam

Racy

Patty, I agree with everything you said.

Layla2525

MsPatty,thats wonderful! I am already taking Fosamax so hope my bones can withstand the Femara. I have not had anything significant in the way of side effects that I know of yet.

Hows the weather in San Diego? We are landing there in Oct and then off to visit relatives of fiance in MX and then back up to LA and possibly Napa Valley if we have time. We usually go to San Fran in July and need to pack a jacket but guessing we wont need one this time? We couldnt go to SF in July cause fiance spent all his money on his 2 worthless boats that dont work and then my surg was schdled and cancelled for the root canal and now finally had the implants and recon done Thur end of Aug. Hope I am well enough to enjoy my vacay

Mopsy

I think a very underrated way to protect your skin is to spend $300 getting after-market window film put on your car.  Get the UV blocking, with a light tint, including sun roof glass AND ALSO put the clear film on the front windshield.  The tint that the car-manufacturers use is just color and does not block UV rays.

Do NOT go with the cheap self-install stuff unless you like the look of bubbles all over your windows.  The professional film will last way longer than how long you own the car, and it keeps the interior from aging too.  I have done this with all of our cars for 15 years and have seen the difference in how the interior ages, especially if you don't garage them.  

When I am in a car without film I really notice the extra heat on my skin.  I also think it is important to do this for babies' and children's sun exposure.  We spend many hours in a car, and are getting as much sun as if we were outside, so protect yourself and keep the UV rays off of you and your family.

AlanAmster

My wife also prefers to use Arimidex.She told me that she didn't notice any side effect of it yet.

 We must aware about beauty products cancer (www.elishea.com/skin-care-cancer.html)

frustratedrg

After completing 10 years of hormonal therapy I see such a difference in my skin.  I've always had a very young appearance and now when I look in the mirror, I am very upset that my face is sagging and i have very deep wrinkles.  I've truly noticed this AFTER completing the 10 years, not as much during, which is surprising. I had a fantasy that after I was done with all of it (tamoxifen/femara) I would instantly look better.  It seems to have unfortunately worked in the opposite direction!!!! Very sad!!! I know I am now older than when I started, but I feel these meds definitely contributed !

LongBeachLady

Pamela, I too was unnerved by all the potential side effects. For me, there have been none. I finished chemo in mid-January, started Femera mid February, and walked the Los Angeles Marathon (50 pounds overweight) in mid March, I am telling you this to give you hope that you body may not be racked with pain. I wish other women didn't have to suffer so much to prevent a recurrence. Best wishes

ChiSandy

I use sunscreen if I go outside before 4 pm. (SPF 30 minimum, plus whatever is in my makeup—personally, I love BareMinerals Complexion Rescue, which I apply with a brush). I don't use a foundation that isn't at least SPF 25. If I am not wearing long sleeves, at least 45 (Alba Botanica), usually 50+ (LaRoche Posay Anthelios). To avoid breakouts & irritation, physical and not chemical. At night, I clean my face with either sensitive-skin makeup wipes (Ponds or Burt's Bees) or micellar water (Simple for sensitive skin). Then a resveratrol serum, followed by night cream (both by Andalou Naturals, which I buy at Whole Foods—unscented, and much cheaper than the HydroPeptide I bought after a spa facial last year in San Antonio). I asked my dermatologist what to use, and she said “whatever you're already using—if I didn't have your chart in front of me I'd never have guessed you were over 60." (I'm 66). I moisturize my body to prevent micro-breaks in the skin of my lymphedema (mild) arm.

Tonight a waitress came over to compliment me on my pink eyeglass frames, and I joked that treating glasses as costume jewelry beats the hell out of having to apply concealer. She replied that her mom was “in her 50s, like you" and had the same problems dealing with under-eye issues. She couldn't believe my age either.

Take common-sense care of your skin, stay out of the sun, and have fun with makeup & accessories. FWIW, I didn't notice any facial changes from 18 mos. on letrozole.