Will Femara age my face????

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!

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  

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.

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.

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

Patty, I agree with everything you said.

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.

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 !

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.