Wrinkled and Crepey Skin after Chemo

Your post reminded me of myself😄 Funny, during chemo my skin was smooth and almost glowing, but afterwards, i felt like i looked 10 years older too. Part of it is the lack of estrogen, esp once they put you on tamoxifen or anastrazole or whatever. I started taking collagen supplements, hair,skin, and nails supplements. Began using RetinA ,a prescription wrinkle cream.plus any new skin treatments I would find out about. Also, did you lose weight during chemo? I lost 15-20lbs, and was way underweight. Some of the creepy, wrinkly skin improved when I regained weight. I look much better now ,almost back to pre cancer treatments, so don't despair! Try the supplements, I think they work, but takes time💗

Dolly don't despair. I am in agreement with with CaliKelly. Give it some time and be open to trying new things. I had never lifted weights, but the severe atrophy/crepey post chemo skin forced me to and I'm seeing very good results. I'm 58, my arms look like when I was 40. I also take Biotin, Collagen supplements. Good luck with your choices.

I'm in the same boat. Used to look much younger than my age. Now I look like I've aged twenty years in the last two years. Very depressing.

I even had to have eyelid surgery because chemotherapy caused them to droop so much they were interfering with my peripheral vision. Most people are in their 70's or 80's when they need the surgery. I was 60.

Don't know what to do about it. I'm in an industry where women's looks really do matter. But I can't afford a facelift ☹☹

Good luck. Hope things get better for you.

Trish

Retin A!!! Ask your Detmatologist for a RX that can be filled at a compounding pharmacy and it is much cheaper, like $35 instead of $180.

Retin A is definetly a long term treatment and it does get worse before it gets better, if you're going to get any tightening effects it will take several months at least but it has for sure helped with the crepiness around my eyes and most definetly given my eyes a slight lift. That happened quicker for me than most, that usually takes a year or more. Most people want an quick fix and stop before the good results happen or they over use the product. It's a low and slow process for sure but there are ways for most to use it and have the benefits with little negative skin reactions.

Having said all of that, it's hard to keep up with what chemo and all of the meds that came with it have done as well as what the hormone blockers are still doing, it's insult to injury and a side of BC that most have no idea of. I work in the beauty industry and was on the younger side(ish) when diagnosed and it's hard to get back some of what I've lost with an audience of clients.

I'm glad we've got this forum to support one another and give as well as take advice:)

I definitely have aged a lot. People used to always think I was at least 10 years younger than I was. Not now.

The skin on my neck is especially old looking. It was a tiny bit of a problem at times before and now it really bothers me. And my eyes look smaller or something.

It's a combination of chemo, lack of Estrogen, and plain old aging. Add in stress, weight loss, and lack of exercise and it's a recipe for disaster!

Interesting about the supplements. I may try some of those. Any info on particular brands or amounts?

I was/am so passionate about this issue, as well as the toxic ingredients in so many skin care products, I actually started a website in between my original dx and re-dx, to share the products I found that really made a difference. Living with mbc makes skin care even more critical, since we are constantly on one regimen or another. www.healingfind.com

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Cariadarboone, I see this is your only post and you have no diagnosis and info listed. It would be helpful if we could see exactly what treatments you had so we could compare what might work differently for each of us. Otherwise, I might just seem like you’re on here to sell your products.

Calikelly, I love this thread as well. I was researching the “thread lift” I while back and am optimistic that it can be a great option once the procedure is practiced for a while and perfected. I watched a lot of YouTube videos of it being done and it can look really great, and as with anything else, sometimes not so great. The pricing seems steep for how long it lasts though, I think because it non invasive and you pay a premium for that. Seems like a great option though:)

I just started using Trilane intensive repair anti aging moisturizer. I've been using their hyaluronic serum, so thought I'd try the moisturizer too. I really like it! Very moisturizing, my skin looks kind of "dewy" when I wake up. Supposed to be all natural. Only been using it a couple of weeks, it is a very nice one to use over the Retin A

CaliKelly, it’s so nice when you find something that works.

I use products from Dermalogica and Bioelements, i change it up a bit the days after I use my retinA, I only use it 2-3 days a week and am working my way up. Dermalogica has a exfoliate that is awesome to remove those little flakes that can happen when using RetinA, Multivitamin Thermafoliant, it’s pricey but it takes so very little that I feel like this tube will last at least 6 months or more. I don’t sell this product, I’m just a fan lol

Here are the links. This is the one I used to take, but you might want to do a search, they have various strengths and formulas.

https://www.puritan.com/beauty-supplements-018/pph...

I also took collagen

https://www.puritan.com/health-beauty-070/hydrolyz...

And I forgot to mention, I also used grape seed oil a lot in salads, for the resveratrol content.

Getting a lot of good info here! Thanks ladies💗 I will be trying many of these suggestions, why not? Can't hurt😃

Dollyreed, it took me a bit to figure out how to navigate this site and enter my info too. I also hate the 20 min wait to apply the RetinA,I sit it on my nightstand and hopefully don’t fall asleep before I apply it lol.

Lyn. Yes insurance paid for the entire surgery. I initially went in just for my right eye, because it was so obviously drooping. But once they examined me, they found that both eyes were affected. My peripheral vision was compromised. That's the key to having insurance pay for it, if you vision is compromised.

The surgery itself was super easy. Less than two hours, in and out and a very quick recovery. I would recommend going to a large eye center, preferably one affiliated with a larger hospital.They really know their stuff.

I went to USC Keck Eye center. They were great. I'd do it again in a heartbeat. Hope that helps. PM me if you need more info.

Trish