Skin changes

[kathy bottoms]

After almost 7 months of hrt my skin is lightening a bit, and muscle mass has changed a lot, but I'm a little concerned.  Although muscle changes will take a long time I had hoped to see a greater change in my skin.  And had also hoped a number of scars caused by years of cuts and scrapes wouldn't be as noticeable.  But they're becoming large puckered lines in my skin. 

Then yesterday I received four cuts when a couple branches fell from a tree I was trimming.  The cuts are in a real visible part of my forearm, and they're deffinitely deep enough for scars.  There's nothing that can be done about it now, and I'll live with the new marks.  But do these scars lighten over the years as skin continues to lighten?  And how long does it take for a girls skin to look real good?  I guess it's possible my skin will never be as lightly toned as my older sisters, but I continue to hope.

Kathy

[A]

The visibility of scars is independent of gender. The reason you have a lot of them isn't because you had testosterone, but because you were trimming trees. If anything, a thinner skin from HRT will give you more scars because some events will injure it but wouldn't have injured the thicker skin you used to have. If you want them gone, you'll have to turn to medical treatments, with a dermatologist, for example. Apart from that, BHA exfoliators can help, but won't do miracles.

[kathy bottoms]

...The reason you have a lot of them isn't because you had testosterone, but because you were trimming trees. ...   

Made me laugh.  And, yes I'll try an exfoliator.  But how long does it take for skin to fully lighten to the point where it's pretty much finished? 

Of course there's not much hope for getting rid of sun damage, and it looks like scars will stay around. 

K

[Penny Gurl]

If you have deep cuts make sure to clean them then put neosporin on them.  It will actually help them heal with less of a scar.  I had a very noticeable scar on my left arm and what I started to do was to switch my thinner lotion out with Palmers lotion.  Before I started using it the scar was always red, stood out and looked horrible, now with continued use it has almost faded to the point of blending in with the rest of the skin.  I had the same experience with scars on my legs, and it also diminished some stretch marks I had.  Granted this was not overnight, but has taken several months, but it has helped a lot.

[kathy bottoms]

Penny:

I've got tons of stretch marks also.  Do you still use the Palmers? And do stretch marks blend in a little better, or actually smooth and fade?

K

[Penny Gurl]

I use Palmers every day, I even have a small tube i carry in my bag.  The original reason why i tried it was because it is suggested for pregnant women to help reduce or eliminate stretch marks.  I had horrible stretch marks from high school when I ran Cross Country and my legs were HUGE because of the crazy amount of running.  Anyway they never seemed to go away, then around when I started HRT I knew that I wanted to have better skin and legs and decided to give that brand lotion a try since my other stuff did pretty much next to nothing.  After time the marks have lessened, still there but getting better.  It has shea and coco butter and a little bit goes a long way so start with a small amount and work it in.  Do not glob it on like the thin cheap lotions, this stuff is thick.  I use it everywhere, and I've noticed an evening of skin tone in general and noticeably smoother and softer skin. I even had a fiend of mine comment over the summer how pretty my skin was looking.  Granted YMMV but it's been working for me.

[kathy bottoms]

I use Palmers every day, I even have a small tube i carry in my bag.  The original reason why i Granted YMMV but it's been working for me.

I've spent an hour or so reading some skin care information and checking a few cheap places to buy BHA's and Palmers.  The costs aren't bad so I'll do some experimenting. 

Thanks girls. 

Kathy

[Penny Gurl]

The cost really isn't bad.  Especially when you can go into a store like Bath and Body works and spend close to twenty dollars on a smaller bottle that really only smells nice.

[JoanneB]

I've always been thin skinned as well as a bleeder. I cannot say I've noticed any difference at all during my constant stream of "blood sacrafices" towards a job well done pre to post HRT.

[A]

Stretch marks will never go away, sadly, but their appearance can improve with time and proper skin care. You need a moisturiser that's right for you, notably, and proper exfoliation. There are body lotions that include BHA and thus exfoliate and moisturise at the same time. They might be interesting to look at.

Also, AHA is generally recommended for fading the most visible effects of sun damage. It won't go away, but it can be made better.

I highly recommend beautypedia.com for seeing what's good for you. Look at the reviews and also the information articles. Very instructive.

As for when your skin will be "finished", the table I have says "unknown". :p

[imperfectlyperfect]

I don't think scars have anything much to do with hrt. If your worried about skin softning..I would suggest be patient. I was told this so many times...I was worried it wasn't going to happen for me, now I have the most beautifull skin anyone has seen. I receive complements all the time on how soft and radient my skin and tone looks!

[kathy bottoms]

..... "blood sacrafices" towards a job well done ...

Nicely put.  It happens a lot when I work outside.

There are body lotions that include BHA and thus exfoliate and moisturise at the same time. They might be to look at. 

I saw these earlier today and they might be an interesting choice.  Could be something to try a little later.  But going to start with separate products first because I'd like to use an exfoliant just a few times a week as a starter.  And something I read said that AHA shouldn't be used as often as a BHA exfoliant. 

. ..I would suggest be patient. ...

Patients is difficult when I'm not that type person.  But I'm learning.