What measures do you take to preserve yourself?

[Nero]

Currently I am using minoxidil for my temples and finasteride. Ponds cream for my face. The Ponds stuff supposedly has anti- wrinkle AHAs and collagen. But I fear it's not enough. I was using retinoids cream, but not consistently. My eyes are very sensitive to anything near them and I'm very allergy prone. Though the Ponds doesn't seem to aggravate them as much as the eye creams I tried.

While I was asking my doctor for finasteride (which she didn't think I needed, and only prescribed at my insistence), I asked about anti-aging stuff. She kinda looked at me like I was from another planet. She didn't think there was anything that worked. I was stunned.  As an older woman, I would have thought she would have known all the best stuff.

Now I don't know what to use. I know Retin A needs a prescription. Maybe I should have asked for that. At least, if she gave me something, I could sleep at night knowing I was trying. Without a proper regimen, I fear I'm leaving myself to rot. The guilt is just... unbearable. 

I bought one of these special pillows after discovering a line down one cheek - nasiolabial fold. I freaked. Started looking up botox people in my area, plastic surgeons... Staring at my finances. Well, I thought, who cares about the money if I've got to live with a line down my cheek!
I scoured the internet for a cause. Many sources said this cheek thing develops from high impact exercise and weight loss. Hmmm, I had been going to the gym a lot lately. And eating these healthy shakes and stuff. What is a girl (er... man) to do?

Well, my studies got stressful. I was up too late to make the gym at 5am. And lo and behold, I put back on the weight and - the line was gone! Like magic. So, then I was faced with the most dastardly decision - Looking old or looking fat? my face or my gut?  One guess as to what I chose...

And what about you? What's your preservation regimen? Any tips?

[Anatta]

Kia Ora,

For both body and mind.... meditation, healthy diet, exercise, and sleep...(plus being blessed with good genes) oh and I also use Simple moisturiser (Simple as in the brand name)...So I tend to age/rot/decay gracefully   

Metta Anatta

[Sarah Louise]

I guess I was lucky, I've had soft skin my entire life and no wrinkles in my face (but I do have a gut unfortunately).

I've done nothing for my face other than Cuticura soap other soaps irritate my face due to perfumes and dyes.

[Ms Grace]

Yeah, I don't know...I'm 48 but don't do anything much. Obviously the estrogen has helped "de-age" me, as has the wig; but other than a bit of moisturiser every now and then, not much, and I use minimal makeup. I have been vegetarian for about 27 years now, get sleep when I'm tired, don't smoke, drink booze well within recommended levels (I'm a cheap drunk anyway) and walk pretty much everyday. Trying to find happiness and stay stress free helps like you wouldn't believe, sounds a bit new agey and not always easy I know but worth working on, stress and sadness can age you pretty quickly.

[sad panda]

Honestly I don't preserve myself like I should. I destroy myself more than anything.... self harm... pretty bad... binging and starving and purging... drinking... sleeping all wrong... tons of stress... ugh. I don't know. It doesn't feel real that I can get old but I freak out when I see any signs of it.

Really all I do that's actually good for me is eat low calories overall, try to get cardio, take a multi and biotin. I am worried about my skin so I cleanse and moisturize daily though it doesn't get too oily, I do it anyway. I was using a night cream for a while but yeah, I didn't notice any real difference, and sometimes I'll use a mask but I think that's just again to make me feel better, I don't notice any difference when I use it or make a homemade one. And I avoid tanning except just a little to not look gross in summer. I always wash my makeup off and I am especially careful with my eyes now since they have such horrible dark circles around them from rubbing as a kid.

Also my nails were getting a little damaged so I'm making sure to moisturize every time I wash my hands now (which is actually probably way too often) and only leaving polish on for like a week.

But mostly, I just don't want to think about aging... god it's depressing. The list of cosmetic surgeries I want are piling up but the really important one for me is a tummy tuck ;o;

Not sure you can ultimately prevent wrinkles and lines... but I try to not make weird faces much... lol ;-;

[Ltl89]

I use St. Ive's Timeless skin on my face every morning and night (after using Noxema).  I feel it works pretty well.  My eyes are tired and horrible, but I started to use Neutrogena's Rapid Wrinkle Repair again (retinol sa cream).  I've used it in the past and it never worked, but I'm sick of my raccoon eyes and want them to just go away.  I wish I had a solution other than concealer.  Besides my facial skin, I use Gene's vitamin e cream along with an Aloe vera cream on my body.  This way I prevent any potential stretch marks or cellulite.  And for my hands and feet, I usually put on Bath and Body and body work lotion (sweet pea is my current scent).  Skin care is very important and it's always better to go overboard and start early rather than be upset later on.

I'm sorry you are having these body issues FA.  I wish I could help, but I do understand what it feels like.  Don't let it get the best of you.  We all have "imperfections" and that's okay.  You're only human.

[Nero]

  Besides my facial skin, I use Gene's vitamin e cream along with an Aloe vera cream on my body.  This way I prevent any potential stretch marks or cellulite. 

This is actually a really good idea to try to prevent those stretch marks as a developing girl. Heard it works for pregnancy too. Though I don't know.

[Chloevixen]

I drink tons of water!! Number one key.  After that I use the Olay age defense twice a day on my entire body, and their facial scrub twice daily.  My worst part are the bags under my eyes, and wrinkles on my forehead.  I hate them and cant find anything that works. I work in a pool so make up is out.

I do gets lots of exercise, and maintain a healthy tan. (I do wear sunblock) Diet is pretty lousy, and I smoke.
The estrogen has really helped, and curbing my smoking.

[TerriT]

As far as cleaning/preserving myself and not just stuff I use to try and look pretty, I start with Clinique exfoliation scrub every day, Korres crew-gel moisturizer, and spf 110 Neutrogena sunscreen which I won't go outside without. I use Nivea lotion all over every day and usually Sun Bum or Neutrogena sunscreen on any other skin that will be exposed. I think using a decent sunscreen is most important. I hate the sun. Right now I'm using Caviar Iron Spray heat protectant spray on my hair.

For supplements I take msm/glucosamine, Hyaluronic Acid, Milk Thistle extract and a multi. I work out 35-45 minutes a day of various cardio/resistance routines.

I quit smoking a long time ago (10 years maybe???), lost a bunch of weight and kept it off. I eat healthy. No pork or red meat, but I still like red wine more than I probably should.