Skin Care

[Jaz650]

Hi ladies,
so I began HRT at fourteen, I am twenty two now, but I never really cared about skin care. I mostly hid under make up. I am very passable since I did not undergo full puberty. I am stealth for the most part, but I have chosen to be open, so I can advocate tg rights in the Church. However, I am terribly suffering not caring about my skin before. Gosh I could be so pretty! Estrogen has done wonders for me curves in the right places, perfect size breasts, softer skin, smaller pores, what's your skin care regimen after HRT? I am particularly interested in hearing from ladies who had completely male skin before HRT. Pleeeeaaaaase!

[Leila]

Way before HRT and before puberty I had almost flawless skin. Being a boy back in those days I spent most of my time outdoors and those days we weren't told to put on sunscreen especially when it was summer and sunny so I often came home often with a bright red slightly sunburnt face. When puberty did come round I was hit with a really bad bout of acne. I had several areas of trapped infected blood under my cheeks from earlier episodes of acne. Sticking a pin deep into the flesh was one way of extricating it. OTC lotions and potions from the pharmacist did nothing to help. I visited my GP a few times and was on three different medications and none of these helped much. It was by pure luck when I went back to visit him again one day that he was away and a locum GP recognised the severity of my acne that he referred me to a dermatologist. I was prescribed roacutane from the hospital pharmacy. This stuff comes with a serious health warning to your liver and is only prescribed in extreme cases, however it was what I needed to shake off the acne and allow the damage in my cheeks to heal.

Aside from acne scars on my cheeks, as it hinted earlier without sunscreen my face started developing more and more blemishes and wrinkles. By the time before I started HRT I had freckles on my cheekbones and upper lip, various blemishes on my cheeks, crows feet and deepening wrinkles above my brow bone. I was lucky to only have facial hair on my upper lips and chin, even more lucky that I only needed to shave once every couple of days.

Now that I am on HRT I cannot undo the majority of damage and 30+ years of neglect that has been inflicted to my skin. HRT is making some progress. The wrinkles on my forehead appear less prominent and the crows feet almost gone - giving the appearance I am ten years younger. Following laser, the majority of the pores which used to sprout facial hair have closed up and with no hair growing underneath has lightened up too. Regular skin exfoliating and moisturising has left my face feeling very smooth and soft even on the heavily scarred parts. Where possible I stay out of the sun.

[Emily1996]

Well wash you face three times a day and moisturize u_u right now i'm 17 and not on HRT but my skin is very soft since I'm not out of the sun much and I moisturize a lot (which prevents wrinkles when we get older). Exfoliate once a week, it helps regenerate your skin faster by getting rid of the older skin layer. If you have an oily skin use oil-free products, and such. Always remove make up before going to bed, and after the 30s you should buy an eye cream so that you don't get wrinkles there lol and yeah it's good to apply an eye cream before puttin make up there too! Eat the right stuff that is good for you. Don't smoke nor drink.

[crowcrow223]

since I'm not out of the sun much

You mean not in the sun much? Sunrays are very harmful and are number one cause of premature ageing

Skincare: Avoid sun, wear sunscreen, cover your body with clothing/protective sunglasses/hats etc.
Wash your face twice a day, moisturise, you can try massagining your skin

[Jaz650]

Way before HRT and before puberty I had almost flawless skin. Being a boy back in those days I spent most of my time outdoors and those days we weren't told to put on sunscreen especially when it was summer and sunny so I often came home often with a bright red slightly sunburnt face. When puberty did come round I was hit with a really bad bout of acne. I had several areas of trapped infected blood under my cheeks from earlier episodes of acne. Sticking a pin deep into the flesh was one way of extricating it. OTC lotions and potions from the pharmacist did nothing to help. I visited my GP a few times and was on three different medications and none of these helped much. It was by pure luck when I went back to visit him again one day that he was away and a locum GP recognised the severity of my acne that he referred me to a dermatologist. I was prescribed roacutane from the hospital pharmacy. This stuff comes with a serious health warning to your liver and is only prescribed in extreme cases, however it was what I needed to shake off the acne and allow the damage in my cheeks to heal.

Aside from acne scars on my cheeks, as it hinted earlier without sunscreen my face started developing more and more blemishes and wrinkles. By the time before I started HRT I had freckles on my cheekbones and upper lip, various blemishes on my cheeks, crows feet and deepening wrinkles above my brow bone. I was lucky to only have facial hair on my upper lips and chin, even more lucky that I only needed to shave once every couple of days.

Now that I am on HRT I cannot undo the majority of damage and 30+ years of neglect that has been inflicted to my skin. HRT is making some progress. The wrinkles on my forehead appear less prominent and the crows feet almost gone - giving the appearance I am ten years younger. Following laser, the majority of the pores which used to sprout facial hair have closed up and with no hair growing underneath has lightened up too. Regular skin exfoliating and moisturising has left my face feeling very smooth and soft even on the heavily scarred parts. Where possible I stay out of the sun.

have you tried retin A? I didn't take care of my skin for eight years! I also purposely wanted acne on my forehead so I could have long hair, I have beautiful hair. Retin A plus HRT do wonders. There is another thread on here in which it is discussed.

[TheQuestion]

I took Accutane not too long ago.  A lot of people are scared of it but I have totally perfect skin all over now - soft, smooth, and non-greasy.  It's usually used as a last option for acne or in bad cases.  Mine was never awful, but it was a constant problem.  Taking Accutane was the best decision I've made thus far.  Tazorac and Retin A are also great.  I'd also use sun block often, especially if you use Tazorac or Retin, and moisturize.  I use coconut oil as a moisturizer and it seems to work very well.

[Leila]

have you tried retin A? I didn't take care of my skin for eight years! I also purposely wanted acne on my forehead so I could have long hair, I have beautiful hair. Retin A plus HRT do wonders. There is another thread on here in which it is discussed.

I don't have severe acne anymore thankfully. I last had it some 25 odd years ago. I did get spots on my forehead recently but they were from when I started HRT and new hairs started growing as per a female hairline. I think all the hairs that wanted to come out have since grown and there's been no further spots there. Also had zits post lasering my facial hair where the hairs got trapped, but since regular zapping they too have become less of an issue.

I might look into the Retin A though. It looks interesting enough to perhaps heal some of the sun damage and hyper pigmentation. Most of the wrinkles I did have, have gone, so it may be beneficial on the more deeper ones that still persist. However I'd have to wait till summer is over as there's a recommendation to stay out of sunlight when using it and I can't trust myself to always remember the sunscreen especially if I have medication that specially requires that I stay away from the sun.

I took Accutane not too long ago.  A lot of people are scared of it but I have totally perfect skin all over now - soft, smooth, and non-greasy.  It's usually used as a last option for acne or in bad cases.  Mine was never awful, but it was a constant problem.  Taking Accutane was the best decision I've made thus far.  Tazorac and Retin A are also great.  I'd also use sun block often, especially if you use Tazorac or Retin, and moisturize.  I use coconut oil as a moisturizer and it seems to work very well.

Most people are horrified by the side effects from Roacutane, with some even claiming lasting effects years after its use. I did have a few issues with it when I was using it, but it was mostly the dry and cracked lips I suffered from. For me it was the pill of last resort as everything else didn't work.

My SO is using coconut oil on her acne scars, it has helped with scar fading as well as moisturising.

[GenTechJ]

My SO is using coconut oil on her acne scars, it has helped with scar fading as well as moisturising.

This has been recommended to me for years as I have very dry skin. It's probably one of the things I absolutely hate about my body and I have yet to find a moisturizing lotion that prevents me from flaking. But I will also research some of the other ideas posted here.

[TheQuestion]

Yeah, I had the dry lips and the inside of my nose was hell for a few months, but it's not too bad if your diligent with chap stick and moisturizer.  I used it during the winter, the worst time of year to use it, and I was able to get through with ease.  Apparently a lot of the side effects are only listed because of old claims and legal obligations.  It isn't the best stuff for you, but they test your blood every month while your on it to make sure your doing OK on the inside.  I had no side effects aside from the lips and dry skin, which means it's working.  If you have acne on your chest or back, areas that are tough to conquer, then Accutane is an option.  But it totally should be the last resort.  It does work full on though.  I'd first go with tazorac or retin a, both contain retinols and even fight/reverse signs of aging by improving collagen turnover...

[TheQuestion]

This has been recommended to me for years as I have very dry skin. It's probably one of the things I absolutely hate about my body and I have yet to find a moisturizing lotion that prevents me from flaking. But I will also research some of the other ideas posted here.

Currently, my entire body is slathered in coconut oil, it works pretty well IMO...

[GenTechJ]

Currently, my entire body is slathered in coconut oil, it works pretty well IMO...

Sounds like it's time for me to start using it.

This is 'technically' skin care, but any recommendations for dry scalps? I guess I just have really sensitive skin or something and I've tried multiple dandruff and moisturizing shampoos and I'm starting to think I need to visit a professional.

[TheQuestion]

Sounds like it's time for me to start using it.

This is 'technically' skin care, but any recommendations for dry scalps? I guess I just have really sensitive skin or something and I've tried multiple dandruff and moisturizing shampoos and I'm starting to think I need to visit a professional.

Yup, same advice, coconut oil.  It's great for you scalp and hair.

[GenTechJ]

Yup, same advice, coconut oil.  It's great for you scalp and hair.

Really? Do I use it in conjunction with my hair care products? Or use it exclusively?

I seriously get embarrassed going out due to my flaky skin and scalp. Even more so as I get closer to becoming a woman, I don't want to be flaky.

[TheQuestion]

You just massage it in, keep it there for a few hours before you plan on taking a shower, and then you wash it out.  You can get really elaborate with it and make your own conditioner from it, but I feel like all you need to do is massage it in.

[GenTechJ]

You just massage it in, keep it there for a few hours before you plan on taking a shower, and then you wash it out.  You can get really elaborate with it and make your own conditioner from it, but I feel like all you need to do is massage it in.

Ok, will definitely do as you recommend and thank you for all the tips. Will let you know how it works out.

[Emily1996]

You mean not in the sun much? Sunrays are very harmful and are number one cause of premature ageing

Skincare: Avoid sun, wear sunscreen, cover your body with clothing/protective sunglasses/hats etc.
Wash your face twice a day, moisturise, you can try massagining your skin

Yes I meant that sorry but english is not my first language lol

[Lady_Oracle]

I exfoliate my body every 2 days in the shower. Exfoliate my face almost everyday except for about two days out of the week. I get lots of comments on my skin, so I guess I'm doing things right. I'd like to get some coconut oil soon. Spiro has forced me to be more proactive about moisturizing and I do that about 3 times a day.