40 Year Old Adventure In Aging...and Perimenopause!!

Sep 2, 2014

Shelley W.

Well, as many of you already know I'm 40 and loving every minute of it. The past two years for me have been difficult for me physically and mentally. I had to stop doing figure competitions (body building) because it was causing me to experience chronic fatigue syndrome so I had to downgrade to bikini which isn't my fave division but I got over it. Then I had the lovely experience of being diagnosed melanoma skin cancer and had the joy of getting a chunk of skin/tissue removed from a section of my back and then followed up with radiation treatments.

All that being said I still managed to stay on top of my skincare despite all the obstacles I faced. I did start to notice slight changes going on with my skin shortly after my 38th birthday. The rate of cell turnover was slowing down so I had to amp up on my exfoliation and the fine lines started cropping up so retinol was introduced.

Now at 40...there is a new battle I'm facing and its called perimenopause!! I didn't find out till very recently after a series of blood tests to check hormone levels that I'm actually going thru it. Perimenopause is the precursor to menopause in which I'm no longer a fertile Betty and the womb has been retired. Its no fun...regardless of which stage a woman is in because it affects things externally/internally. To stay on topic in regards to skincare...let me tell what this sneaky visitor has done to my skin.

I sometimes experience hot flashes and have a hard time sleeping so when I wake up the next morning my under eye bags/shadows are screaming HELLO. Two weeks ago I experienced a massive outbreak of acne and my skin appeared to go into oily production overdrive due to decreased estrogen while my testosterone is elevated. Estrogens stimulate the fat in one's skin of the face is now working to redistribute fat elsewhere (which I don't mind as now I have a little extra junk in my trunk). With this loss though I'm susceptible to saggy facial skin. My skin is also more prone to sun damage and those pesky age spots and hyper pigmentation.

So what is this young/old lady to do? I've invested in multiple tubes of retinol...(RoC is my fave), and peptide creams and serums are stacked up in my home beauty closet like my kitchen pantry along with sunscreen. The key is keeping my collagen levels up because if that is dismantled my skin loses its resiliency and then instead of being 40 looking 25, I'll be 40 looking 60. I'm trying to age gracefully.

So for those of you who are heading into their 20's now is the time to start tapping into anti-aging because when you reach my age you want to be ahead of the game when that perimenapause hits you. Start out in baby steps as a lot of the anti-aging products are quite rich and can cause skin not needing such rich creams and serums to breakout. Definite must-have's to get one started out the gate...

*A lightweight antioxidant serum that contains peptides/vitamin c & e
*A moisturizing sunscreen of at least spf30.
*A moisturizing and lightweight eye cream that has antioxidants/peptides

As I progressed in the aging game I learned where I needed to subtract and add items based on how my skin is performing.

Sorry for the post being so long and I thank those in advance for reading/responding. Depending on my daily work load (as I'm now in grad school with a teaching fellowship) I will try my very best to post more about my adventure in aging as I have a lot more share but I was lucky to get this out in between my responsibilities. xxx

Sep 2, 2014

Traci L.

Shelley I loveee you I swear your my sister from another mr lol and I definitely Agree with all your points

Sep 2, 2014

Yaya B.

Love this post thanks Shelley I am sure youll age gracefully you seem like you got it down.packed.

Sep 2, 2014

jenny a.

Thank you @Shelley W. for sharing I'm turning 38 in a couple weeks😁 I have improved my skin care routine cuz of the tips I hav learned here😍 esp. from you beauties! That means U2 miss @Traci L.💋

Sep 2, 2014

Mya T.

Wow I'm only 14 and it sounds like a long journey is ahead of me. Your skin story is very inspirational! I hope better things are coming your way as you age.

Sep 2, 2014

Traci L.

Thank you Jenny xoxox

Sep 2, 2014

Maggie F.

Well you look great!! I would not have guessed that you are 40!! What you're doing is definitely working. I can relate as now that I'm 33, my skin seems dull and I still get some breakouts plus wrinkles are starting. Very frustrating. Can you recommend any serums with peptides that are non-comedogenic or won't cause breakouts?

Sep 2, 2014

Tonita C.

Ahhhh my pretties Shelley and Traci! I'm glad you posted this..I've wondered what I needed for a good skincare regimen, but was too lazy to type up my question. Shelley, any suggestions for serum or moisturizing cream?

Sep 2, 2014

Tonita C.

And I'm stoked about overcoming your diagnosis! 🙏

Sep 2, 2014

Ashley F.

I still can't believe you're 40, when I first started checking out the talk section, I assumed by your pictures that you were late 20's like me. I can only hope that I look as good as you in 13 years! Thank you for your awesome post and advice and I'll keep you in my prayers.

Sep 2, 2014

Bree B.

Oh this is good info, Shelley. So they can tell if you're going through perimenopause through blood work? Because I know sometimes your cycle can change and that's an indicator. I've had a partial hysterectomy though. So no period. However I do still have hormones, so I get a cycle in that respect but it can be hard to tell. I do *think I might be having closer cycles, some perimenopausal stuff going on, fun fun.

Sep 2, 2014

Ivette H.

Thank you for this information Shelley, this is very helpful. I am in my late 20's and really starting to get more into anti aging products. Would you be able to recommend a good antioxidant serum drugstore and high end please?

Sep 3, 2014

Aru T.

Such Ab informative post Shelley, as always! and you are a very inspirational and admirable lady! lots of love... :)

Sep 3, 2014

Aru T.

*an

Sep 3, 2014

Cass F.

Wonderful post,
Thanks for contributing. I have found more and more examples around where people say it's what you do to yourself 10-15yrs earlier that will bite you in the bum. Not just skincare.
I am not at your stage of the circle of life however I do have noticeable changes even when menstrual so I will be very mindful when I get to your stage. I appreciate you taking the time out of inform. Xx

Sep 3, 2014

Traci P.

Thank you Shelley for the aging info! I am venturing into anti aging products as of recently and have been debating buying the roc serums. You convinced me to suck it up and buy it already lol.

Sep 3, 2014

Sevetria M.

Thank you thank you thank you for this post. I thought I was losing my mind or something. I noticed the changes a little over a year ago, just before turning 40.

Sep 3, 2014

Tina S.

Shelly yet again you inspire me!! you have a wealth of wisdom. aging can be tough I've just turned 30, skincare definitely needs changing as the years fly by! try writing these gems down. Thank you.

Sep 6, 2014

Parnika J.

Ohhhh Shelley... Awesome post.. you are no doubt a beautiful and strong woman and I really mean it :)