49 and freaking out a little
Sometime in the last two years, my neck started sliding off! I’ve had a loss of firmness in my jowls/lower cheeks too. I just don’t recognize myself in photos anymore. I try to be grateful for the minimal aging around my eyes and forehead, but when I look in the mirror all I can see is the neck wattle and blotchy cheek, and it scares me.
I know not much can be done via skincare, but I can’t afford a neck or face lift (also I’d be terrified lol), so I’d like to do what I can.
I also have significant sun damage, especially on my left check, which is completely my fault being into tanning in my teens and 20s. I also had a broken capillary that a dermatologist made worse with a laser procedure 15 years ago. And some recurring red bumps on my nose, which I assume are clogged pores plus whiteheads.
I have had a simple routine most my life as I had rosacea and sensitive skin, which has been completely mitigated by tirzepatide. I can now tolerate actives but not sure where to start. I’m not even sure of the vocabulary—like is my left check a “tone” issue? are the red nose bumps clogged pores?
I recently started tretinoin 0.025% (tolerating it very well 3x/week in evenings, will likely go up in strength once this tube is done). I’m religious about SPF. But what else can I do? Please be as brutally honest as necessary