Any tips for toning horrible loose skin under the armpit ?
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free skin care · Thu Jan 15, 2009 4:29 am

Hello

I'm older than I would like to be!!! and was trying on a couple of sleeveless dresses today. I would have bought them were it not for the ever increasing wrinkly skin just where chest meets the armpit, if you can picture what I mean Question

I know it comes with age, but I really hate it and know I would feel very self conscious and unattractive if it were on show. I also really hate the chicken skin, wrinkly elbows that I have.

Please, does anyone have any good tips for smoothing and toning these areas? I think we've gone beyond any miracle cream here Crying or Very sad

Thanks

free skin care · Thu Jan 15, 2009 5:52 am

Not an instant cure, but dry skin brushing will brush away the dead layers of skin and get the circulation going. I have a long, wood handled brush with natural bristles, and the first time I used it, I thought, "Oh no! That's too rough for me!", but now I love it.
I use it before my shower and follow up with a firming cream meant for facial use.

free skin care · Thu Jan 15, 2009 8:55 am

Radio frequency might a good solution. We are discussing RF for face on Stop thread.

free skin care · Thu Jan 15, 2009 9:41 am

Right, thanks I shall try and find it!

catballou, I've just ordered a dry brushing dvd, so let's hop that helps!

free skin care · Thu Jan 15, 2009 11:09 am

That area firms up really quickly with exercise. I had that a bit at one point and then did some chest presses at the gym and they went away immediately (it was a small amount to fix). When I don't use a gym (right now I don't) I do girl push ups - 20/day a few days a week and there is no flab there to speak of - I am not overweight at all though.

free skin care · Thu Jan 15, 2009 1:21 pm

Thanks charis. I don't think it's flab. I work out with kettle bells so my arms are pretty strong and toned. It's loose skin Crying or Very sad

. Having quite muscley(sp?) arms hasn't made any difference.

free skin care · Thu Jan 15, 2009 1:59 pm

Claraboo, I've posted a gazillion times on various sites as I have a similar problem. My weird skin is in the crook of my elbow (elbow pit) and a little in the same place as you. I am a gym-rat. I weight 129 and am 5'8" so not exactly a flabby girl! I developed this skin in the two years after turning 52 and hitting the Big M.

Nothing I have tried (including six months of painful CP application) has made a jot of difference. However, I live in hope. Here's my current protocol:

1. Pray. Laughing

2. (a.m.) apply bio-identical hormone therapy creams to this area (to boost collagen production).

3. Cover BHRT with any cream loaded with actives such as argirilene, peptides, ALA, soy and what-not (to also help stimulate collagen production).

4. (p.m.) Wash area and apply thin coat of CPs, allow to sink in. Apply SkinActives Let's Make Collagen serum. Use Baby Quasar Red (or Anti-Aging Lightstim) on area.

5. Apply a skin-enhancing oil such as Sea Buckthorn oil.

6. Resume praying.

I have also spoken to three derms, a cosmetic surgeon, and the doc who runs my local Medi-spa. The concensus is that the awful chicken-like skin is caused by collagen and elastin disappearing due to drop in hormonal levels. The derm at one place (Pacific Dermaesthetics) says he could get rid of it with a blending of Fraxel and Thermage but there are no guarantees and this treatment is very expensive.

free skin care · Thu Jan 15, 2009 8:08 pm

Have to do exercise, weight lifting. Get 2 dumbbells and lift them when you are watching TV.

free skin care · Thu Jan 15, 2009 8:15 pm

Clara (and I) have already said we are well toned with weights. This loosening of the skin has nothing to do with muscle toning/size as it occurs in areas that cannot be plumped up/tautened through natural muscle growth. It is purely a skin issue. Unless something is inserted under the skin, or the skin "shrunk" in size, it will pucker and wrinkle due to sub-dermal fat loss and loss of supportive collagen and elastin.

free skin care · Thu Jan 15, 2009 8:42 pm

Antonia, after your post some time about the chicken skin on inner elbow, I checked out my elbow pits out and discovered that I also have it (in addition to scrotum skin right above my clavicle dip and corduroy skin on the bridge of my nose (between the eyes)). This devious stuff must just creep around in the night, looking for a new place to set up a colony. It seems like something becomes flaccid or "drapey" every other week. Why couldn't it all collect on the bottoms of my feet, which nobody sees anyway?

Anyway, I decided to try Super GHK-Copper Intensive Serum (a Skin Biology product) on my left inner elbow only, while the right inner elbow received benign neglect. It's only been about a week but I'm seeing a noticeable difference. The skin on the left is not even close to perfect but it is a lot less "bunchy" and now looks only 85 years old instead of older than dinosaurs. I never would have tried the CP serum for this if you hadn't mentioned it. Thank you! Early test results suggest that I should order this stuff by the vat and just do a whole body dip to save time.

P.S. I also go to Pacific Dermaesthetics -- the staff are great and Dr. McGillivray is a sweetie.

free skin care · Thu Jan 15, 2009 8:45 pm

Oh, rats -- I meant to say "after your post some time ago".

free skin care · Thu Jan 15, 2009 8:59 pm

pinky1 wrote:

Antonia, after your post some time about the chicken skin on inner elbow, I checked out my elbow pits out and discovered that I also have it (in addition to scrotum skin right above my clavicle dip and corduroy skin on the bridge of my nose (between the eyes)). This devious stuff must just creep around in the night, looking for a new place to set up a colony. It seems like something becomes flaccid or "drapey" every other week. Why couldn't it all collect on the bottoms of my feet, which nobody sees anyway?

"Scrotum skin" yeeeeek! It was Dr. McG who said he could get rid of my nasties! I'll PM you with a q. tomorrow. Yes, he and Jason are very nice. I knew Jason when he started as a derm. Anyhoo... back to that GHK thing... I tried the dive-in-a-vat protocol but it didn't work for me. I have never used the serum, just the regular green goo. That's amazing that it's working for you in such a short time. I'm motivated! This chicken skin is for the birds (Groan...)

free skin care · Fri Jan 16, 2009 12:19 am

Thanks Antonia, I am going to try massage and thumping the skin and also the cp idea! Laughing

Hi pinky, I'm just abut to order some super serum! I'm nearly done with the mild strength serum, maybe I should start putting that on my elbows, somehow I don't think it will help under the armpit Confused

Claraboo

free skin care · Fri Jan 16, 2009 10:15 am

Hi Clara, GHK contains CPs so you won't need both! Here's the info:

The Skin Biology formula contains approximately five times more GHK-Copper than the strongest formulations available and fifty times the concentration found in most GHK-Copper cosmetics. The rejuvenation properties of Super GHK-Copper are further enhanced with an abundance of natural antioxidants. Due to the extra rich mix of antioxidants in the Super GHK-Copper Cream, the shade of the cream appears different than some of our other formulas. At Skin Biology, we do not believe in adding unnatural dyes to disguise the natural color of beneficial ingredients such as lutein and lycopene.

free skin care · Fri Jan 16, 2009 8:53 pm

I wonder if the vaculifter(cupping) would be appropriate to use in that area of your body. I haven't tried it yet, but it's my next exploration for increasing circulation, and I believe, therefore supporting collagen production.

free skin care · Fri Jan 16, 2009 9:03 pm

I have heard that this is helpful. I can't remember if it was Kassy or Bethany who mentioned it. My skin is particualrly obnoxious if I twist my arm. It is scary I tell you...

free skin care · Fri Jan 16, 2009 9:24 pm

Jasminerosey, I've ordered a vaculifter (still waiting for delivery) for this purpose and can't wait to give it a go on all my crepey skin bits. I'm also hoping that it can do double duty as facial massage after Ageless exercises, as free time is a precious commodity for me. Could somebody please invent a "Blade Runner" kind of gizmo, like a shower stall capsule, that cleans/exfoliates/moisturizes the skin, gives you an AALS treatment, exercises your muscles and does your hair and make-up? Kassy, are you up for this?

Antonia, thanks for reminding me where Super GHK is in the copper continuum. I've got so many products and gadgets in the rotation right now that, half the time, I can't remember the details of each. Furthermore, I am unable to explain the logic in recently adding a 302 regime to "simplify" my skin care routine. (Yes, I know I'm an idiot.) Laughing

free skin care · Sat Jan 17, 2009 9:03 pm

Have you guys considered Retin A? It regenerates both collagen and elastin.

I read a research study a research study where they tested it specifically on the arms of the elderly (present company excluded, of course) and had great results.

Here is an article:
http://dermatology.jwatch.org/cgi/content/full/2007/608/1

And the actual study (I have read the complete stsudy with pics)
http://archderm.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/143/5/606

free skin care · Sun Jan 18, 2009 1:32 am

Thanks Bethany Smile

I have thought of adding retin to my ever increasing armoury of potions Wink

There are three things that have stopped me so far:

The cost
Where to buy
How to use

I live in the uk

I've had a look on various sites and amazed that the tubes look really tiny and cost a bomb! Do you only use a tiny bit then.

Are there any threads specifically dedicated to retin use? ( I am useless at finding appropriate threads!)

Claraboo

free skin care · Thu Jan 22, 2009 8:31 pm

claraboo wrote:

Thanks Bethany Smile

I have thought of adding retin to my ever increasing armoury of potions Wink

There are three things that have stopped me so far:

The cost
Where to buy
How to use

I live in the uk

I've had a look on various sites and amazed that the tubes look really tiny and cost a bomb! Do you only use a tiny bit then.

Are there any threads specifically dedicated to retin use? ( I am useless at finding appropriate threads!)

Claraboo

There are a ton of questions on the skincare and makeup forum. Retin A is one of the very few things that is consistently proven to regenerate skin. And when it comes to your arms, I would not waste time on something weaker.

The cost is fairly cheap if you buy generic from medsmex.com, alldaychemist.com, etc. A tube will last you quite some time since you only use a little, but it is best to buy several at a time since shipping is sometimes higher that the product!

Feel free to PM me if you have any questions about what to buy or how to use it. Smile

free skin care · Fri Jan 23, 2009 6:40 pm

I am also 52 5'9" and relatively thin but have some saggy underarm skin. I have not found exercise to do much. I did start to use the Dermaroller an this area but it seems more sensitive than my face?

free skin care · Fri Jan 23, 2009 9:21 pm

sharky wrote:

I am also 52 5'9" and relatively thin but have some saggy underarm skin. I have not found exercise to do much. I did start to use the Dermaroller an this area but it seems more sensitive than my face?

Sharky, you may need some Emla. Or you could always just roll lightly and use it to increase penetration of your Vit A and Vit C products.

free skin care · Tue Jan 27, 2009 6:13 pm

Bethany, I read that study on the (much) older women. That is very strong Retin-A they were using. I can't even use the .025 on my yukky arm area as it turns red and itches like crazy. I can use 0.1 on my face. I tell you, my face may look like it's delicate but it's like a rhino hide in terms of resistance to irritation. I am going to try the Retin-A .025 once every three days and try to build up. I wish LouLou would invent some kind of arm twitch to rebuild this area Laughing

free skin care · Tue Jan 27, 2009 9:28 pm

Antonia wrote:

Bethany, I read that study on the (much) older women. That is very strong Retin-A they were using. I can't even use the .025 on my yukky arm area as it turns red and itches like crazy. I can use 0.1 on my face. I tell you, my face may look like it's delicate but it's like a rhino hide in terms of resistance to irritation. I am going to try the Retin-A .025 once every three days and try to build up. I wish LouLou would invent some kind of arm twitch to rebuild this area Laughing

If you have a CP serum (NOT the strong ones!), try putting it on under the Retin A...they do help mitigate some of the irritation.

free skin care · Tue Jan 27, 2009 10:02 pm

OK, I'll try that one. I have difficulty with both, so I may have to dilute them both as well. Thanks Smile

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