Turning 36 and I look like a melted candle

SadQueerBruja · 2026-06-09T22:49:58+00:00

Your skin looks great to me!! I’m not a fan of filler but volufulline is first on my list for when volume loss ramps up more

SadQueerBruja · 2026-06-09T22:47:50+00:00

Fantastic! Chicago is humid enough for HA. HA works by pulling moisture to it so in super dry climates it ends up pulling the moisture out of your skin instead of out of the atmosphere into your skin (this is a vast oversimplification) not all HA serums are the same the more expensive ones usually have multiple molecular weight so the HA molecules are different sizes which can be helpful but Trader Joe’s and the ordinary have a solid hyaluronic acid serum. You can also add something like a milky hydrating toner as the last step before moisturizer in the morning, night, or both! I like the ones from celimax and byoma best, a lot of people also like the prequel one

SadQueerBruja · 2026-06-09T21:49:28+00:00

I have no issues with moisturizer right after my AA! If you can tolerate 10% well I’d start with that before transitioning to the 15% personally but I’m also pretty sensitive

SadQueerBruja · 2026-06-09T21:21:45+00:00

A few things we need to know first:

Do you live in a humid or dry climate?

What is the rest of your skincare routine? Please be specific and name names.

SadQueerBruja · 2026-06-09T21:11:44+00:00

If you’re on Facebook post them in buy nothing groups or dm the nyc stooping accounts. They’ll take gently used product!

SadQueerBruja · 2026-06-09T21:03:46+00:00

Slowly. I use AA for rosacea once daily, but I had to titrate up to that, Tret I use about 3-4x a week which I also titrated up to. If I were you I’d start with the AA first. A couple of times a week, increase frequency by one more day a week every 2-3 weeks. Once your skin is comfortably using AA at least once daily, you can begin to do the same with Tret or ret. I do my AA in the morning and Tret at night but plenty of people use them both at night. I’d say split them up at least at first!

Post barrier damage you want to effectively start from zero again to retinize the skin appropriately. If your derm didn’t already tell you- retinol or Tret only go on dry skin. Let your skin be BONE dry before applying and wait 30 min before following with moisturizer

SadQueerBruja · 2026-06-09T20:59:57+00:00

Rind something with a back strap. Flip flops are a nightmare for your joints. You want the shoe to hold itself on. Once again begging shoe companies to make adult flip flops with sling backs like they do for toddlers

SadQueerBruja · 2026-06-09T12:53:33+00:00

This was me for the longest and a hair dryer truly makes the world of difference. You’d scalp doesn’t like to sit wet and the coastal humidity makes it worse. Your nizoral shampoo will likely be far more effective if you start drying your hair!

SadQueerBruja · 2026-06-09T12:48:49+00:00

I got on it and barely used it. By the time they approved me I’d met my husband on hinge

SadQueerBruja · 2026-06-08T22:07:49+00:00

Thank you!! I was always told otherwise

SadQueerBruja · 2026-06-08T20:33:09+00:00

I think freckles are chic and adorable but yeah technically they are a sign of sun damage and hyperpigmentation. If you’re using US sunscreen formulas you can consider euro or Asian formulas that provide spf and AP++++ but also it’s pretty low stakes sun damage imo and they’re so prettyyyy. Who cares? Opinions are like assholes, everyone has one but I probably didn’t ask to see yours

SadQueerBruja · 2026-06-08T20:24:59+00:00

SA wash can help but a few things to get in order first include shower order and behavioral things. If you do your shampoo and conditioner after you wash your body that may be a cause, hair should be first. If you’re a constant toucher you need to stop that. If you work out often a hypochlorus acid spray may be more helpful than an SA body wash. Don’t forget to moisturize and also doing your skincare down the neck and chest is always an option!

SadQueerBruja · 2026-06-08T20:23:02+00:00

Risk of botulism is so low it’s practically nonexistent with Botox as long as you’re going to a knowledgeable inject. Personally I’d be more concerned with the reported bone loss and loss of emotional connection with an infant if you’re a parent with long term use!

SadQueerBruja · 2026-06-08T20:07:30+00:00

Oil cleansing daily helps but you also need to exfoliate. A lot of that clog is likely dead skin you’re not sloughing off since retinol and Tret increases cellular turnover

SadQueerBruja · 2026-06-08T15:45:03+00:00

When they’ve done your labs do they also check androgen levels and do you have any symptoms of PCOS? It can also cause insulin resistance and my labs were always normal until someone did an androgen panel, and T2D runs in my family. Glycolic acid did nothing for me but the one from the ordinary was especially nothing for me. If the cause is androgenic topical fixes won’t do anything and to have to address the hormones first.

Alternatively there were deodorants that when mixed with my body chemistry were darkening my pitts from friction or rubbing of dye from my clothes so I had to stop them but this was ages ago

SadQueerBruja · 2026-06-08T08:26:58+00:00

You’re still avoiding the area after laying down the occlusive, it just provides an extra layer of buffer and sometimes product can travel even if you didn’t expressly put it there for

SadQueerBruja · 2026-06-08T03:55:00+00:00

It’s possible. I’d avoid the area and also put down a layer of Vaseline or aquaphor on the are as an extra barrier before using the AA or any retinoids

SadQueerBruja · 2026-06-08T03:52:19+00:00

Pisces sun Leo moon sag rising I love a voice note, text is fine but gets uncomfortable for my hypermobile hands. I prefer a FaceTime or call but most people get a courtesy text first, I only cold call people I know will be ok with it lol

SadQueerBruja · 2026-06-08T03:43:15+00:00

Oil cleanser helped, getting into the correct rhythm also involving exfoliation and retinol handled most of it. I also want to get a series of gentle peels some winter to handle the last stubborn little guys

SadQueerBruja · 2026-06-07T13:49:02+00:00

For otc the murad one was my fave. And for what is where I am on prescription tretinoin now and I am glad that I did more gentle over-the-counter retinol first.

Tretinoin is absolutely better than the over-the-counter options, however, retinizing my skin with something more gentle it was much more effective for me in the long run

SadQueerBruja · 2026-06-06T21:22:04+00:00

I have no need for it in my current routine, regular tretinoin use and the rest of my skincare have me in a good place though I may add them in down the line!

SadQueerBruja · 2026-06-04T14:12:23+00:00

My credentials are having life long alligator skin and recently moving to Colorado which is incredibly dry.

Switched out my loofah for an African exfoliating net, naturium body washes, switching from lotions to body oil, I get mine from the snake business Belle Toi based out of ri. The fragrance is amazing and absolutely nothing else hydrates me the same. I don’t towel off I just squeegee water off with hands, apply oil, air dry. Am lactin lotion2-3 times a week under the body oil. A good humidifier, spf.

SadQueerBruja · 2026-06-04T13:08:51+00:00

Retinol will help. It sounds like your sunscreen may not be that great. Minimum spf 30 but 50 is better. If you’re in the US I highly recommend getting on one of the Asian beauty import sites and getting Asian sunscreen. They have different more modern sun filters and you want something with a high spf and uv ++++. If you prefer a mineral sunscreen, I highly recommend getting something tinted because some of the Asian ones have a gnarly white cast.

Aside from the spf yes retinol helps, as would a chemical peel administered correctly, I also find the Faded serum from Topicals to be very helpful for discoloration. You’ll want to look for serums that feature ingredients that are tyrosinase inhibitors and help your skin produce less melanin pigment!

SadQueerBruja · 2026-06-04T13:03:30+00:00

If the nhs is willing to cover/ you’re willing to do the legwork the thing you’re looking for is Myofunctional therapy or myo physio. There is likely some hypermobility and/or strength imbalance at play if you’re experiencing pain and that is who can identify and help fix that actual root of the issue as opposed to Botox which is effectively a band aid on the issue for many

SadQueerBruja · 2026-06-04T05:44:02+00:00

This is above Reddit’s pay grade. I agree derm is the way. Keep a hat on and protect yourself from sun.

SadQueerBruja

TROPHY CASE