GAME CHANGERS FOR SKIN AND HAIR

2024 was a year of discovery for me relative to skincare and my thinning hair. Expensive products and supplements were swapped for what I should have been using all along. Prescription strength is the new me. Introducing Tretinoin and estrogen creams has significantly changed the texture and tone of my skin within months. I’m rotating a little Hydroquinone in too. Combine that with being hyper-diligent about European SPF, and I can see a difference. My experience with retinal in the past always resulted in dry, flakey skin, so I’d stop. I finally practiced patience and eased into a conservative application, slowly increasing frequency as my skin became more tolerant. Topical estrogen cream has helped the thin tissue under my eyes feel more resilient. Dr. Ellen Gendler and Mrs. Derm talk about all of these products in depth on their Instagram accounts. I bounce their ideas off my own doctor and get prescriptions as needed. Last year, I went through a major shedding phase with my hair. I was already using a topical prescription strength concoction of Minoxidil, Finasteride and Tretinoin but that didn’t seem to help – and it was messy. My dermatologist put me on oral Minoxidil and Spironolactone. The shedding didn’t stop immediately but within a few months I could see a difference in the quality and health of new growth. I’m never expecting to have a glorious mane of hair, but I feel like I’m on a path to at least regain some of the youthful quality of my thin hair. It’s stronger, shinier and less fragile. That’s good enough for me. No more Nutralfol (four big pills a day!) or Viviscal Pro.

SUNSCREEN:

La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVMUNE 400 Invisible Fluid Fragrance-Free SPF50+

La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVMUNE 400 Oil Control Gel-Cream SPF50+

I use both formulations of LRP Anthelios UVMUNE.  Lately, the Oil-Control Gel-Cream is preferred because of its matte finish. I buy online from Care to Beauty. They have a great selection of European skincare available to ship to the US. I also purchased ISDIN Fotoprotector Invisible Stick SPF50 and have it in my car or bag for touch ups on the go.

If you’re going to Europe, the prices are the same so there’s no need to stock up on these exact products, but get as many as you can of the La Roche-Posay Anthelios Invisible Mist Ultra-Light SPF50+. I can’t find a company that ships the spray to the US. I carried one in my bag in Italy and Croatia last summer and loved the ease of reapplication throughout a day of exploring.

Ultra Violette is another option, but in my experience harder to get in the US. I put an order through Harrods last year on some of the bestsellers. I layer them on top of LRP if I’m expecting to be exposed all day (vacations mostly). They smell amazing. Favorites in this line up are Preen Screen SPF50+ Mist (not sure if they still ship) and Lean Screen Mineral Mattifying SPF50+ (fragrance free).

SKINCARE:

Get Tretinoin from your dermatologist. It’s very affordable when covered by insurance. Other options are Alloy or Musely. You’ll have an online consultation with a doctor who will then write you a prescription. They’re also good sources for the prescription hair loss medications I’m taking and others.

READ MORE:

Dr. Ellen Gendler on topical estrogen, European sunscreens, practicing good skincare.

Mrs. Derm with thorough discussions on sunscreen, retinoids, hair loss, and skincare basics.