Last week I had my bi-annual dermatology appointment. You may wonder why I go twice a year. Let me tell you the story.
Melanoma
In 2004, my husband and I were taking my son to the dermatologist every few weeks for warts. It happened to be my turn to go with my junior high school son to the doctor. I am expecting everything to be routine. It’s a beautiful summer day, get my son his treatment and we leave, what could go wrong? Not so fast. The doctor, to his credit, notices a very small spot on my calf. Literally, this spot is about as big a pin head or a small nail head – tiny! He asks if I would like it biopsied or does he want me to come back in 6 months to recheck. At the time, I am juggling work and kids. I ask that he biopsy it now. Two days later I get the call that I have melanoma.
If you google for melanoma, here is what you get:
At this point, I have no idea what stage of cancer I have, has it spread or what kind of treatment I need. I’m a wreak. The doctor tells me that he needs to operate, and we might need to take out lymph nodes and more. He did not give me a definitive stage for the cancer. I call my father crying and he convinces me to get a second opinion. I find this amazing doctor – Dr. Kelly Berggren and I learn that my case of melanoma is “in-situ” – not even stage 1. That means surface level. We caught it early. I still need an operation, and the doctor needs to take margins (meaning cutting out additional healthy skin to make sure we get all the cancer), but it is not in my lymph nodes.
Today, I have been cancer free for 21 years! That is why I still see a dermatologist twice a year! I recommend that EVERYONE see a dermatologist for a skin check at least once a year!
Dermatologist recommended skincare:
One of the benefits of going to the dermatologist twice a year is that I can ask what they recommend as the best skin care products to help slow the aging process. My good friend and I are on a quest to find the best products. No botox, no fillers, no surgeries. Just skin care products or non-evasive treatments.
Treatments
- Hydration facials – they work well to infuse additional hydration into the skin but needs to be done at least monthly for results.
- Average cost $85 to $100.00.
- Microdermabrasion – A treatment that will help reduce dead skin cells. It makes your face feel smooth and more radiant for about 2 days. Then I feel it goes back to normal.
- Average cost $85 to $100.00
- Morpheus 8 Treatment– This is what the Kardashians were doing to reduce wrinkles. Morpheus pairs microneedling with radiofrequency energy to get below the skin line and allow your body to naturally generate more collagen. The main target for my treatments were my undereye bags. I had these treatments with my eye doctor. The treatments are intense! They give you numbing cream for the area but because the under eyes are so sensitive I ended up getting a shot of Novocain to numb the area. When you are done you will look like you just came out of a boxing match with Mike Tyson. The bruising and swelling lasts 3-5 days. Then it calms down, and you can put make-up on to cover up the redness.
- Cost: $2,400 for 4 sessions. Individual sessions are closer to $800.00. I completed 4 sessions over about a year. I saw a little improvement but not a lot. My eye doctor wanted to do some additional filler to make it better and I opted not to.
- Moxi Treatment – This treatment is a laser treatment that works to give the patient a more even skin tone, reduce dark spots and have more radiant skin. I had the treatment on a Monday. Because it is a laser treatment, you skin will peel, and new skin is generated. My skin looked younger, brighter and more even toned. It will not reduce wrinkles but if you have sun damage it will repair all the sun damage.
- Cost $500.00 (totally worth it!)
After meeting with my dermatologist this week, she recommended a microneedling treatment for reducing wrinkles (as opposed to Morpheaus8) to create more collagen at a much lower price of about $400.00 per session. I am going to try that in September and will report back!
Products
Now for the products. I have some really good products that I have personally tested and they work great! Below is a chart of the products I use, when I use them, and affiliate links (see affiliate disclosure below).
Powerful Wrinkle Reducers
- We have all heard that Retinal is one of the best skincare products to reduce fine lines, wrinkles and help improve collagen. I use two – one is a prescription (ask your dermatologist) and the other can be purchased on Amazon:
- Tazarotene Creme – 0.1% – prescription required – use at night before bed. Personally, I cannot use it daily because it makes my skin flake too much. I use it Mon, Weds & Friday only.
- Avene Retinal 0.1 – use at night before bed. Amazon link here https://amzn.to/412aoMZ
Skincare – Day to Day Support
- TNS Advanced Serum is the best peptide serum for daily use. I use it all over my entire face and on my neck. It really helps smooth the skin and reduce fine lines. I see this especially around my mouth. TNS can also be found on Amazon SkinMedica TNS. It is pricey at $295.00/bottle but it will last 4-6 months. You only need a little.
- In combination with TNS Advanced Serum, I use Revision Skincare’s, Nectifirm Advanced (Link Here). It helps keep your neckline looking younger as well.
- Alastin has become another favorite of mine. I several of their products including the Ultra Nourishing Moisturizer, The Hydratint Pro Mineral Sunscreen and the Restorative Eye Treatment.
- An additional Alastin product that I used before and after my Morpheus8 treatments and continue to use regularly to smooth the skin is the Alastin Regenerating Skin Nectar. It helps repair the skin after any treatment. I highly recommend!
Facial Sunscreen
- While I like the silky feeling of the Alastin Hydratint Pro Mineral Sunscreen – my dermatologist asked that I use the ISDIN Photo Eryfotone Ageless Ultralight Emulsion SPF 50. Not only does it protect your skin from the sun, but it actually helps reverse existing sun damage.
Recap: Wendy’s Tried & True Skincare Picks:
| Product | Use | When to Apply | Why I Love It | Affiliate Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tazarotene Cream 0.1% (Rx) | Wrinkle Reducer | Night (3x/week) | Prescription-strength retinoid; stimulates collagen and reduces fine lines | Ask your dermatologist |
| Avene Retrinal 0.1 | Wrinkle Reducer | Night | Gentle yet effective retinal option; smoother skin without as much peeling | Buy on Amazon |
| TNS Advanced+ Serum | Daily Peptide Serum | Morning & Night | Smoother, firmer skin—especially around mouth and cheeks | Buy on Amazon |
| Revision Nectifirm Advanced | Neck Firming Cream | Morning & Night | Tightens and improves texture of neck area | Buy on Amazon |
| Alastin Regenerating Skin Nectar | Post-Treatment Recovery | After treatments | Helps skin heal faster, smooths texture | Buy on Amazon |
| Alastin Restorative Eye Treatment | Eye Cream | Morning & Night | Reduces puffiness and fine lines under eyes | Buy on Amazon |
| Alastin Ultra Nourishing Moisturizer | Daily Moisturizer | Morning & Night | Deep hydration without heaviness | Buy on Amazon |
| Alastin HydraTint Pro Mineral SPF 36 | Facial Sunscreen + Tint | Morning | Glowy, lightweight protection with a hint of color | Buy on Amazon |
| ISDIN Eryfotona Ageless SPF 50 | Facial Sunscreen | Morning | Dermatologist-recommended; reverses sun damage | Buy on Amazon |
Note: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. That means if you make a purchase, I may earn a small commission—at no extra cost to you. It’s one of the ways I support this blog and continue sharing helpful content. Thank you for your support!
Final Thoughts: Take Charge of Your Skin—At Any Age
Skincare after 60 is about more than just vanity—it’s about self-care, protection, and feeling confident in your own skin. I’ve learned that a consistent skincare routine, supported by expert advice, can help you age with grace and radiance. Whether you’re recovering from sun damage (like I was), aiming to smooth out fine lines, or just want to feel a bit more vibrant each morning, there’s a mix of treatments and products out there that can truly help.
And remember, it’s never too late to start taking better care of your skin. If you’re unsure where to begin, start with a dermatologist visit. Prevention is powerful—I’m living proof.
Let’s Keep the Conversation Going
I hope my story and these skincare recommendations inspire you to take action—whether that’s booking your next skin check or trying a new product.
If you enjoyed this post and want more tips like it, I invite you to subscribe to OverSixtyInsights for weekly inspiration, wellness advice, and lifestyle ideas tailored to life after 60.
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Here’s to healthy skin and beautiful aging—on your own terms. 💛