Best Ever Secret Skin Care Treatments

Skincare secret that Changed a Woman's Life

How to USE a hormone (off label)

Posted on Wednesday, August 25, 2010 on Vibrant Nation by Martha Maria

This is too good a skin care secret not to share. (And after you read it, you'll know why it's best kept a secret!) Disclaimer: I'm NOT a doctor, but I got it from a doctor a long time ago.

Okay, the other day, I wrote a blog based on the old joke, "How do you make a hormone?" I was surprised by the replies... Surprised to know there were so many versions of that nasty little joke current back in the early sixties.

Today, my topic is different, but also based upon a conversation I had many years ago. It was the 1970s and I was in my twenties.

I was working at the Atlanta Merchandise Mart, my first real job out of college. During "markets" there was always a need for temporary workers. The opportunity to work at the Merchandise Mart for a few days was highly sought by many of the society dames of Atlanta. Why? Because the Mart was a virtual treasure trove of wholesale merchandise that was CLOSED to the general public. In fact, that was my job: to examine the business credentials of persons applying for admittance. Landing a temp job at the Mart meant access to the showrooms after hours and on breaks, to search for bargains.

Anyway, there was a very beautiful and sweet woman named Millie that was a regular temp worker during markets. Millie was probably in her seventies. She was, however, the most beautiful woman I had ever seen. Not in a dolled up way either. Her hair was white and she wore sensible shoes. But she was one of those women who was blessed with the bone structure of a goddess. Even young men who checked in to the Mart often remarked on Millie's beauty. Aside from beautiful bone structure, there was one more striking thing about Millie. It was her unlined, clear and luminous skin.

One day, during a lull, I turned to Millie and asked, "Milllie, what do you use on your skin? It is SO beautiful!" And really, it's not an over statement to say that what Millie shared changed my life.

She told me that both she and her mother had used the same prescription cream for many years. They were patients of a well known dermatologist in Atlanta named Dr. H.

I had great health insurance back then, so I called Dr. H's office and got on the list. After what seemed like several weeks of waiting, I had my appointment. I liked Dr. H. immediately! He was very handsome and gentlemanly, probably in his mid fifties. There was nothing condescending in his manner, he was kind and down to earth. And he was NOT one of those doctors who writes short term prescriptions to keep you running back and paying more office fees. I left his office with three prescriptions, to be filled "as needed." On all of them, the instructions said, "use from now on." And so I have, for most of my life. And though when it comes to aging, if it's not one thing it's another, in my case, it's not my skin. I still get complements and am frequently asked, "What do you use on your skin?" I still use what Dr. H told me to use some thirty years ago. So... Enough, already!

What were those three prescriptions?

Well, the first one was a sunscreen, a lotion concocted by the pharmacist per Dr. H's instructions. That was back in the seventies when there were few commercial sunscreens. The instructions said, "use every morning, FROM NOW ON." The second prescription was also one that was mixed by the pharmacist, but the main ingredient was Retin-A. The instructions said, "use every other night, FROM NOW ON." And the third prescription, to be used EVERY night, FROM NOW ON, on face and neck was... You won't believe this... Don't say ugh, it's a very nice cream... PREMARIN VAGINAL CREAM (which is expensive as all get out now, but back in the seventies was dirt cheap.) Makes sense, doesn't it? If Premarin cream can restore youthful plumpness and elasticity to vaginal tissue, wouldn't it have the same effect on facial skin?

The answer is a resounding, "yes!"

Nowadays, there are so many products similar to Dr. H's on the market that I've made some brand name changes, but the active ingredients in the products I use are still basically the same.

I use Neutrogena sunscreen for sensitive skin every morning. I use Differin Gel (a mild prescription retinoid) every other night. On the alternate nights, I mix a dab of Pond's cream (the one formulated in Mexico with Niacinamide) with Estrace Cream (another prescription vaginal estrogen) and smear it on my face and neck after I wash, while they're still slightly damp. The only time I haven't followed Dr. H's regimen was when I was pregnant or nursing, but that's not an issue any more.

Admittedly, Differin Gel and Estrace Cream aren't cheap, but they last a long time. And since they work, I consider them a bargain.

I haven't lived in Atlanta for many years and I don't know whether Dr. H. still practices medicine or if, in fact, he is still among the living. But I do know he was way ahead of his time. Our family physician writes my prescriptions now. Yes, he knows how I use the Estrace. When I started going to him about fifteen years ago, I told him about Dr. H. and how he had told me to use the Premarin cream forever. After musing a moment, he said it actually made sense and he didn't see any harm in it--he didn't think much estrogen would actually be absorbed systemically.

So now, I have shared Millie's and Dr. H's secret with... I'm not sure, how many other women on Vibrant Nation? I'm a new blogger here and I have NO idea how many women are actually reading these little missives and stories I'm spinning. I'd enjoy hearing form you.

Be Well and Good Luck. Martha Maria