Skin Sense

I am 35 and I had Botox injections in the eye contour lines which worked perfectly on the crow's feet lines but not on the under-eye wrinkles, which are deep in my case and make me look 10 years older. What do you recommend as a solution for this area? And do you have any idea which of these two products for might be better: the Flavo-C or the Obagi?

Thanks a lot. - L.K.

The under-eye area is often a challenge to treat. Botox does work wonders for crow's feet, or smile lines, next to the eye, but it doesn't do as much for lines on the lower eyelid under the eye. If there are dark shadows and hollowing out under the eye, then injecting a filler such as Restylane, Juvederm or Sculptra can help a lot.

Restoring volume in this area can help with the lines as well. In addition, using an eye cream to keep the skin hydrated will help it look better. However, there isn't one cream that is necessarily better than all the others, and none of them work miracles.

Both of the creams you mention have moisturizers and antioxidants in their ingredient lists, and would be reasonable choices for eye creams. Another reasonable choice would be Vichy RetiC, with retinol and Vitamin C.

I am 80 years old and do not have wrinkles on my face.

I never used any cream until a year ago and then only in winter and not regularly. I wash my face once a day and if I have no makeup on, I wash only with water -- and only in the morning. I have often wondered why some women -- like some of my sisters, do not have wrinkles while others do.

But I discovered I do have wrinkles on my forearms just below the elbow. I suspect that for years, after showering, I splashed eau de cologne in those areas. I don't mind the wrinkles but is it possible that the cologne did that job?

And just a little something: Years ago my four-year-old grandniece was sitting on her mother's lap and ran a finger over her mother's facial wrinkles, and asked Mommy, what are these designs on your face? - S.D.

First of all, there is no disputing the role that genetics plays in aging. Some people don't get as many wrinkles as other people of the exact same age. Some of this is due to environmental and behavioral factors, particularly factors such as sun exposure and cigarette smoking.

Some of the difference is due to factors which we inherit from our parents, most of which we don't understand yet. If you want some idea of how your skin is likely to age, take a look at your parents. This has a lot more to do with it than your choice soap or cleanser you use.

In terms of wrinkles on the upper arms, this is a very common place for skin to thin and develop lines. It is unlikely that eau de cologne caused it. Your niece is charming.

If only we all continued to think of our wrinkles as designs, we might not need to expend so much time, effort and money minimizing them!