is your job aging you?

Nurses Stress 101

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my housemate is also a nurse and we both have noticed we have started looking prematurely aged since we started working in healthcare. i'm only 25 and have always been guessed to be younger, carded for entry to clubs, etc. i feel like i've aged 15 years since i started working as a nurse. i've not been working as a nurse for that long, but i know constant stress ages people. my skin looks dull and i hate looking worn out and older than i am.

has anyone else experienced this, and is there any way to avoid being aged by the stress? i eat a clean diet and work out regularly even though i always feel exhausted from work.

Specializes in ICU.

I definitely have forehead wrinkles, a couple of under-eye wrinkles, and I have recently developed some faint lines along that divide between the cheeks and the nose/mouth area. Definitely not liking what I am seeing! :( I still get mistaken for younger than I am. I'm guessing that's probably due to the foundation I use. It's a little hard for me to figure out how people think I am still in my early 20s (I am 26) when I have WRINKLES!

It doesn't help that I have a ton of acne partially from the form of birth control I use and stress. I feel like it's going to be a nightmare switching from anti-acne to anti-aging stuff. I'm probably going to be broken out all of the time. If I could just find something that tackles both wrinkles and acne, I'll be good to go!

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Specializes in Med nurse in med-surg., float, HH, and PDN.

Some of it is genetic, some of it is stress and weird schedules, some of it is....just age!

I looked 25 until I was 45 and the the dreaded menopause set in.

It's taken me ten years to get used to looking my age.

Some say I don't, but my skin says otherwise now.

It's my long hair which is still more brown than not, and my lighthearted personality that fools folks.

Just as long as I don't get a short haircut with a tightly curled grey-blue perm, I'll pass as a few years younger than I am.

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@ calivianya.Have you tried using treitnoin 0.025% or 0.05%. it prevents acne but not sebum production. the dermatologist told me it's the best for pigment. i'm also worried about fine lines around the nose/mouth area.

It seems like 25 is the age when it's a good idea to start being careful. i wished i had started in middle school like a lot of Asian girls. I started about a year go when I burned my face and saw a few spots and now I'm obsessed about skincare. My skin has definitely improved if not worsened. I know this sounds very extreme but avoid the sun at all costs. i don't even like to open curtains because the UV, especially aging UVA can come in. I always use sunscreen, and reapply it every two hours no matter what. even previous tanning I heard can still have negative effects for 10 yrs. I also use an umbrella when I walk in the sun and I wear a hat. sometimes CA is just so dry, I use a facial mist/toner that's sprayed to keep my face moisturized and cool. previously, I also used foundation, but foundation is THE WORST for skin so I stopped using it. Substitute it for BB cream/BB cushion and then use a setting powder.

Has anyone tried the 11 step Korean skincare routine? I definitely do not do that. I came up with my own combination and I play around with it. Japanese skincare routine is also good

Here's mine

Daytime:

Astringent on acne spots and oily prone areas.

toner. Kiehl's has some alcohol free ones.

The serum or le serum from cle de peau

hydroquinone 4% on spots

cle de peau brightening serum on same spots

wait a little

shiseido bioperfroamance advanced super revitalizing cream

moisturizer

eye cream. kiehl's avocado eye cream or shiseido beneficiance wrinkle resist 24 (this is very oily/moisturizing and good particularly if you live in a dry area such as LA)

wait

sunscreen

wait

base before BB cream that has UV protection

night:

sometimes I'll use a wash off mask that may exfoliate. if not then I skip to Astringent on acne spots and oily prone areas again then

toner. Kiehl's has some alcohol free ones.

The serum or le serum from cle de peau (if not i use a sheet mask for 25 mins)

hydroquinone 4% on spots

cle de peau brightening serum on same spots

wait a little

serum reviviant from cle de peau

moisturizer

eye cream again

every other day laneige wrinkle filler

treitnoin 0.025% every day

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Specializes in Med nurse in med-surg., float, HH, and PDN.

And don't rub your eyes, pulling at the skin when removing eye make up. Over time it really DOES make a difference! I speak from experience!

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Specializes in ICU.
@ calivianya.Have you tried using treitnoin 0.025% or 0.05%. it prevents acne but not sebum production. the dermatologist told me it's the best for pigment. i'm also worried about fine lines around the nose/mouth area.

I'll have to give it a try. I will try anything at this point. Your routine is really extensive. I don't think I have that much energy to throw into skin care.

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Specializes in ER.

12 hour shifts kill in my opinion but no one offers anything else in my immediate area for ER. I'm cutting down on the time at least of traveling.

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Specializes in ER, Med Surg, Ob/Gyn, Clinical teaching.

I have same issues.. Before I moved to my family here in US, I had never. I mean NEVER had acne.. Im in my early 30's and people used to always compliment my face and my skin. I cant say if they do so now. :unsure: I have developed HORRIBLE cystic acne.. WIth stubborn dark spots.. I work at nights.. I am often tired, hate the daylight sun.. and I mean the list is endless...

I am trying to deal with this but it is soooo difficult.. the 12 hour shifts the anxiety of having to care and watch out for you patients, dealing with co-workers with horrible attitude.. I feel like I am gradually loosing my interest in nursing even though, I swore to my dad that I was going to be a nurse against his wish...:(

PS..

I have tried lots and lots and lots of antiacne preparations.. As I am typing this comment, I am on my way to get a facial scrub brush from Walmart,,.. I decide to "quit" my relationship with all those chemicals-- just started using tea tree oil and pure aloe vera gel and my moisturizer..

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
I have developed HORRIBLE cystic acne.. WIth stubborn dark spots..
Have you seen a dermatologist or other type of physician regarding this condition? You do not have to live with cystic acne in this day and age when so many options exist.
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My knees and back are still good at 50 but I hear of floor nurses having premature problems. I would believe that long stressful shifts on your feet or sitting with disturbed sleep would age a person's body. And I believe a 25 yr old shift nurse will emotionally age faster in general than a student working as a barista. No mystery there.

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Hi there,

I too have felt this more recently. I have not been nursing as long either about 2.5 years.

I am finding that my skin looks more dehydrated and I feel that I'll try to get a good night's rest but I am too busy worrying about the patients I've left at the hospital.

I know breathing techniques should help and just trying to leave work at work should help but this too is still difficult for me.

Some tips that I am trying (and some seem to help) are:

1. If you are wearing make-up is to ALWAYS WASH IT OFF, ALWAYS! Not doing so furthers dehydration and of course causes to

unwanted blemishes to appear

2. Find a good moisturizer that caters to your skin type and when out in the sun always use a moisturizer with SPF as well as an

SPF lip balm (we don't want to neglect those)

3. Drink lots of water

4. Get plenty of rest and I can't stress this enough. I, too, am always trying to get used to this.

Another piece of advice that I received from my Occ. Health and Safety department was that it could be a change of scenery that you may need such as a different department or institution altogether.

I hope that this helps somewhat! Take care!

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yes, makeup removal is very important! your face can become clogged and makeup may have a lot of chemicals. i highly suggest missha's green tea makeup remover.

missha perfect cover BB cream works really well and you can find it online for decent price. i set my T-zone with innisfree no sebum mineral compact.

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Botox, peels, facials, good moisturizer, lots of water, fruits and vegetables, exercise, love and laughter!

I might get a lot of flack for mentioning Botox, however once or twice a year, a little bit in the forehead can do wonders!

Sent from my iPhone using allnurses

Wendy

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