Our skin's collagen starts to decline approximately 1% a year at the age of 25. In addition, a woman's collagen decreases 30% in the first five years of menopause.
This sudden decline creates tremendous visible changes. The shift in hormones cause things like dry, crepey skin or hormonal acne. The bones in our faces start to shrink, the connective tissue and supportive fat pads decline, so our skin starts to sag which shows up as jowls. The shape of our faces start to shift to a more square, droopy appearance. Our lips get thin and disappear. The appearance of the muscles are amplified because the skin is thinning which creates a harsh or sour look.
Some women find it difficult to celebrate getting older as the gift that it is when we see these significant changes happening so quickly.
It's not too late. There are ways to curb this and take back some pieces of yourself. Of course prevention is the most powerful tool, however, for the Gen X'ers who arrived to the party a little late, these are the things that you can start.
Start a quality physician-grade skin care program.
Using quality ingredients like Vitamin C serums, peptides, retinol, glycolic acid, lactic acid, brightening creams and moisturizers that address the lipid layer of the skin can make wonderful difference. Try skin cycling to kickstart the regenerating process. My favourite lines are still Vivier and SkinCeuticals. The price point is good and you can't beat the results that people get when they use the appropriate product.
Start getting collagen induction treatments twice a year.
Simple procedures like microneedling or Radio Frequency microneedling can boost collagen synthesis. The procedure reorganizes old collagen fibers and forces the body to lay down new collagen fibers. Some patients see visible results after 3 weeks but most see more significant results after 3 or 6 months. A series of three RF-microneedling treatments held one month apart gives the best results. A patient can expect a few days of down time. Watch my TikTok video to see my healing process. Check out the RF device we use at Visage Clinical Beauty.
Start treating the muscles with Botox or a neuromodulator.
By using a neuromudulator like Botox you can relax the muscles that pull down the eyebrow, cause the creases in your forehead, relax the muscles that cause the lines around your eyes. Which smooths the skin and opens your eyes which gives a person a "brighter" more fresh appearance. Click this TikTok video or Instagram reel to see and example.
Start using hyaluronic acid injectables to your advantage.
By replacing lost volume in the areas that add structure can help shape the face back to where is was. Also, by using appropriate products for the layers and areas that we are addressing can help a person look less tired and more refreshed. I'm lucky that I have many types of filler to choose from. So I can give my clients natural looking results that last anywhere from a year to two years.
If you are interested in any of these treatments or have any questions, I am happy to help.
