Skin in your 40s: how do I adjust as things genuinely start to change?
Volume loss, tired eyes, a jawline that's lost its snap? Your forties are often when patients finally ask "what are my options?" Between hormonal shifts and cumulative sun damage, this is the decade where a genuinely personalised, holistic plan starts to matter most.
Your forties are often when the changes become harder to ignore — not because anything has gone wrong, but because the cumulative effects of time, sun, and life start to show more visibly. This is usually the decade when patients first come to us asking what their options really are, and it's a good time to have an honest conversation.
What's happening to your skin
So let's take a look at what's happening to your skin. There's seemingly more noticeable volume loss in the cheeks and temples, and your eyes start to look drawn and tired. Skin laxity becomes more apparent, particularly along the jawline, and you realise you neglected your neck and your chest! Perimenopause may begin affecting skin for some women now, with these hormonal changes causing dryness and increased sensitivity. Plus, sun damage from earlier decades often becomes visible now.
Core skincare priorities
Core skincare priorities have to focus on increased hydration needs, along with active ingredients to support barrier function as the skin becomes more reactive. Here, we're talking ceramides, niacinamide, azelaic and hyaluronic acids, and continued retinoid use is important — although sometimes at an adjusted strength. SPF, as always, remains essential!
Where treatment options expand
This is where aesthetic treatment options start to expand and, depending on your pattern of ageing, we can target treatments to different layers of the face. Skin boosters and biostimulators such as Radiesse continue to play a role in overall skin quality, optimising cellular metabolism and health for firmer, brighter skin. Dermal filler can be used for subtle volume restoration to rebalance features, and Botulinum toxin is great for expression lines. There are, of course, energy-based treatments such as Morpheus8 for skin laxity and texture, and here being proactive tends to give better long-term results. What's important is having a holistic, personalised plan, rather than a single 'fix'.
A plan that fits your life
Balancing the demands of a growing family and/or professional life wreaks havoc with any skincare consistency or plan. If you want a straight-talking, no-nonsense plan designed to fit around your skin and your lifestyle, then why not book in for a chat?