We turn to the experts to share what skin concerns women in their 40s face and the types of treatments that are ideal for them to begin, including Botox, dermal fillers, liquid facelifts, laser treatments, Ultherapy, and more…
Research shows that, by our 40s, our rate of collagen comes with a steeper increase compared to the average of a 1% loss of collagen per year in our 30s. Unfortunately, the rate of collagen breakdown starts to exceed production as we age, contributing to the lovely signs of aging we see when we look in the mirror over time, including thinning skin. We also experience a lower function of our oil and sweat glands, which leads to drier skin. Lifestyle and genetics and lifestyle also play an essential role in how we age.
Ideally, people begin treatment in their 20s and 30s to prevent or slow the signs of aging. Even if that is you, though, and you’re in your 40s, you still want to know you’re doing all you can to look your best. And if you’re a newbie to the world of aesthetics in your 40s, never fear–there are treatments you can begin now to support your appearance and help you turn back the hands of time.
We turn to San Antonio-based Nurse Injector Melissa Keene and Houston-Based Nurse Practitioner and Professional Injector Donna Lucarini for their expertise and insights when it comes to treatments to begin in your 40s and why.
Cosmetic Treatments for Your 40s
Keene shares, “As women move into their 40s, they potentially have established careers, the demands of their time with child/children lesson or change. With that, they have a little more disposable income and time. Thus, they put themselves first for some self-care and aesthetic treatments they may have put aside while their kids are younger and their finances a little tighter.”
The combination of disposable income and more time creates the perfect opportunity for women to take care of the skin care concerns they begin to see in their 40s or earlier.
Common skin challenges for those in their 40s
Regarding the top skin care challenges women begin to see in their 40s, Keene and Lucarini agree that static wrinkles, photo (sun) damage, and loss of facial volume are some of the top reasons this demographic turns to cosmetic and aesthetic treatments.
“Wrinkles from repetitive facial expression, sun damage, and brown spots from sun exposure that began as early as when we were in our teens are common reasons we see women in their forties at DermaTouch,” shares Lucarini.
Keene adds, “Many in their forties begin to notice some sagging from collagen loss, which leads to an overall decrease in facial volume.”
Additional skin challenges many women face in their forties include:
- Dry skin
- Adult acne
- Dull skin
- Thinning skin
Treatments to begin in your 40s: Liquid facelifts, collagen stimulation, and…
The sky’s the limit when it comes to treatment options to take care of those frustrating skin concerns, from fine lines and wrinkles and volume loss to dull skin and photodamage, including:
- Botox
- Dermal fillers
- Biostimulant filler
- Ultherapy collagen stimulation
- Laser resurfacing
- BBL (Broadband light)
- Microneedling
- Liquid facelifts
“Botox is an excellent treatment to reduce wrinkles created by repetitive muscle contractions from facial movements,” shares Lucarini, “Botox reduces the muscle activity that causes those moderate to severe lines. For sagging skin, Ultherapy is an excellent treatment to promote collagen stimulation for the production of new collagen and a natural-looking lift. Results are typically seen from three to six months and include lifting and tightening, less sagging, smoother texture, and improved contour.”
Keene adds, “Neuromodulators, like Botox, and dermal fillers are perfect for softening expression lines and re-volumizing the face. Laser resurfacing, microneedling, and Ultherapy are all great options for overall skin health and tightening. I also recommend BBL treatments for photodamage and other pigmentation concerns.”
Another treatment Keene recommends is a biostimulant filler for thinning skin. Biostimulant filler works differently than popular hyaluronic-based fillers, like Juvederm and Restylane. Juvederm and Restylane are injected into the skin and immediately add volume. Your body absorbs the filler over time, and additional filler is required to maintain results. It’s an ideal treatment for immediate results and can add volume and contour different areas of the face, including the lips, chin, cheeks, and jawline.
Biostimulant filler, or PLLA, stimulates a person’s own type 1 collagen. It’s a treatment that lasts many years, and maintenance is relatively low. This treatment can also be done in conjunction with other procedures. Examples of biostimulant fillers are Radiesse and Sculptra.
Additional common treatments women in this demographic turn to are referred to as “liquid facelifts,” which combine Botox and dermal fillers to improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, contour areas of the face, increase volume, and improve overall facial symmetry.
Taking care of your skin at home
Any at-home skincare routine should include the following steps:
- Cleanse
- Moisturize
- Hydrate
- Specialty treatments specific to your skin’s needs (e.g., serums, facial oils)
- Exfoliate with a gentle exfoliator in the evening
- Moisturize Lips
- Eye Treatment
- SPF every morning and as needed throughout the day
When it comes to the types of products you use at home, it’s essential you get the highest quality possible for your skin care needs and budget. SkinMedica is considered a medical-grade skincare line backed by science and proven results.
The two must-haves for Keene include TNS Advanced + Serum with growth factors and high-quality sunscreen. She also suggests SkinMedica’s AHA/BHA cleanser for illuminating skin and HA5 to hydrate the skin.
Like Keene, Lucarini recommends HA5 and sunscreen as must-haves for at-home skincare. “HA5 provides immediate hydration, smooths the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and supports the skin’s natural ability to replenish its hyaluronic acid. My favorite sunscreen is the Essential Defense tinted sunscreen. It offers the highest level of UVA protection with UVB coverage and has just a touch of color without clogging pores.”
Lucarini also likes the SkinMedica Lumivive System. “The overnight system recharges the skin as you sleep, and the day system defends all day against pollution and blue light.”
Schedule a Skin Consultation
To determine the best in-clinic treatments, from liquid facelifts and laser treatments to Ultherapy and Botox, and the best at-home steps and products to use, seek out your local MedSpa and schedule a consultation. Many offer free consultations or allow you to use the consultation fee to go towards your treatment selection.
Melissa Keene, BSN, RN
NURSE INJECTOR
Melissa is a San Antonio-based Register Nurse with a Bachelor’s from the University of Central Missouri. She has been a nurse injector since 2011. Her additional nursing background is in Emergency Medicine and Hospice. She specializes in overall skin health, facial balancing, and enhancing her patient’s natural anatomy. Making women and men feel their very best from the inside out has been her passion for over 12 years. Melissa invests a lot of time into continuing education. She enjoys teaching and sharing the knowledge she has gained through her years of practicing in aesthetics. Learn more about Melissa and the team of professionals she works with.
Donna Lucarini, MSN, APRN, FNP-C
PROFESSIONAL INJECTOR
Donna is a Houston-based Nurse Practitioner and Advanced Practice Nurse at DermaTouch RN with a B.S. in Nursing from UT Health Science Center Houston, a Master’s from Chamberlain College of Nursing, and a B.S. in Psychology from Sam Houston State University.
Donna finds her work in women’s health most enjoyable, whether it be in preventative medicine or cosmetic care, with a compassionate perspective to help her patients look and feel their best. Donna works with both male and female patients to provide bioidentical hormone replacement therapy and injectable cosmetic treatments, like dermal fillers and Botox. Learn more about Donna and the team of professionals she works with.
DermaTouch RN offers minimally invasive and non-invasive treatments for men and women in Houston, San Antonio, Spring and Cypress, as well as the surrounding areas of Texas. We are the largest aesthetic practice in the Houston area, and all of our medical spa treatments are performed by a team of nurse practitioners, registered nurses, and aestheticians who receive continuing education to remain abreast of emerging treatments that benefit our patients. We invite you to learn more about our office before your consultation.
