Wednesday, 12 October 2022
In today’s blog post, we’re bringing you the story of our very own Face The Future Clinic Patient Coordinator, Clare. Clare is going to share her menopause journey with us and let us in on a few of the amazing products and in-clinic treatments that have helped her regain the balance of her menopausal skin - helping her to feel great again.
If you’ve visited our Clinic recently, you’ll have undoubtedly been greeted by Clare and her lovely smile! Believing that 'everybody should feel like a somebody’, Clare has been a well-loved member of our team since 2018. We’ll hand over to Clare to share her story and menopausal skin tips with you below.
Clare’s story
When menopause hits it can hit like a truck! This is the time in our lives when we can potentially be feeling our worst, but it doesn’t mean we can’t still look our best. I feel like I’m on a personal crusade, along with my beautiful colleagues at Face The Future Clinic, to help ladies realise and see their full potential.
As you may know, as we get in to our 40’s (sometimes earlier for some ladies), our skin starts to change. This is due to the declining levels of oestrogen and collagen that our body produces, as well as other factors including our diet and free radicals.
Scarily, we lose 1% of collagen per year pre-menopause. During the first five years of menopause, we lose 30%, and a further 2% per year post-menopause.
With this loss of collagen, our skin starts to sag around our neck, jawline, and cheeks. We also start to notice the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles as our skin becomes drier.
The hormonal changes in our body can lead to break outs, dark spots, and more pigmentation (also referred to as ‘melasma’).
It’s not all doom and gloom though, ladies! There are products and treatments that are available to help us to look and feel our best selves as we go through perimenopause, and menopause.
Noticing menopause symptoms
My personal Menopause journey started at 41. I started getting migraines (something I’d not suffered with since my teens. I felt exhausted all the time, anxiety crept in along with the hot flashes and uncontrollable emotions, amongst other things: the list is endless.
It wasn’t until after my hysterectomy in August 2018 that I started to notice the change in my skin. To me, I felt like I looked old - and I hated it.
I was very fortunate to start working at Face The Future Clinic in November 2018, so I was able to access some amazing products and treatments to help improve my skin. I have been very lucky that I haven’t really struggled with skin problems throughout my life - it’s only now I have hit menopause that I have noticed a drastic change.
Clare's pick of her best skincare for menopausal skin
Heliocare 360 Water Gel
As a sunbed user in my teens and early 20’s, I am now seeing the damage that I have done, so I always use an SPF 50 every day no matter whether rain or shine. Also, as I work on reception at our Clinic, I am constantly in front of a computer or some type of screen, so I also need protection from the blue light. I love to use Heliocare 360 Water Gel - I really like how my skin absorbs it and it doesn’t leave my skin feeling tacky or greasy, either.
Empelle Serum
During the winter months, my skin does not like the retinol I use in the warmer months of the year, so I change my routine (as we all should), to give my skin exactly what it needs. The Emepelle Serum is enriched with potent antioxidants, vitamin C, vitamin E, plus ferulic acid and plant extracts for powerful free radical defence. It contains peptides that help combat oxidative stress whilst also targeting the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and skin laxity. This serum can be used in the morning and evening to improve skin texture, and brighten, and smooth the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Empelle Night Cream
The Emepelle Night Cream is specifically formulated to utilise our skin’s nighttime repair - helping to restore vitality and luminosity to mature skin. The rich formulation safely and effectively targets the root cause of Estrogen Deficient Skin for a more healthy and youthful looking appearance. It is also enriched with a unique combination of retinoids to aid the nightly rejuvenation of skin and improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Using these two products will rejuvenate, re-balance, and restore skin affected by perimenopause and menopause, without requiring any additional products for your routine. After only a few weeks of use, my skin had more of a glow to it than it’d had in years. It felt hydrated, brighter, and firmer too. I can honestly say it does everything it promises to do.
ALLSKIN MED
During the Summer months I use ALLSKIN MED products as they are gentle yet effective in keeping my skin hydrated, glowing, and bright.
For the mornings, I use the ALLSKIN MED Gentle Cleanser, ALLSKIN MED High Potency Firming Serum, and ALLSKIN MED Firming Eye Cream along with my Heliocare 360 Water Gel. In the evenings, I use the ALLSKIN MED Gentle Cleanser, ALLSKIN MED High Potency Firming Serum, and ALLSKIN MED Ultra Renewal Serum - if my skin is feeling particularly dry, I add in ALLSKIN MED Radiance Gel.
Supplements for menopausal skin
I also take supplements on a daily basis as well as having the vitamin B12 injection (which has recently been introduced to our Clinic).
Vitamin B12 is important in the normal functioning of the nervous system and in the development of red blood cells, which is why most people choose to have regular injections to boost their overall health and wellbeing.
Vitamin B12 is found in certain foods but it can be difficult for some people to meet their vitamin B12 requirements.
Potential benefits of Vitamin B12 injections include:
- Boosting energy levels
- Improving sleep
- Improving metabolism
- Boosting the immune system
- Healthy glowing skin, hair, and nails
The main reason I chose to have the B12 injection was to help combat my extreme menopause fatigue that I struggle with every day. I can honestly say that within a few days I started to feel much better in myself in general. I wasn’t as tired as early on an evening, I noticed that my sleep was improved, and my concentration levels were increased whilst at work.
Advanced Nutrition Programme Omega 3 Fish Oil
I also take Advanced Nutrition Programme Fish Oils, which have maximum purity assist in the maintenance of a healthy heart and arteries, improving brain function, and promoting supple joints.
Advanced Nutrition Programme Skin Collagen Support
These are supplements that contain vitamin C, zinc, champagne grapeseed oil, French melon concentrate and MSM. They help to build and protected collagen and are also plant based so they are suitable for vegetarians and vegans. A few weeks after introducing these supplements, my skin felt more supple and hydrated.
Face The Future Clinic treatments to help with menopausal skin
Alongside the amazing products and supplements there are lots of treatments that can be incorporated into your routine to maximise your skin health.
Spectra Carbon Peel
This is my current favourite treatment! Also known as The Hollywood Laser Peel, this is a non-invasive treatment that uses a laser and carbon-based lotion to rejuvenate the skin and create a smooth, glowing complexion.
HydraFacial
With the ability to deeply cleanse the skin, without removing the important barrier function of the skin, the Hydrafacial gently sweeps away dead skin cells and congestion and then rebuilds the skin, using hydrating and nourishing serums.
ALLSKIN MED Dermal Rescue
This facial infuses your skin with growth factors, awakens your natural regenerative processes, and strengthens your skin. After exfoliation, epidermal micro-needling is performed to activate the skin’s healing response and maximise the penetration of a potent growth factor serum. A repairing treatment mask is applied before stimulating lifting and sculpting, or lymphatic, skin movements. This is a relaxing treatment that results in firmer, smoother skin.
iS Clinical Fire and Ice Facial
The treatment includes the peel which feels a little itchy, tingly, and hot and a ten-minute rejuvenating mask full of hydrating hyaluronic acid and repairing antioxidants. After the treatment, skin looks pink, tight, and refreshed. Skin feels clean and deeply hydrated, with a visible glow that lasts for several weeks.
Endymed Pro
This non-surgical skin tightening treatment is a form of electromagnetic energy, which is transmitted to the deeper layers of the skin. It causes our skin’s collagen to heat up and contract and start to tighten. An immediate tightening is seen after treatment with the added benefit of long-term tightening and lift as the collagen cells are stimulated, resulting in a firmer, tauter, and healthier looking skin. Radio Frequency gives us smoother, tighter skin in areas where skin is losing collagen and elastin. It helps to smooth lines and wrinkles on the face, neck and decolletage.
Micro Needling
A local anaesthetic cream is used to numb the skin, making the procedure more comfortable, and then the roller/pen produces thousands of microscopic needle columns in the skin. Each column penetrates the dermis of the skin and then closes rapidly, enabling the skin to recover very quickly. The skin then starts to naturally regenerate and repair itself below the surface. New collagen and elastin is formed, new skin cells are generated, and blood supply is enhanced. It can take up to 6 weeks before visible signs of regeneration and repair are seen, but this process will then continue over the following months, providing a gradual but long-lasting enhancement.
Laser Hair Removal
Laser hair removalElectrolysis
Profhilo
Profhilo is on my wishlist! It creates volume in the skin due to its high spreadability, and is perfect for treating the face, neck, perioral area, hands, and arms. Profhilo offers a more subtle approach to deep volumetric dermal fillers. The results develop subtly over a period of several weeks, and usually by 4 to 6 weeks, there is a definite lifting and tightening of the areas treated. Skin looks healthier, is significantly better hydrated, and looks more youthful.
Viscoderm Hydrobooster
Viscoderm Hydroboosterultrapure hyaluronic acid
It improves elasticity, radiance, and smoothness of the skin.
Botox®
I absolutely love the way my skin looks and feels after a Botox® treatment. My makeup looks flawless! At Face the Future we only use genuine Botox® produced by Allergan. Used for cosmetic purposes since 1990, Botox® is FDA approved and the most well researched Botulinum Toxin in the World.
Botox® is administered by a series of small injections into targeted muscles. Effects can be experienced after approximately 48 hours, with the full effects taking up to 14 days.
Dermal Fillers
I recently had dermal filler and absolutely love my new lips! Dermal Fillers are made of hyaluronic acid (HA) - a naturally occurring molecule we find in our skin. HA acts like a sponge, attracting water and helping to hydrate and cushion our skin cells. As we age our levels of HA drop, making our skin feel less hydrated and contributing to the development of lines and wrinkles.
The results are immediate, with areas injected looking firmer and fuller straight after injection. However, it is usual to expect some swelling and possibly mild bruising post treatment, so it can take up to two weeks to see full benefit.
Making time for self-care
So, ladies, whilst we might not be feeling as young as we once were, there is no reason not to look our best. We can all reach our full potential with some self-care and love. It’s time to put ourselves first, feel empowered and look and feel like the women we were meant to be!
For information on any of our Face The Future Clinic treatments, please visit the website here, or give our friendly Clinic team a call on 0113 282 3300.
