Turning 40 is a milestone for many of us. It is the time in life when you may suddenly find yourself cast in the role of elder statesman as opposed to the youthful life of the party. It can be disconcerting to no longer look as young as you may feel. Physically, your 40’s are a decade of considerable change when it comes to the skin and tissues everywhere on your body.
They lose noticeable elasticity and volume which may lead to deeper lines, sagging skin, and hollowness in the mid-face and/or eye area. In my Boston area practice, my approach to treating my 40 something patients is that this is the decade where we focus on your individual skin issues. My job is to come up with the right treatment plan to help you turn back the clock while still respecting the fact that you are no longer 20. Here are some options for the best aesthetic treatments for your 40’s.
Anti-Aging Skincare
If you haven’t already done so, schedule an in-person consultation with a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon, such as me, or a dermatologist in order to assess your skin’s needs. Trying the latest skincare trend on Instagram or TikTok is no longer going to cut it. In fact, choosing the wrong skincare for your unique needs may make things worse. 40 something skin is typically dryer so figuring out the right moisturizer is critical. Sunscreen is still mandatory and if you aren’t wearing a hat every time you go outside, now is the time to start. You also want to be vigilant about scheduling an annual skin cancer check with a dermatologist.
In terms of anti-aging skincare, I typically recommend a serum with some combination of:
- Vitamin C
- Peptides
- Growth Factors
This is in addition to your normal routine. Basically, we are looking for the right method to reduce stress on your skin so that it gives you the kind of radiant glow that helps you to look and feel your best.
Lifestyle Choices Important in Your 40’s
Your 40’s are also the time when lifestyle choices need to change if you want to look more youthful. Gone are the days where you can stay up all night drinking wine with your friends and not have it show up all over your face the next day. I think the most important lifestyle changes to make in your 40’s are:
- Prioritize sleep
- Embrace a healthful diet
- Stay hydrated
- Drink less alcohol
Sleep is how your body naturally restores and heals. This becomes vitally important during this decade as your skin loses more of its ability to “bounce back”. Eating a diet that is rich in multi-colored fruits and vegetables will provide your skin with rejuvenating anti-oxidants, and reducing your alcohol consumption
and drinking enough water will help to keep your skin and tissues hydrated, plump and more vital looking.
Best Aesthetic Procedures in Your 40’s in Boston
Volume loss really ramps up in your 40’s. Even those of you blessed with a full, round face are going to notice some hollowing during this decade. Replacing lost volume in the mid-face and around the eyes with an appropriate dermal filler is one of my go-to procedures for a 40 something patient. Other popular non-surgical treatments include:
- Thread lift
- Laser skin resurfacing with ablative or non-ablative laser
- Microneedling with or without Radiofrequency (RF)
- Intense Pulse Light (IPL)
- Non-surgical body contouring
Explicit content – Discretion advised.
Explicit content – Discretion advised.
One of the results of your skin and tissues losing elasticity is that your breasts may no longer look the same. For women, this often manifests as volume loss and/or nipples that face the floor while men may all of sudden find themselves with excess fatty tissue and loose skin in their chest. So, the top surgical procedures for patients in their 40’s often include:
- Breast augmentation
- Mastopexy or breast lift
- Implant revision surgery
- Gynecomastia surgery
- Liposuction
- Tummy Tuck
Again, the right choice is going to depend on your individual anatomy, desired outcome and tolerance for downtime. Many patients are initially averse to a surgical option as no one likes the idea of taking time to recover. However, at this age, the non-surgical options may not deliver the best bang for your buck. I pride myself on always being honest with my patients about what any given procedure can and cannot do. I want you to be armed with all the facts including realistic expectations as this is critical for ensuring the happy outcome that we both want. To find out more about skincare, dermal fillers, breast surgery, gynecomastia, tummy tuck, or any other surgical or non-surgical procedure with Dr. Sean Doherty at his Boston or Brookline office, contact us today or call (617) 450-0070 to schedule a consultation.