The menopause can be a challenging time for women in their 40s and 50s, bringing with it a myriad of physical and emotional changes that can significantly impact on that all important sense of self. Typically occurring between the ages of 45 and 55, you might suddenly find yourself feeling lost and like you’re not really sure who you are any more, and it’s all thanks to falling sex hormones oestrogen, progesterone and even testosterone, which can result in everything from irregular menstrual cycles (which eventually stop completely) and hot flashes to fatigue and emotional symptoms. All together, they can mean it’s quite the rollercoaster to navigate, and often, menopause can go on for several years before it is complete. Add to that potential weight gain and skin and hair, as well as for some, a loss of libido, and it’s easy to understand why for many women, the entire process results in a devastating loss of confidence.
But there are ways to feel like you again, and it all starts with self love – which of course, can be easier said than done, but really is the key to happiness through menopause and beyond. While for some, that means practicing daily affirmations in the mirror and reading books centered around personal growth, a growing number of women are turning instead to aesthetic treatments to give them a new lease of life when they feel they need it the most – and allow them to embrace this transformative stage of life with grace and a retained sense of vitality.
The aesthetic appeal
Increasingly, aesthetic treatments designed to target the signs of ageing that are often exacerbated by the hormonal fluctuations of menopause, like wrinkles, sagging skin and volume loss, are becoming seen as the ultimate expression of self care. At a time when many women find themselves grappling with a sense of insecurity about their appearance, aesthetic treatments offer a holistic approach to addressing menopause-induced confidence loss, empowering women to feel more comfortable and confident in their bodies.
It’s not about conforming to unrealistic beauty standards or denying the natural aging process. Rather, it’s a form of self-care that is rooted in self-love and empowerment. By enhancing their natural beauty through procedures like botox, dermal fillers, and skin rejuvenation therapies such as chemical peels, many menopausal women are choosing to embark on a journey of self-discovery and self-acceptance, and finding that it’s just the tonic they’ve been seeking.
Breaking the stigma
Despite their popularity these days, aesthetic treatments like these still come with a certain level of stigma attached – but considering the benefits they offer to women going through the menopause, it’s slowly but surely being broken. Societal pressures can be confusing, dictating that women age gracefully and naturally – but at the same time, there is a pressure to retain that same youthful appeal of your younger years. Nevertheless, in 2024, women in this age bracket are turning their backs on what is expected of them, and are instead loving themselves enough to choose the path that they believe will make them feel their very best. While for some, it’s the natural approach, for others, it means finding that a subtle ‘tweakment’ here and there is enough to give them a fresher and more rejuvenated look, and in turn, that much-needed confidence boost.
According to online aesthetics store Fox Pharma, treatments like SKINPROJECT’s Nano Peel are experiencing a surge in demand amongst women in their 40s and 50s thanks to their ability to resurface the skin to reveal a youthful glow. These non-invasive treatments offer a happy medium, affording women an indulgent option that gets results but doesn’t rely on fillers and other more extreme treatments to get them.
It’s common for women of all ages to feel a sense of shame or embarrassment about seeking cosmetic interventions, but in today’s modern world, treatments like these are the perfect solution. No longer the taboo it once was for older women, leading aesthetics treatments are reporting record numbers of bookings for treatments like these, and it’s easy to see why.
Breaking down barriers
Through fostering open and honest conversations about the role of aesthetics in self-care, barriers around the topic are slowly but surely being broken down, and in turn, it’s empowering women to make informed decisions about their well-being.
Education plays a crucial role in dispelling myths and misconceptions around subjects like this one, and for women to be able to explore their options confidently and without judgment, there needs to be a greater understanding of what popular aesthetic treatments really are, how they work and how they can help, as well as accurate information about safety, efficacy, and the benefits being made easily accessible to those considering taking the plunge.
Whether that means embracing aesthetic treatments as a legitimate form of self care, or deciding to go it alone, the right choice all comes down to the individual. But opportunities abound, and for some, it’s all a case of needing to learn.
Redefining self-care
The idea of prioritising our wellbeing is nothing new, and in fact, wellness has proved to be a huge trend over recent years for both women and men of all ages. Just as we prioritise physical exercise, nutrition, and mental health, caring for our appearance is an integral aspect of overall wellness, and getting your hair cut, your nails done and your eyebrows shaped are regular appointments that a large proportion of the female population keep up without question.
Aesthetic treatments simply offer an extension of what traditional beauty treatments do, and similarly, they are not all about vanity. That feeling of stepping out of a salon with a fresh, swishy blow dry is a prime example; it doesn’t just look good, but feels it too – and this, it seems, is also a large part of the appeal of aesthetics.
The bottom line
Going through the menopause can be an experience that is marked with ups and downs, and if ever there was a time to give yourself the love and care you deserve, then this is it. Aesthetic treatments can serve as valuable tools for regaining confidence and embracing this transformative stage of life, and by addressing common concerns such as wrinkles, sagging skin, and volume loss, they can empower women to feel more comfortable and confident in their bodies. Ultimately though, it all comes down to personal choice, and it’s about doing what’s right for you. If you feel your best taking the natural approach then there are no doubts to be had – but for those who don’t, there are options.
