Four Top Treatments in Your Forties

In 2023, the bulk of all plastic surgery procedures performed by doctors were on patients aged 35 to 50. Cosmetic enhancements are popular among people in their 40s as they’re settling into a time when signs of getting older become more pronounced, and aging gracefully means something different to everyone. By the time we hit our 40s, our natural collagen levels have dropped significantly, leading to our skin losing laxity and exacerbating the look of fine lines and wrinkles. Our metabolism also drastically changes after four decades, making it easier to put on weight and more challenging to lose it. A healthy diet and frequent exercise can help ease many of the symptoms of getting older. Still, from minimally invasive rejuvenation like dermal fillers to more complex procedures like mommy makeovers and mini facelifts, there are various options for everyone’s definition of graceful aging. Barrett Beverly Hills offers a suite of options for patients in their 40s, including both minimally invasive and full-body procedures. Keep reading to learn more about the top four cosmetic treatments to get in your 40s.

1. Minimally Invasive Skincare

While some are keen to jump straight into complex surgical procedures in their 40s, it’s okay to start small and address surface-level transformations before diving into the deep end. After years of makeup, sunshine, dirt, and debris, our skin goes through a lot by the time we reach our second act as adults, and unlike the new generations, we didn’t all grow up with extensive skincare routines. Preventative care can only go so far, so some opt for more intensive treatments, including chemical peels, esthetician-approved dermatological products, and collagen treatments. 

Collagen Induction Therapy is a treatment that utilizes tiny needles to make miniature punctures in the skin to trigger the body’s natural healing response, which includes increased collagen production. Collagen makes up 30% of our body’s protein and provides structure for our skin, bones, and muscles. But as we get older, our natural protein production gradually slows, changing the look and feel of our skin. Lifestyle choices like smoking, constant sun exposure, and high-sugar diets also impact collagen levels. Barrett Beverly Hills pairs this treatment with PRP (platelet-rich plasma) for optimized results, faster healing, and increased long-term stimulation. While patients will often see improvement after the first treatment, significant results begin to appear after 2-3 treatments, coinciding with the body’s natural production of collagen, and will continue to improve for 6-12 months.

Benefits of collagen induction therapy include:

• Improved overall skin tone and texture
• Targets fine lines and wrinkles
• Increased radiance
• Treats acne scarring, rosacea, sun damage, and inflammation

CO2 Resurfacing is an excellent option for stimulating new cell growth and improving skin clarity and collagen production. The CO2 laser is the gold standard for skin resurfacing and uses fractionated laser technology to target various skin imperfections and assist with scar revision. This treatment uses targeted light beams to remove the epidermis, which is the top layer of the patient’s skin. Once the epidermis is vaporized, the second layer of skin, called the dermis, heats up and stimulates collagen growth, making the new, healed skin smooth and firm. Results are seen immediately and continue to improve in the following days. Barrett Plastic Surgery offers CO2 resurfacing through a treatment called Barrett Luminosity, administered in three stages for optimal results.

CO2 resurfacing targets:

• Irregular skin tone or texture
• Hyperpigmentation, melasma, sun spots, and freckles
• Enlarged pores
• Shallow scarring and stretch marks
• Fine lines and wrinkles

2. Mommy Makeover

Another symptom of aging is a decrease in fertility as most women enter menopause between 45 and 55. With child-bearing years in the past, Mommy Makeovers tend to be popular with the 40+ crowd who have finished having kids and are ready for body rejuvenation. The impact of pregnancy combined with the effects of aging often results in excess skin and stretch marks, deflated breasts, increased weight gain, and separation of the abdominal muscles. Mommy Makeovers are customizable surgeries tailored to the patient’s unique body needs after pregnancy. Here are examples of popular procedures often included in a Mommy Makeover:

Breast Augmentation: Both gestation and post-partum breastfeeding significantly impact a mother’s body, making breast augmentation a frequent element of a Mommy Makeover. But everyone’s needs are different — whether the patient wants to reduce the size of their breasts, change the shape, or adjust the placement, there is a procedure to fit their goals. In some instances, procedures can be combined for ideal results. 

• Lifts are ideal for patients experiencing dropping and are often combined with other procedures
• Implants can be used to increase cup size and enhance the shape of breasts
• Fat transfers utilize liposuction to graft excess fat from other body areas for a more natural option for increasing cup size
• Reductions are popular for patients looking to decrease their cup size

Tummy Tuck: As babies grow and develop, they expand their mother’s abdominal walls to accommodate their size. As a result, some women experience diastasis recti, which occurs when the abdominal muscles in the stomach separate, leading to noticeable physical changes and discomfort. About 60% of people develop the condition, and while it can repair itself within eight weeks after delivery, around 40% of people still deal with it six months post-partum and may opt to get it surgically corrected. Abdominoplasties are a surgical procedure that eliminates loose skin and fat while tightening the muscles in the abdominal area when necessary. Barrett Plastic Surgery uses a double reinforcement plication technique that ensures the abdominal wall repair doesn’t relax over time and a meticulous five-layer closure method to minimize tension and scarring. 

Liposuction: The older we get, the easier it is to put on weight and the harder it is to lose excess weight, especially in stubborn areas like the midsection, flanks, and arms — and it gets progressively harder to lose weight after each pregnancy. Liposuction is a quick and temporary way to eliminate excess fat and achieve a more sculpted body contour in specific areas. In some Mommy Makeovers, liposuction is used for fat grafting to create an hourglass body contour.

Brazilian Butt Lift: BBLs are often incorporated in Mommy Makeovers for those looking to rejuvenate their backside and accentuate their hourglass figure. The procedure involves using liposuction techniques to remove excess fat from one body area to the buttocks for increased volume and a more rounded shape. The surgeon may also lift the skin to correct drooping. 

3. Mini Face Lift

Most people naturally produce enough collagen in their 20s and 30s to internally combat fine lines and wrinkles, but in the fourth decade of life, it becomes more difficult for our cells to replenish themselves. By our 40s, there is a significant shift in our appearances, reflecting years of emotion, expression, and external wear and tear. Though the change in our faces isn’t as dramatic as when we enter the geriatric years, there is a definite difference in the look and feel of our skin. Full facelifts are an extremely complex procedure, and most people do not need that level of tightening until they reach their 50s or 60s. 

Mini facelifts are a modification of a traditional facelift that specifically targets the lower part of the face, neck, and jawline. The procedure eliminates sagging, loose skin and targets deep creases in the midface. It’s still a surgical procedure, but the surgeon makes relatively minor changes, mildly tightening and lifting the face, instead of total reconstruction. Traditional facelifts are more comprehensive and may address the jowls, but both are anti-aging surgical procedures that remove excess skin, smooth wrinkles, and restore elasticity. Mini facelifts are a step further than filler and Botox but less invasive than a traditional facelift, concentrating only on the lower third of the face and requiring smaller incisions. To perform a mini facelift, the surgeon will make small incisions in the hairline, around the upper portion of the ear, or encircling the earlobe. Then, the underlying muscle and tissue are repositioned through the opening to remove excess loose skin. 

4. Dermal Fillers and Neuromodulators

Some people prefer to embrace the lines and wrinkles that appear after years of living and simply want minor rejuvenation while still looking their age. Injectables are excellent preventative care but can also be utilized as a “tweakment.”

Dermal fillers are ideal for patients looking to reverse or prevent signs of aging, add or replenish volume, or correct minor imperfections like shallow scarring or asymmetries. Fillers are safe for all skin types and tones, with a very low risk of irritation or allergic reaction. Master injectors at Barrett Beverly Hills have completed the highest level of medical training and are committed to understanding your goals and concerns to give safe, natural-looking, and long-lasting results. *Dermal fillers should not be used to change your appearance drastically and cannot give permanent results. 

Cosmetic neuromodulators like Botox are ideal for patients looking to address signs of aging, smooth fine lines and wrinkles, and reduce the chance of future wrinkles forming. Cosmetic neuromodulators are injectable toxins that prevent muscles from moving for a limited amount of time by blocking nerve signals. Some practitioners believe Botox can prevent wrinkles from forming altogether, making it an attractive treatment for patients in their 30s. Since Botox targets muscles responsible for facial expression, and the majority of wrinkles form from repetitive movement (think about smile lines, crow’s feet, and frown lines), preventive Botox may reduce any pending wrinkles. These injections are safe for most patients when administered by a trained provider. Botox can also be used for medical conditions like migraines, excessive sweating, and TMJ disorders. 

If you are looking for a great anti-aging supplement, you may want to check out NMNH. NMNH (Nicotinamide Mononucleotide Hydrochloride) is a molecule that has gained significant attention for its potential anti-aging benefits. It is a precursor to NAD+ (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide), a vital molecule involved in energy production, DNA repair, and cellular health. As we age, NAD+ levels naturally decline, which contributes to cellular aging, decreased energy, and a reduction in the body’s ability to repair DNA and maintain overall health. NMNH works by replenishing NAD+ levels, which in turn supports healthier mitochondria, the energy-producing structures within cells. Improved mitochondrial function can enhance energy levels, cognitive function, and resilience to age-related cellular stress. Taking NMNH in your 40s may be particularly beneficial, as it could help slow down age-related declines in energy and cellular health. By supporting cellular repair and metabolism, NMNH may help people in their 40s maintain a more youthful level of vitality and reduce some signs of aging before they become more pronounced.

If you’re curious to find out whether you’re an ideal candidate for any of these procedures, Barrett Beverly Hills offers in-person and virtual consultations for potential patients. Our practice sets the standard for natural-looking results with a holistic approach to effectively minimize post-surgical downtime and scarring. For more information about us, call (310) 398-2648 or complete a virtual consultation form. Keep up with us on social media via TikTok, Instagram, Twitter, Realself, and YouTube, and subscribe to our blog for updates. We look forward to guiding you on your journey!

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