Understanding Menopausal Facial Ageing and Skin Changes: What are some of the best treatments at NovaLx which can support you at this stage of your life.
- henamunir
- Feb 13
- 8 min read
Updated: Mar 14
The Subtle Signs of Perimenopause
Perimenopause doesn’t announce itself loudly at first. It shows up quietly. You may notice your skin doesn’t bounce back the way it used to. Your jawline may look a little softer in certain lighting. The folds beside your nose seem deeper, even though your weight hasn’t changed. Your forehead feels more active, almost tense, by the end of the day.
Many women who come to us in the clinic, in their forties and early fifties, don’t walk in asking for something dramatic. They usually express concerns like:
“I just don’t feel as tight as I used to.”
“My face looks tired even when I’m not.”
“I don’t want filler; I just want to look like myself again.”
It’s rarely about looking younger. It’s about feeling structurally supported.
Hormonal Changes and Their Impact on Skin
During this phase of hormonal change, two treatments often become part of a carefully staged plan:
Profhilo: This treatment improves skin quality and collagen support.
Low-dose Botox: This softens excessive muscle pull in the upper face.
These treatments are never rushed, and they are never done on the same day. When spaced correctly, they work on two different aspects of menopausal facial ageing: tissue strength and muscle balance.
Changes to Facial Structure During Menopause
From the late thirties onward, oestrogen levels begin to fluctuate and gradually decline. Oestrogen is not just a reproductive hormone; it plays a central role in maintaining collagen production, skin thickness, and structural integrity.
Studies suggest that women can lose up to 30 percent of their skin collagen within the first five years after menopause, followed by an average decline of approximately 2 percent per year thereafter. This cumulative loss alters the architecture of the face.
Practical Implications of Collagen Loss
What that means in practical terms is:
Thinner skin, as the dermal layer becomes less dense.
Reduced elasticity, as collagen and elastin fibres weaken.
Drooping nasolabial folds, due to loss of underlying structural support.
Lower face volume shift, as fat pads descend and ligaments loosen.
Early jowl formation, as skin integrity reduces and gravity becomes more visible.
Increased upper face muscle dominance, as muscles begin to compensate for structural weakening.
These changes occur whether a woman is on HRT or not. Hormone replacement may slow certain processes, but it does not fully preserve collagen levels or facial support. Menopause is a biological shift. Once you understand what is happening to collagen and muscle support, you can decide whether and how you want to respond.
Can Profhilo Improve Menopausal Skin and Collagen Loss?
Profhilo is a bio-remodelling injectable made from highly purified hyaluronic acid. It is not designed to fill or reshape the face. Its purpose is to stimulate collagen and elastin production within the skin itself.
At NovaLx, we follow a structured protocol:
3 sessions
4 weeks apart
Maintenance typically every 6 to 8 months
Spacing matters because collagen stimulation takes time. The first session initiates activity within the dermis; subsequent sessions reinforce that response rather than overwhelm it.
In menopausal skin, where collagen density has reduced, Profhilo can support:
Improved skin firmness, as collagen fibres gradually strengthen.
Better hydration, particularly in thinner areas such as the lower face.
Reduction in crepey texture.
Enhanced elasticity when smiling or moving.
Subtle support along the jawline, as tissue quality improves.
The change is not volumetric. You will not look “filled.” The skin simply feels more resilient and structurally supported over time. For many women in their forties and fifties, that distinction is important.
Read more at: Profhilo | NovaLx Aesthetics Clinic
Baby Botox in Menopause: Balancing Muscle Changes
As collagen declines, the balance between skin support and muscle activity begins to shift. The skin offers less resistance, so certain muscles start to work harder to compensate.
I became aware of this in my own face in my mid-forties. By 47, I could see that the nasolabial folds looked deeper even though my weight had not changed. The lower face felt slightly heavier, and the movement across my forehead had become more pronounced than it used to be.
None of this was dramatic, but it was noticeable enough to think about how best to respond.
For me, the decision was to approach it conservatively. This February, as part of our Love Your Skin Saturday edits, I am beginning a staged plan, starting with Profhilo to support skin quality, followed by low-dose Botox two weeks later to reduce excessive upper-face movement.
This type of Botox, often referred to as “baby Botox,” uses smaller, carefully placed doses to soften muscle activity without restricting natural expression.
At present, our focus remains the upper face. Lower face muscle balancing is something we may introduce in future protocols, depending on suitability and clinical need.
Why Profhilo and Baby Botox Must Be Spaced Two Weeks Apart
Although both treatments involve injections, they behave very differently once placed in the skin. Profhilo works by dispersing within the tissue and stimulating collagen over time. Baby Botox, in contrast, acts on specific muscles, gradually reducing excessive contraction.
When both are performed at the same appointment, it becomes difficult to interpret how each one is settling. Swelling from Profhilo can temporarily alter facial movement, which makes it harder to assess muscle activity accurately. That, in turn, can affect dosing decisions.
Allowing at least two weeks between treatments gives the tissue time to settle. Any initial swelling resolves, muscle patterns can be observed clearly, and adjustments can be made with greater precision.
In practice, this spacing helps maintain the subtlety of the outcome. It ensures that each treatment does its intended job without interfering with the other.
Menopause Facial Ageing Treatment: A Structured Approach
At NovaLx, treatment planning begins with understanding how hormonal change is affecting the individual face, rather than starting with a predetermined treatment. This usually involves:
A detailed consultation, including medical history and current concerns.
Assessment of how hormone-related collagen decline is affecting skin quality and structure.
Conservative dosing, particularly in women experiencing tissue thinning.
Clear screening for contraindications and suitability.
Medical oversight and review where appropriate.
This approach helps ensure that treatment decisions are proportionate and timed correctly, rather than driven by urgency or trends.
Who Should Avoid or Postpone Treatment
Not everyone will be suitable for injectable treatments at every stage. In some situations, it is safer to delay until the skin or overall health is more stable.
Treatment is usually postponed if a person is:
Pregnant or breastfeeding.
Experiencing an active skin infection or inflammation in the treatment area.
Going through an autoimmune flare.
Managing an uncontrolled medical condition.
Recovering from recent facial surgery or procedures.
Experiencing an active herpes outbreak around the mouth.
Taking certain blood-thinning medications, depending on dosage and medical advice.
During consultation, these factors are reviewed carefully so that treatment can be timed appropriately and risks minimised.
Understanding Potential Risks
Both Profhilo and low-dose Botox have well-established safety profiles when performed by trained practitioners using licensed products. However, as with any injectable treatment, some temporary side effects can occur.
These may include:
Mild bruising at injection sites.
Localised swelling.
Temporary asymmetry while the product settles.
A feeling of heaviness in the brow area during the first few days after Botox.
Occasional mild headaches following treatment.
In most cases, these effects resolve on their own within a short period. The likelihood of complications increases when treatments are performed without proper assessment, accurate dosing, or appropriate technique. This is why a thorough consultation and medical oversight remain an essential part of safe practice.
Results Timeline and How Long Effects Typically Last
Both treatments work gradually rather than producing immediate change. Understanding the timeline helps set realistic expectations and avoids the impression that something has not worked simply because it is still settling.
Profhilo
After treatment, the earliest change most people notice is an improvement in skin hydration within the first one to two weeks. Firmness tends to develop more slowly, becoming clearer between four and six weeks as collagen activity increases. In most cases:
Hydration improves within 1–2 weeks.
Skin firmness becomes more noticeable by 4–6 weeks.
Results typically last around 8–10 months before maintenance is considered.
Baby Botox
Muscle relaxation occurs sooner because it acts on nerve signalling rather than tissue regeneration. Initial softening usually begins within a few days, with the full effect becoming evident after about two weeks. Typically:
Early softening is noticeable within 3–5 days.
Full effect develops by 10–14 days.
Results usually last around 3–4 months.
When used in a staged way, Profhilo supports the quality and resilience of the skin, while baby Botox reduces excessive muscle pull. Together, they address both tissue strength and muscle balance, which are two key factors in menopausal facial ageing.
Profhilo Compared with Dermal Fillers During Menopause
Dermal fillers and Profhilo are often discussed together, but they serve very different purposes within menopausal skin. Dermal fillers are designed to replace lost volume and provide structural support. They are typically used where deeper tissue support has diminished, such as in the cheeks or around the mouth.
Profhilo, by contrast, does not replace volume. Its role is to improve the quality of the skin itself by stimulating collagen and elastin production.
In the earlier stages of menopausal change, when the concern is more about thinning skin, reduced elasticity, and subtle softening rather than true volume loss, many women find that regenerative support is a more proportionate starting point. Fillers may still have a role later if deeper structural changes develop, but beginning with treatments that strengthen tissue quality can help maintain a more natural balance over time.
A Softer Perspective
For most women, this stage is not about trying to look younger. It is about feeling that the face still reflects how they feel in themselves. Subtle treatments can help restore a sense of support where the skin has thinned or muscle activity has become more pronounced. The intention is not to change features or create a different appearance, but to maintain balance as the underlying structure evolves.
When done conservatively, the result is usually very difficult for others to identify. People tend to notice that you look more rested or settled, rather than “treated.”
Frequently Asked Questions About Profhilo and Baby Botox During Menopause
Can I have both treatments at the same time?
These treatments are usually spaced at least two weeks apart. This allows any initial swelling from Profhilo to settle and ensures that muscle movement can be assessed accurately before Botox is administered.
Will this lift jowls?
Profhilo can improve skin firmness and elasticity, which may subtly support areas that have begun to soften. However, it does not create lifting in the way surgical procedures do. Its role is to strengthen tissue quality rather than reposition structures.
Is this suitable if I am on HRT?
In most cases, yes. Hormone replacement therapy does not prevent treatment, but your medical history will be reviewed during consultation to ensure that timing and suitability are appropriate.
How long do the results typically last?
Profhilo results generally remain noticeable for around six to eight months, while the effects of baby Botox usually last three to four months before muscle activity gradually returns.
Additional Questions Clients Often Ask
Is it too early to start treatments in my forties?
Many women begin considering supportive treatments during early perimenopause, when changes are subtle. Starting at this stage often allows for more conservative interventions rather than waiting until structural changes become more pronounced.
Will I still look like myself after treatment?
When performed conservatively, these treatments are designed to maintain natural expression. Most people notice that they look more rested rather than different.
Can these treatments prevent further ageing?
They cannot stop ageing, but they can slow some visible changes by supporting collagen quality and reducing excessive muscle movement over time.
What if I have very thin menopausal skin?
Thin skin is often one of the reasons Profhilo is recommended. It helps improve tissue quality and resilience without adding volume.
Can stress and menopause together worsen facial ageing?
Yes. Chronic stress can increase cortisol levels, which may accelerate collagen breakdown. This is why lifestyle factors such as sleep, nutrition, and stress management often form part of long-term skin support discussions.
How do I know if I need fillers instead?
If structural volume loss is more advanced, fillers may be considered. A consultation helps determine whether tissue quality support, muscle balancing, or structural replacement is most appropriate.
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