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Environ study unveils major gaps in skincare for menopausal women

A global study conducted by the professional skincare brand Environ has revealed that despite the significant changes menopausal women experience with their skin, 66% have not sought professional skincare advice or treatments. With the number of menopausal women worldwide projected to reach 1.1 billion by 2025, this study highlights the need for greater awareness and tailored skincare solutions during this life stage.

Environ’s Consumer Study, which surveyed over 800 women aged 45 to 59, uncovered widespread concerns related to the physical effects of menopause on the skin. The results shed light not only on key skincare issues but also on the societal stigma and miscommunication that continue to surround menopause. Many women suffer in silence or rely solely on hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to manage symptoms, neglecting the vital role that skincare professionals could play.

Globally acclaimed plastic surgeon and Environ founder Dr Des Fernandes believes that many women are unaware of how skincare professionals can help address menopausal skin concerns. “Cosmetics cannot reverse intrinsic aging. However, the best strategy is to ensure skin cells are at their healthiest when menopause is reached, and this is achievable through advanced skincare science,” he explains.

Dr Fernandes emphasises that menopause affects each woman differently, requiring personalised advice and treatments. As hormones like oestrogen and progesterone decline, skin undergoes dramatic changes, including loss of collagen, hydration, and elasticity. “Skincare professionals are essential in providing expert recommendations that can make real improvements,” he says. For example, dry, itchy skin, wrinkles, sagging, and loss of volume were among the most common concerns reported by the survey’s respondents.

Oestrogen, which stimulates the production of collagen and hyaluronic acid, is crucial for maintaining the skin’s structure and moisture. “The decline in oestrogen and progesterone leads to a loss of the skin's natural oils and compromises its moisture barrier, leaving it more vulnerable to water loss,” Dr Fernandes explains.

As a pioneer in vitamin A skincare science, Dr Fernandes underscores the importance of this nutrient in managing menopausal skin concerns. “Vitamin A is the most powerful promoter of collagen and natural moisturising factors,” he states. Environ’s philosophy combines vitamin A with potent antioxidants like vitamins C and E, as well as specialized peptides, to promote collagen synthesis and improve skin health before and during menopause.

The emotional toll of menopausal skin changes was a particularly poignant aspect of the study. Only 13% of respondents expressed any degree of acceptance about the effects of menopause on their skin, while the vast majority reported feelings of sadness, embarrassment, and frustration. For many, these skin changes impacted their self-confidence, with some women even feeling the need to “cover up” due to feeling unattractive.

In recognition of last year’s World Menopause Awareness Month, Environ launched a campaign to raise awareness of the impact of menopause on skin health. Through educational content and interviews with Dr Fernandes, the aim was to bridge the gap between skincare science and the real-life needs of women going through menopause.

For more, follow Environ’s #MenopauseConversations on social media @EnvironSkinCareSA.

New guidelines state medics don’t need to know gender identity of patients

In newly released guidelines, medical professionals treating transgender patients have been advised that knowing a patient’s gender identity is not necessary.

Developed by experts from the universities of Edinburgh and Cambridge, this is the first guidance of its kind addressing the care of transgender individuals undergoing surgery.

One key recommendation stipulates that a patient’s transgender status should only be disclosed to other medical staff and patients with the individual’s consent and if it is “medically necessary.”

The guidelines were created to address a “lack of knowledge and confidence among anaesthetists in caring for transgender and gender-diverse patients,” according to the authors. Although neither the NHS nor the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence contributed to the development of these guidelines, hospitals may choose to adopt them locally.

“Supermodel Granny” drug shows promise in extending lifespan

A new drug has shown the potential to extend the lifespans of laboratory mice by nearly 25%, offering hope that it might also slow human ageing.

Dubbed “supermodel grannies” in the lab, the treated mice displayed a youthful appearance, improved health, strength, and fewer incidences of cancer compared to their untreated counterparts.

The team conducted two experiments: one involved genetically modifying mice to prevent the production of interleukin-11, and the other administered a drug to eliminate interleukin-11 in older mice (around 75 weeks old, roughly equivalent to a 55-year-old human). The findings revealed that lifespans increased by 2025%, varying by experiment and the sex of the mice. These mice showed significantly lower cancer rates, better muscle function, leaner bodies, healthier fur, and improved frailty scores.

Currently undergoing human trials, the drug’s effectiveness in humans remains uncertain.

The potential of AI in the personalisation of treatment protocols

The aesthetic beauty industry is increasingly adopting artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced technologies, raising critical questions about their ability to enhance treatment practices and outcomes.

According to PwC’s Global Artificial Intelligence Study, AI is projected to contribute an additional $15.7 trillion to global GDP by 2030, with a significant portion of this impact coming from the cosmetics industry. A separate study revealed that the global AI cosmetics market was valued at $2.68 billion in 2022, with expectations for continued growth.

Dr Alek Nikolic, who has a special interest in aesthetic and cosmetic medicine, shares his perspective on how AI and advanced tools are changing the way aesthetic enhancements are approached. “Services like Neutrogena’s Skin360 democratise access to aesthetic care by helping users understand their facial features and identify treatments that address their specific concerns,” explains Dr Nikolic. However, he emphasises that these tools should complement, not replace professional consultations with trained practitioners.

In his own practice, Dr Nikolic employs the Visia Skin Analysis system, which takes personalisation a step further. The technology captures high-resolution images of the face, revealing features that are often invisible to the naked eye, such as UV damage, pigmentation, and texture irregularities. This data provides a comprehensive assessment of the skin’s health, allowing practitioners to develop customised treatment plans based on objective information.

“The Visia system provides insights that guide effective treatment regimens,” Dr Nikolic notes. “This level of detail is crucial when tailoring treatments, as it allows us to track progress over time and adjust as necessary to optimise results.”

While the future of aesthetic medicine is undoubtedly intertwined with technological advancements, Dr Nikolic points out that the challenge lies in ensuring that these innovations enhance rather than overshadow the fundamental principles of effective skincare.

As practitioners increasingly utilise AI for treatment planning and marketing, questions arise about the sustainability of these practices. “Are we moving towards a future where aesthetic medicine is overly reliant on technology, potentially sidelining the holistic approaches that have long been valued in this field?” he asks.

Dr Nikolic also underscores the importance of consumer education in navigating this evoloving landscape. "With technology becoming more integrated into this industry, consumers must be equipped to discern between genuine innovation and mere hype. Understanding how these tools work and their limitations is vital for making informed choices," he reiterates. "While AI can provide valuable insights, it is essential to remember that aesthetic beauty and medicine is not solely a science; it is also an art. The emotional connection and understanding that come from human expertise cannot be replicated by algorithms.”

Menopause Summit 2024: destigmatising a natural transition

The first Menopause Summit, hosted by Dr Sibu Lubelwana, obstetrician, gynaecologist, and founder of Soft Landing for Women, took place in October 2024 and was a resounding success. Organised in recognition of Menopause Awareness Month, the summit brought together experts, women’s health advocates, and a diverse audience eager to address the often-stigmatised topic of menopause.

Dr Lubelwana’s personal experience with menopause was the inspiration behind the event. “When I began sharing snippets of my journey on my platform, @softlanding_ woman, I felt anxious about being judged— whether people would see me as ageing or losing relevance. That discomfort didn’t sit well with me,” she explained. “It planted the seed for this summit. I wanted to create a space where women could come together, share openly, and help destigmatise what is a completely normal physiological process.”

By being transparent about her own challenges, Dr Lubelwana realised the potential to spark conversations among women with similar experiences, leading her to organise the summit as a way to foster education and community support. With October being Menopause Awareness Month, and October 18 marked as World Menopause Day, the timing of the summit was ideal for amplifying these important discussions.

The event attracted a sold-out crowd, with women from all walks of life attending— many of them either perimenopausal or menopausal. However, what made the event truly special was the participation of younger, premenopausal women. "You can’t overprepare for this stage of life," Dr Lubelwana noted, stressing the importance of initiating these conversations early.

The summit featured an impressive lineup of expert speakers, each offering unique insights from their fields. The first panel, led by Dr. Lubelwana, included obstetrician and gynaecologist Dr Nombuso Mthethwa, Professor Sebitloane from the Nelson Mandela School of Medicine, and physiotherapist Lulu Becker. Their medical expertise helped lay a solid foundation for understanding menopause from a clinical perspective.

Another panel focused on strategies for thriving at work and home during menopause, with insights from Thuli Galekile, executive manager for Trade & Investment, Kwa-Zulu Natal, and Colleen Wilson, a wellbeing, wholeness, and transitional coach. Facilitated by Thobile Tops Mkhwanazi, founder of Sisterhood Connect and Conversation Specialist, personal stories were shared by Xoli Madlala, author of The Perimenopausal Globetrotter, and Advocate Thulisile Mhlungu. These narratives resonated deeply with the audience, allowing many women to see their own experiences reflected in these real-life accounts.

The final segment, led by “glam mom” Lenore Goss-Matjie, included dermatologists Dr Cebi Sibisi, Dr Mamello Ntsele, and stylist and image consultant Merise Bassa, who provided practical advice on self-care and confidence during menopause.

Feedback from attendees has been overwhelmingly positive. Many women left the summit feeling empowered and better equipped to manage menopause symptoms, with several expressing a significant shift in how they view ageing. “The summit gave women the tools and the confidence to embrace this stage of life,” Dr Lubelwana reflected.

The event was supported by a wide range of sponsors, including Lancôme, Busamed Hillcrest, RocQ Ceuticals, The Pencil, AQ Solutions and many others, who believed in the vision of creating a safe space for open discussion on menopause. Looking ahead, Dr Lubelwana and her team are already planning next year’s summit, with hopes to retain the same passionate panel of speakers and secure further sponsorships to sustain this important initiative.

78% of overweight patients avoid the doctor

A new survey has revealed that over three quarters of overweight patients have avoided going to the doctor, due to “fatphobic attitudes” displayed towards them.

Despite needing to see the doctor, a study commissioned by the Harley Street Health Centre, found that patients who consider themselves overweight are less likely to seek help for fear of being “fat shamed”. Complaints that were shared by significant numbers of respondents included dismissive attitude towards their health concerns and health advice being limited to weight loss. Founder of the Harley Street Health Centre, Dr Enam Abood, commented, “Medical fatphobia keeps patients away, prevents patients seeking the medical support they need in a timely way and prevents the opportunity to counsel and support them with lifestyle improvement.”

Alastair Carruthers, pioneer of cosmetic botulinum toxin, passes away at 79

Dr Alastair Carruthers, famous in the world of aesthetic medicine and an instigator behind the cosmetic use of botulinum toxin, has passed away at the age of 79. His investigative research with his wife, Dr Jean Carruthers, changed the aesthetics industry by introducing botulinum toxin as a treatment for wrinkles, thus shaping modern cosmetic procedures for over three decades.

In the early 1990s, while working in collaboration with his wife, an ophthalmologist, Dr Carruthers realised that botulinum toxin type A, originally used for eye spasms, had an unexpected side effect of reducing facial wrinkles. Together, the Carruthers duo conducted extensive research, publishing hundreds of studies demonstrating the efficacy of botulinum toxin in softening the appearance of frown lines and other facial wrinkles. Their work, in line with the increasing demand to remove wrinkles, led to the widespread aesthetic application of botulinum toxin, making it one of the most popular non-surgical cosmetic treatments globally.

Throughout his career, Dr Carruthers remained committed to research and education in the field of aesthetic medicine. He authored numerous publications, delivered lectures around the world, and continued to inspire new generations of dermatologists and cosmetic practitioners.

His dedication to the science behind aesthetic medicine created his reputation as one of the field’s most respected figures.