Ageing

What Is Ageing Skin?

Ageing is a gradual accumulation of cellular damage, which begins in our late 20s. Over time, our skin cells slow down in function and renewal, leading to visible changes.

Common characteristics of ageing skin include:

• Fine lines and wrinkles

• Loss of collagen and elasticity

• Thinning of the epidermis

• Dehydration and dullness

• Uneven pigmentation and broken capillaries

From around age 30, our cell turnover can slow by 30–50%. This means that dead cells linger longer, new cells take more time to surface, and the skin loses its youthful glow.

In the epidermis, melanocytes (pigment cells) and Langerhans cells (immune cells) become sluggish. The skin’s natural enzymes slow down, healing takes longer, and inflammation can persist.

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The Role of Hormones and Essential Fatty Acids

Aging skin isn’t just about time hormones and lipid balance play a huge role.
Declining estrogen levels and essential fatty acid deficiencies contribute to a weakened barrier, loss of thickness, and dryness.

If you’re peri-menopausal or menopausal, it can be worthwhile to consult a hormone specialist or naturopath to help balance hormone levels. At The Lab, we’ll always start with the basics restoring your skin’s essential fatty acids (EFAs) is a must before any advanced treatment. This ensures we’re working on a healthy, functional canvas and not causing further inflammation.

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What Happens Beneath the Surface

In the dermis, blood vessels reduce, nutrient transfer slows, and there’s a loss of collagen and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) the components responsible for firmness and hydration.

Think of your skin like a mattress. When the springs (collagen and elastin) start to weaken, it loses its bounce and structure. The result is sagging, wrinkles, and a lack of plumpness.

It might sound complex, but don’t worry we can absolutely help you rebuild that foundation.

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Lifestyle Factors That Accelerate Ageing

 

Stress

Chronic stress increases cortisol, which breaks down collagen, slows repair, and causes inflammation. Mind-body exercises such as yoga, Pilates, or breathwork help to regulate cortisol levels.
Daily meditation (try the Smiling Mind app) can also make a huge difference.

 

Inflammation

Inflammation creates an acidic environment in the body, slowing healthy cell renewal. To support an alkaline state, reduce caffeine, alcohol, and cigarettes, and increase your intake of bitter greens, brassica vegetables, and lemon water.

 

Sun Exposure

UV rays are the single biggest environmental factor in premature ageing. Even when it’s cloudy or cold, UV still penetrates the skin and breaks down collagen.
The simplest anti-ageing advice? SPF every single day, all year round.

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Nutritional Support for Youthful Skin

 

Foods to Include

• Collagen powders or supplements to rebuild structure

• Good fats (avocado, flaxseed, safflower, salmon, nuts, seeds) to boost EFAs

• Brazil nuts for selenium (a vital antioxidant for skin repair)

• Alkalising foods like greens, brassicas, and lemon water

• Vitamin A-rich foods (pumpkin, sweet potato)

• Vitamin C-rich foods (citrus fruits, kiwi, berries)

 

Foods to Reduce

• Caffeine and alcohol (increase dehydration and cortisol)

• Processed foods and refined sugars (inflammatory)

• Gluten (especially if gut health is compromised)

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Professional Treatment Options

Your Skin Clinician will have created a plan suited to your individual needs and goals. These treatments are often layered or combined to produce optimal results:

• DMK Enzyme Therapy (essential foundation for all skin programs; restores function and prepares the skin for advanced treatments)

• Mini RP or Full RP Facials (Remodelling Procedures for lifting and firming)

• LED Light Therapy (stimulates fibroblast activity for collagen production)

• IPL Photo Rejuvenation (targets pigment and vascular damage)

• Collagen Induction Therapy (Skin Needling)

• StemZyme Program (advanced cellular regeneration)

• Clinical Peels and Infusions for deep renewal

We always start by strengthening the skin before moving into advanced or heat-based treatments — this ensures you get safe, lasting, beautiful results.

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Products to Avoid

To protect your skin’s barrier and prevent unnecessary inflammation, steer clear of:

• Harsh or abrasive exfoliants (scrubs, unprescribed acids, or homemade mixes)

• Soap-based cleansers (alkaline pH disrupts your barrier)

• Unformulated oils (like coconut or almond oil)

• Prescription-strength Vitamin A (causes long-term sensitivity and thinning)

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Your Next Step: Start Your Age Management Journey

Ageing gracefully is not about fighting time — it’s about working with your skin to keep it strong, hydrated, and resilient.

At The Lab, our approach to age management is clinical, nurturing, and entirely tailored to you. From rebuilding your barrier to advanced collagen therapy, every step is designed to future-proof your skin’s health.

👉 Book your Age Management Consultation at The Lab Masterton today and begin your journey to firmer, smoother, more radiant skin that feels as youthful as it looks.

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Myths About Ageing Skin

 

Myth 1: Moisturiser alone can stop wrinkles
Truth: Hydration plumps the surface temporarily, but only collagen-stimulating actives and treatments change structure. Think Vitamin A, Vitamin C, peptides, DMK Enzyme Therapy, skin needling, and consistent SPF.

 

Myth 2: Only expensive creams work
Truth: What matters is formulation and concentration of actives, plus consistency. The right routine, used daily, outperforms a pricey jar used occasionally.

 

Myth 3: You don’t need Vitamin A until you are older
Truth: Retinoids support renewal at almost any adult age. We tailor strength and frequency to your skin so you build results without irritation.

 

Myth 4: Exfoliating more makes you look younger
Truth: Over-exfoliation weakens your barrier, increases redness, and can speed ageing. Use prescribed exfoliants at the right cadence and prioritise barrier repair.

 

Myth 5: SPF is only for sunny days
Truth: UVA penetrates clouds and glass all year and drives up to 80 percent of premature ageing. Daily broad-spectrum SPF is non-negotiable.

 

Myth 6: Injectables are the only way to smooth lines
Truth: Injectables can help expression lines, but skin quality is built with Enzyme Therapy, LED, needling, peels, Vitamin A and C, peptides, and EFAs. Great skin plus smart injectables is the winning combo.

 

Myth 7: Facial oils are always anti-ageing
Truth: Unformulated or heavy oils can disrupt natural desquamation and congest the skin. Choose clinically formulated oils and balance with water-based hydration.

 

Myth 8: Hormones don’t affect skin ageing
Truth: Perimenopause and menopause bring estrogen decline that reduces collagen, elasticity, and hydration. We support with EFAs, targeted actives, barrier repair, and referrals to a hormone specialist or naturopath when helpful.

 

Myth 9: You can permanently shrink pores
Truth: Pore size is largely genetic, but you can refine their appearance by building collagen, regulating oil flow, and using the right resurfacing and brightening actives.

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Age Management Homecare Prescriptives

 

Cleansers

• DMK Milky Cleanser

• DMK Enbioment Cleanser

• O Gentle Antioxidant Cleanser

• Juvenate Revitalising Cleanser

 

Serums

• DMK Beta Gel

• DMK Direct Delivery Vitamin C

• DMK Super Serum

• DMK Firmatrix

• O Smart Serum

• O Pure Age Defiance

• Juvenate B-Hydrated

• Juvenate Reactivating Complex

 

Oils

• DMK Seba E

• DMK Herbal Pigment Oil

• O Retinoic Oil

• O Vitamin C & Hemp Oil

 

Mists

• DMK Herb & Mineral Mist

• DMK MD Wetter Than Water

• DMK Aminodine Spritz

• O-Biome Spray

• Juvenate Phyto Protect Spray

 

Moisturisers

• DMK Transgenesis Cream

• DMK Biogen C

• DMK Nite Firming

• DMK Betagen

• O Immortal Cream

• Juvenate Renew Cream

• Juvenate Rejuvenation Cream

 

SPF

• Mesoestetic Mineral Matte Fluid

• Mesoestetic Light Water Veil

• O Mineral Pro 30 | 50+

• Juvenate ReShield SPF

 

Specialty Products

• DMK Revitosin

• DMK Superbright

• O Retinol (Potent | Concentrate)

• O EGF Booster

• O Pure C & BHA

• Juvenate ReAlign

 

Neck Treatments

• DMK Elevate

• O Firming & Lifting Neck Serum

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At Home Treatments

 

Firmatrix + Home Enzyme

Apply Firmatrix Serum, massage in with Herb & Mineral Mist for 3–5 minutes until fully absorbed.
Apply Foamy Lift with Exoderma Enzyme Mask, leave on for 45 minutes, rinse thoroughly, and follow with your night routine.

 

Exfoliation & Masque

Mix 1 tsp DMK Micro Peel and apply to cleansed skin for 5–10 minutes.
Follow with Hydration Masque or Home Enzyme Kit for 30–45 minutes.
Rinse, then finish with Superbright or prescribed moisturiser and mist.

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