Your guide to the best treatment solutions for ageing skin concerns

We often see clients who feel like their skin has changed almost overnight.

Pigmentation appears in unexpected areas, and is more noticeable. Your jawline may be showing a loss of definition. Sagging jowls begin to form. Skin can take on an uneven, dimpled look often described as orange peel.

Even when you’re doing all the right things at home, your skin doesn’t respond the way it used to and it can feel overwhelming and frustrating. 

We see this in the clinic every day and we know how unsettling it can be when there is a sudden onset of the visible signs of ageing.

These changes tend to fall into three common concerns: pigmentation, sagging, and changes in skin texture.

But, there is good news. There are ways to approach each of these with the right combination of skincare and treatments that work deeper within the skin.

1. Blotchy pigmentation

Uneven brown patches can appear at any stage of life, but they often become more noticeable as the skin changes during midlife and menopause.

Years of sun exposure add up, even in small daily doses. The skin becomes less efficient at distributing pigment evenly, which is why it starts to appear in a patchy, inconsistent way.

Hormonal changes and certain medications can also influence how pigment behaves. This is often referred to as melasma. While it can be more complex to treat, with the right approach we can achieve meaningful improvement. 

What you can do at home

Sun protection is essential. Without consistent sun protection, the results we achieve with treatment can be undone, or at the very least slowed down.

From there, ingredients such as vitamin C, niacinamide, and alpha-arbutin can help regulate pigment formation and reduce how it transfers through the skin.

We’ll guide you towards the right products for your skin, including formulations from the ranges we use in clinic such as Synergie Skin, Environ, and ESK, so your homecare supports and extends your treatment results.

For many clients, homecare is an important first step, but when pigmentation is already established, it usually requires a more targeted, in-clinic approach to see meaningful change.

How we treat this in the clinic

We see a lot of pigmentation in the clinic, but not all pigmentation behaves the same way. That’s where treatment choice matters.

At Select Skin, we use Lumenis IPL for sun-induced pigmentation because it allows us to target excess pigment without damaging the surrounding skin.

The light energy is absorbed by the pigment, which helps break it down so the body can clear it naturally. It’s common for pigment to darken slightly before it lifts and fades.

This is a controlled, progressive approach. We are not trying to strip the skin back. We are working with it to restore a more even tone.

We’ll also guide you on how to maintain your results, because without the right homecare and sun protection, pigmentation will return.

2. Sagging skin and loss of definition

You may still feel like your skin looks healthy, but the structure has changed.

The jawline has lost definition. Sagging jowls begin to form. There is heaviness through the lower face and under the chin.

This is the result of collagen and elastin breaking down, which affects how the skin holds its shape and support.

What you can do at home

Good skincare helps maintain the quality of the skin.

Retinol, vitamin C, peptides, and niacinamide all play a role in supporting the skin and improving how it looks and behaves.

We’ll guide you towards the right products for your skin, including formulations from the medical grade skincare brands we use in clinic such as Synergie Skin, Environ, and ESK, so your homecare supports and strengthens your treatment results.

Skincare plays an important role in supporting the skin, but it cannot lift or reposition sagging tissue. When the structure has changed, we need to use targeted treatments to restore definition through the face.

How we treat this in the clinic

This is where we need to work deeper within the skin.

Ultraformer III is one of our key treatments for sagging skin. It uses focused ultrasound energy to reach the deeper structural layers of the skin, including the layers responsible for support and firmness.

This energy creates precise points of heat within the tissue, which triggers a collagen response. The skin recognises this as a signal to repair and rebuild, strengthening the underlying support.

What makes this treatment effective is not just the technology, but how it is used. Depth, placement, and treatment planning all matter. This is not a one-size-fits-all approach.

We use it to target specific areas such as the jawline, cheeks, and under the chin, where structural changes are most visible.

The result is a gradual improvement in firmness and definition, without creating an overdone or unnatural look.

3. Orange peel skin (loss of elasticity around the pore)

This is something many clients describe as orange peel skin.

The surface of the skin starts to look uneven. Pores appear larger. The skin can look dimpled, particularly across the cheeks, neck, or chest.

This is not just surface texture.

It is usually a sign of sun damage and a loss of elasticity around the pore. As that support weakens, the pore changes shape and becomes more visible, which creates that uneven appearance.

What you can do at home

Sun protection is essential to prevent further change.

Retinol can help improve skin renewal and support elasticity, while hydrating treatments help maintain balance within the skin.

We’ll guide you towards the right products for your skin, including formulations from the medical grade ranges we use in clinic such as Synergie Skin, Environ, and ESK, so your homecare supports and strengthens your treatment results.

Topical products can improve the surface of the skin, but when the structure around the pore has changed, we need to work deeper to rebuild strength within the skin.

How we treat this in the clinic

To improve orange peel skin, we need to rebuild strength within the skin.

Medical microneedling works by creating controlled micro-injuries, which trigger a wound healing response. This activates collagen signalling pathways and stimulates new collagen production.

As the skin rebuilds, it becomes stronger and more resilient. The structure around the pore improves, which leads to a smoother and more refined surface.

At Select Skin, we use Dermapen 4 Medical Grade Skin Needling to deliver consistent, controlled needling tailored to your skin.

Technique, depth, and treatment planning all matter. This is not just about creating injury. It is about creating the right response in the skin to achieve visible, lasting improvement.

Where to start

If you’re noticing one or more of these changes, the most important first step is understanding what’s happening in your skin.

From there, we’ll guide you through the right combination of treatments and homecare to achieve steady, realistic improvements.

You don’t need to figure it out on your own.

If you’d like to get started, you can book a consultation and we’ll create a plan tailored to your skin.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best treatment for pigmentation on the face?

This depends on the type of pigmentation you have.

Sun-induced pigmentation often responds well to IPL. However, conditions such as melasma or hormonally influenced pigmentation require a more careful approach, as they can be triggered or worsened if treated incorrectly.

This is why an assessment is important before starting treatment, so we can choose the right approach for your skin.

Can you treat sagging skin without surgery?

Yes, but it depends on the level of sagging.

Treatments such as Ultraformer III work by stimulating collagen at a deeper level to improve firmness and support within the skin. While this can create visible lifting and definition, it is not the same as surgical results.

We focus on improving structure in a way that looks natural and appropriate for your skin.

Why do my pores look larger and my skin look like orange peel?

This is usually due to sun damage and a loss of elasticity around the pore.

As the skin weakens, the pore loses its support and changes shape, which makes it more visible and creates that uneven, dimpled appearance.

Is microneedling the best treatment for large pores and uneven texture?

Microneedling is one of the most effective treatments for improving skin texture and reducing the appearance of enlarged pores.

It works by stimulating collagen production, which helps strengthen the skin around the pore and improve overall skin quality.

The technique and depth used are important, which is why professional treatment makes a difference to your results.

How long does it take to see results from treatments like IPL, Ultraformer or skin needling?

Some treatments, such as IPL, can show visible changes relatively quickly as pigmentation lifts.

Others, like Ultraformer III and medical grade skin needling, rely on collagen production, which takes time. You will usually see gradual improvements over several weeks to months as the skin rebuilds.

We'll guide you on what to expect based on your skin and your treatment plan.

Do I need both treatments and skincare, or can I just do one?

For best results, treatments and skincare work together.

Treatments target deeper structural changes within the skin, while skincare helps maintain those results and improve overall skin function.

Without the right homecare, results can be slower or more difficult to maintain.

Ready to get started?

If you’re noticing changes in your skin and you’re not sure where to begin, we can help you make sense of it.

We’ll assess your skin, explain what’s happening, and guide you towards the right combination of treatments and homecare for your skin and your goals.

You don’t need to try and work it out on your own.

You can book a consultation online, or get in touch with us if you have any questions before you start.

Thank you for trusting us with your skin.

See you soon,

Mel 

AUTHOR

Melanie Russell Richards

Melanie’s knowledge, credentials and passion for the skin are unsurpassed. With over 30 years of industry experience, Melanie has a Bachelor of Dermal Science from Victoria University and is a member of The Society of Dermal Clinicians.

With so much knowledge and experience, it was time for Melanie to realise her dream of owning her own non-surgical skin clinic and establishing Select Skin in 2017.

Melanie is committed to treating her clients with honesty, integrity, and care. Achieving ethical and results-driven outcomes is the most rewarding part of her day.