Your Face & Your Cycle: How our menstrual cycle plays a massive role in our skin and bodies and how to make the most of each phase. 

Just as our mood, our sex drive and our energy levels change at different stages of our menstrual cycle, so does our skin. Of course, we all know that our hormones can make our skin go haywire at that time of the month (period spots, anyone?). 

But many of us don’t know that there is a better time, according to our cycle, to get our much loved injectable treatments (think filler and BTX treatments) so that the needles hurt a lot less and the process is much less painful! 

Week 1:  Start Of Menstrual Cycle

Your menstrual cycle starts on the first day of your period. For the first week, skin tends to be drier as levels of the female sex hormones, Progesterone and Oestrogen, are low. 

This is an excellent time to use gentle products on the skin, and creamier, thicker moisturisers, as this will help plump and rehydrate dry skin. During this week, avoiding scheduling your unique injectable treatments is best. 

At this time, your brain is a lot more susceptible to pain and hypersensitivity. This time of the month also disrupts the blood clotting cascade, meaning you’re more likely to bruise and bleed after treatments. 

Now all of this doesn’t mean that you cannot get your injectables treatments at this time, just be prepared to bruise a little more, and the ‘tox needle will sting more, and we don’t want that. 

Week 2: End Of Menstrual Cycle

As your period ends, your body starts producing more Oestrogen again. This plumps the skin and promotes collagen production, making the skin look brighter and healthier. In addition, you are usually less sensitive to pain during the week, so this is an excellent time to schedule any dermal filler or BTX treatments!  

My favourite aesthetic treatment is Aqualyx® fat dissolving injections; this week is an excellent time to schedule this. In addition, I book my maintenance treatments during week 2 of my cycle, so I know I’ll bruise a lot less. 

Week 3:  Hormones Rise

As your hormones rise again, you’ll likely experience a higher sex drive, an increased appetite and feel generally excellent! However, this hormone rise can also cause the skin to go awry and become more oily- leading to breakouts. So now is a perfect time to introduce more exfoliating products, like salicylic acid, into your skincare routine to remove excess oil and clean out those pores. 

Week 4: Hormones Prepare Another Cycle

Your hormones are preparing to start the cycle again this week. Follicle Stimulating Hormone is released, which signals the ovaries to prepare to release an egg. At this time, our skin glows, our hair shines, and we feel at our most confident. 

Even your pain threshold is higher. So this is another good time to book those injectable appointments.  

Additionally, having a chemical peel could help prepare your skin for the fluctuations in hormones you are about to experience and protect against a breakout.