Posted by Sarah Auton
on May 18, 2026
Skin changes as we age. It's completely natural, and it happens to everyone. What's also true is that with the right knowledge and the right treatments, you have far more influence over how your skin looks and feels than you might think.
At About Face NZ, we've been helping people understand and care for their skin for over 40 years. This guide covers what's actually happening to your skin as it matures, and the treatments that genuinely make a difference.
What's Actually Going On With Your Skin
From your mid-20s, collagen production starts to slow. By your 40s, that slowdown becomes visible. Skin becomes thinner, drier, and less resilient. Cell turnover slows, which is why mature skin can look duller and more uneven. Facial fat pads shift over time, and here in New Zealand, our high UV index adds another layer of change: age spots, broken capillaries, redness, and accelerated collagen breakdown.
These are normal, well-understood skin changes. And they're exactly what we specialise in treating across our five Auckland clinics.
The Treatments That Make a Real Difference
Not every skin needs every treatment. Part of what we do best is figuring out exactly what your skin needs — and in what order. Here are the treatments we reach for most when it comes to mature and ageing skin.
Dermapen 4: Microneedling Done Properly
If there's one treatment we'd recommend for ageing skin, it's Dermapen 4. This is the world's leading microneedling device, and the results are well established.
Thousands of ultra-fine needles create micro-channels in the skin, triggering the body's own collagen and elastin production. It's biology working in your favour. Dermapen 4 moves up to 104% faster than other devices and allows active ingredients to penetrate up to 80% deeper — meaning every serum applied after needling works at a level it simply couldn't reach on the surface alone.
Our Dermapen 4 treatment includes LED Light Therapy, the Hyla Active 3D Sculptured Mask, and a bespoke serum cocktail, all tailored to your skin. Most clients experience mild redness for up to 48 hours, then the skin gets to work.
Best for: Fine lines, loss of firmness, dull skin, crepey neck and décolletage, enlarged pores, acne scarring Course: 3 to 6 treatments, 3 to 4 weeks apart | From $290 per session
Clear + Brilliant: The Glow-Getter Laser
If you want skin that genuinely glows — clearer, smoother, and more even — Clear + Brilliant is the treatment worth knowing about.
This gentle fractional laser works by creating thousands of microscopic treatment zones in the upper layers of the skin, replacing damaged or dull tissue with fresher, healthier skin cells. The result is a noticeable improvement in tone and texture that builds with each session. Think of it as a reset button for skin that's lost its radiance.
Unlike more aggressive lasers, Clear + Brilliant requires virtually no downtime and is safe for all skin types and tones — including those who may have been told other lasers aren't suitable for them. It's sometimes called the "lunchtime laser" for good reason: most clients are back to normal life the same day.
It's also exceptionally effective as a preventative treatment. Used regularly, it keeps skin looking fresher for longer — not just correcting what's there now, but slowing what's coming.
Best for: Dullness, uneven skin tone, early signs of ageing, fine lines, enlarged pores, sun damage Course: 3 to 6 treatments | Pricing on consultation
BBL (BroadBand Light): Science-Backed Skin Rejuvenation
For sun-damaged, uneven, or ageing skin, BBL — BroadBand Light — is one of the most powerful tools in our clinic. And the science behind it is genuinely impressive.
BBL uses broad-spectrum light energy delivered across a range of wavelengths to target pigmentation, redness, and the visible effects of sun damage at a cellular level. Age spots darken briefly before lifting naturally from the skin over one to two weeks, leaving behind a clearer, more even complexion. Broken capillaries collapse. Redness settles. Skin tone becomes more uniform.
But what sets BBL apart from standard IPL is what it does deeper. A Stanford University study found that BBL actually changes the gene expression patterns of ageing skin — helping it behave more like younger skin at a biological level. Not just looking younger. Functioning younger. For a treatment with no downtime, that's a remarkable result.
Here in New Zealand, where our UV index is among the highest in the world, BBL is one of the most important treatments we offer. Sun damage is cumulative and relentless — and BBL is one of the few treatments that meaningfully addresses it from the inside out.
Best for: Age spots, sun damage, uneven skin tone, redness, rosacea, broken capillaries, fine lines Annual course recommended | Pricing on consultation
Ultraformer III: Non-Surgical Lifting and Tightening
When skin starts to lose firmness along the jawline, around the brows, or on the neck, Ultraformer III is our most effective answer.
Using MMFU (Micro and Macro Focused Ultrasound) technology, Ultraformer III delivers precise thermal energy into the deeper structural layers of the skin — the same layers a surgeon would target. This stimulates genuine collagen remodelling and creates a progressive lifting and tightening effect over three to six months. No needles. No downtime. Just your own skin, strengthened from within.
It's one of our most in-demand treatments for good reason. For anyone wanting to restore definition and firmness without surgery or injectables, this is the treatment worth knowing about.
Best for: Jawline laxity, jowls, neck and décolletage sagging, crow's feet, drooping brows Results last: Up to 12 to 18 months | Pricing on consultation
Our Approach
Ageing skin responds best to a combination approach: a high-tech course to create meaningful change, and consistent facials and homecare to support and maintain it. That's why we always begin with an Advanced Skin Consultation before recommending any course. It's free, it's thorough, and it means every recommendation is built around your skin specifically.
Five clinics across Auckland. A team with over 40 years of expertise. And a genuine commitment to helping your skin look and feel its best at every stage.
Book your Advanced Skin Consultation today. Free before any high-tech course. Ask us about our Skin Society Membership for monthly treatments, expert guidance, and exclusive savings.
About Face NZ. Serious About Skin for 40 Years.
