Radiance at Every Stage: Hormones, Habits, and Skin Confidence

This month’s blog dives into three transformative topics to help you feel confident and radiant.
First, discover how perimenopause affects your skin and learn expert tips to adapt to its changing needs. Next, rethink New Year’s resolutions with a focus on sustainable habits that truly stick. Finally, explore why facials and a simple, effective skincare routine are your ultimate go-to for healthy, glowing skin. ​Keep reading for insights and inspiration to support your wellness journey!

The Perimenopause-Skin Connection: 

​How Hormonal Changes Impact Your Glow

Perimenopause is a time of transformation, bringing unique changes to your body and mind—and an incredible opportunity to embrace your evolving beauty! As you navigate this phase, your skin tells part of the story, reflecting the shifts happening within. While much of the conversation around perimenopause focuses on internal symptoms like mood swings or hot flashes, its effects on your skin are just as significant.

How Hormonal Changes Affect Your Skin
During perimenopause, fluctuating hormone levels—especially declining estrogen—can profoundly impact your skin. Here’s how:

• Dryness and Dehydration: Estrogen helps maintain the skin’s moisture levels. When levels drop, your skin may feel dry, tight, and less able to retain hydration.
• Loss of Firmness and Elasticity: Estrogen also stimulates collagen and elastin production. With declining levels, the skin’s support structure weakens, leading to sagging and fine lines.
• Thinner Skin: Reduced collagen levels can cause the skin to become thinner and more delicate, making it more prone to damage.
• Dullness: A slower cell turnover rate means dead skin cells accumulate on the surface, resulting in a lackluster complexion.
• Increased Sensitivity: Hormonal fluctuations can disrupt the skin’s natural barrier, leaving it more prone to redness and irritation.

If your once-plump skin is starting to feel thinner or drier, know that you’re not alone. These changes are part of a natural process, and there are ways to nurture your skin through them.

Our Inside-Out Approach to Skincare
Hormonal changes, lifestyle, and daily habits all influence your skin’s health. At Magnolia, we address both internal and external factors to uncover the root causes of skin concerns—like hormonal imbalances, stress, or nutritional deficiencies. By looking beyond the surface, we create personalized, holistic plans that nurture your skin and overall wellness, empowering you with effective tools to achieve lasting results.

Solutions for Glowing Skin: Our Recommended Treatments
As your skin changes, regular, targeted treatments can help you feel refreshed, rejuvenated and GLOWING while addressing these challenges head-on. Some of our top recommendations include:

• Magnolia Glow Facial: Deeply hydrates and revitalizes your skin with a powerful infusion of Vitamin C, Glutathione, and Hyaluronic Acid. This luxurious treatment uses 24k gold-tipped micro-needles to address dryness, dullness, and fine lines caused by declining estrogen. Optional Dysport/Botox can further refine pores and create a "glass skin" finish.

• Magnolia Advanced Facial: Combines deep cleansing, gentle exfoliation, and targeted treatments to address concerns like aging, dullness, or dehydration. Tailored products from GlyMed Plus and Prakash Organics leave your skin refreshed and glowing.These treatments are designed not just to pamper but to deliver visible results, helping your skin adapt beautifully to this phase of life. We recommend regular facial treatments every 4-6 weeks to maintain your skin’s health and ensure long-lasting results.

Why Magnolia?
At Magnolia Aesthetics and Wellness, we understand that navigating perimenopause can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. We’re here to help you embrace this season with confidence and care through personalized solutions that address your unique needs.

Whether you want to address surface skin concerns with treatments like our Magnolia Glow or Advanced Facials, or explore a deeper understanding of your body through our Perimenopause Optimization Hormone Program, our holistic approach ensures your skin thrives in harmony with the rest of your body.

We combine advanced testing, targeted treatments, and compassionate guidance to help you feel radiant and empowered. Let us support you on your journey to glowing, healthy skin and overall wellness.

Book your Magnolia Glow or Advanced Facial today, or schedule a consultation to explore our hormone program and take the next step in your perimenopause journey.

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Michelle's Soapbox

The Truth About New Years Resolutions

​Every January, many of us feel inspired to make changes. We set resolutions to improve our health, routines, or goals, hoping for a fresh start. While these intentions come from a place of hope and motivation, they can sometimes feel overwhelming when life gets in the way.

Rather than focusing on drastic overhauls, I encourage a gentler, more sustainable approach. True transformation happens when we focus on small, meaningful shifts that add up over time. As I often remind my clients, "Wellness is rooted in balance—it’s about creating a life that supports your goals without overwhelming you."

Why Quick Fixes Can Feel Overwhelming
It’s tempting to think we need to change everything all at once. But extreme routines—like intense workout schedules or cutting out entire food groups—often lead to burnout. That doesn’t mean resolutions are bad; it’s about how we approach them. Wellness is about balance and finding what works for your life, every day.

For example, imagine you’re in Italy, enjoying delicious pasta, wine, and cheese. It’s an incredible experience to savor, but would you want to eat like that every day? Probably not. Balance means embracing indulgences when they feel right while also returning to habits that nourish and sustain you long-term.  Each year, I visit the Movara Retreat to reset and realign my habits. It’s an experience that pushes me physically while giving me the space to refocus on what matters most. I leave feeling stronger, both in body and mind, with a renewed commitment to the small, daily practices that help me thrive. That’s what balance looks like to me.

Start Small, Think Big
Real change happens in the small, consistent actions we take daily. Begin with habits that feel manageable and meaningful:

• Commit to 15 minutes of movement a few times a week.
• ​Add a glass of water to your morning routine.
• Practice a few minutes of deep breathing or mindfulness daily.

A wellness lifestyle isn’t about rules or restrictions. It’s about living in a way that supports how you want to feel—physically, emotionally, and mentally. It’s about enjoying the pasta and wine but also knowing when to return to habits that make you feel your best.

A Compassionate Start to the New Year
As we approach the New Year, there’s no need to overhaul your life in one big leap. Instead, ask yourself:

• What small change could make a meaningful difference in how I feel?
• ​How can I build on that habit in a way that feels good to me?

Sustainable habits don’t just create change—they create a lifestyle. And that’s the ultimate goal: a life that supports your well-being every single day.

With Love!
Michelle
Nurse Practitioner & Founder, Magnolia

Michelle's Ride Or Die

Facials & Simple Skincare

Let’s get one thing straight—taking care of your skin isn’t a luxury. It’s a necessity. Regular facials and a simple, clean skincare routine are my ride-or-die because they keep your skin healthy and glowing. 

Here’s the truth: your skin deserves the same attention you give to your hair, nails, or anything else in your life. Think about it—it’s what you present to the world every day. Yet, so many of us push it to the bottom of the list. One thing I prioritize investing in is facials—here’s why they’re a must for me:

1- Skin Health: 
Facials hit the reset button—removing dead cells, unclogging pores, and creating the perfect foundation for glowing, healthy skin.
2- Anti-Aging Power: 
Derma-planing and peels are game-changers. They smooth, brighten, and soften fine lines, giving you that lit-from-within look.
3- Winter Glow & Hydration: 
Surviving a Minnesota winter isn’t easy on your skin. Facials replenish lost moisture and revive your complexion when you need it most.
4- Self-Care: 
Between work, kids, and relationships, life can be overwhelming. Facials aren’t just about looking good—they’re about carving out time to feel good in your own skin.

​But here’s the catch: even the best facials won’t deliver lasting results without a consistent daily routine. Aggressive treatments like peels and derma-planing can work wonders, but without giving your skin the regular care it deserves, the results won’t stick.

It doesn’t take a 10-step routine or the trendiest products—just keep it clean, simple, and consistent. You deserve to feel radiant, confident, and proud of your skin. Make facials and at-home care your norm, not your exception. Prioritize your face like the powerhouse it is.

Your skin will thank you—and so will your future self. 

Happy Glowing!
Michelle

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