Sydney Mother's Candid Cosmetic Treatment Journey in Her 40s
Financial educator and entrepreneur Canna Campbell, a 45-year-old mother of three from Sydney, has provided a refreshingly honest account of the cosmetic treatments she has undergone during her forties. Her approach has never centered on attempting to appear younger but rather on fostering self-confidence and embracing her current stage in life.
'None of this is about trying to look 25 again,' she explained in a recent interview. 'It's about embracing where I am in life, feeling good about myself and not letting something physical hold me back from living my life fully.'
The Catalyst for Change: Eyelid Surgery with Unexpected Benefits
Canna's journey into cosmetic treatments began partly out of curiosity, driven by advancements in skincare technology. However, the primary catalyst was a gradual change in her eyelids that affected both her appearance and confidence. She described her eyelids becoming heavier, giving her a perpetually exhausted and somewhat sad expression that she found increasingly difficult to ignore.
'I looked really tired and even a little bit sad,' she admitted. 'People kept asking if I was okay or telling me I looked exhausted, and eventually it started to make me feel that way too.'
After years of brushing off such comments, she decided to explore treatment options, leading her to undergo blepharoplasty, a cosmetic eyelid surgery performed by an ophthalmic surgeon. What started as a cosmetic consultation revealed a more serious issue: she had actually lost some peripheral vision in one eye due to the excess skin.
'I originally booked in just for the bleph, but it turned out I'd actually lost sight in the corner of my right eye,' she revealed. Consequently, her surgeon performed a slight brow lift simultaneously, which unexpectedly restored some of her vision. 'Getting some of my sight back was pretty cool. Honestly, it was the best decision for me.'
Successful Skin Treatments: Cosmelan and Laser Therapy
Beyond eyelid surgery, Canna found significant success with other professional treatments. Cosmelan, a professional depigmentation peel designed to address sun damage and pigmentation, delivered striking results when she first tried it approximately eight years ago.
Laser treatments also played a crucial role in enhancing her complexion, though she emphasised that the practitioner's expertise was paramount. 'Most laser treatments I tried barely touched my sunspots,' she noted. 'But when Dr Natasha Cook treated my skin years ago it was a complete game changer.' Remarkably, the results lasted nearly a decade, only beginning to fade after multiple rounds of IVF, two pregnancies, breastfeeding, and years of living by the beach.
The One Regrettable Procedure: Lip Filler Disaster
Not every cosmetic experiment yielded positive outcomes. Canna admitted to trying lip filler once, with results so far from her expectations that she promptly ruled it out forever. 'I looked like a trout,' she laughed. 'Never again.' Instead, she now relies on cosmetic tattooing for her brows and lips, which provides definition and colour even on makeup-free days.
Recovery and Daily Skincare Routine
The eyelid surgery involved a confronting recovery period, with bruising and steri-strips that made her feel self-conscious. 'I had bruising and little steri-strips across my eyelids. Honestly, I looked like I'd been through a few rounds with Mike Tyson.' To avoid alarming others, she wore sunglasses while healing, which ultimately sparked honest conversations about her experience.
Despite undergoing advanced procedures, Canna maintains a relatively simple daily skincare regimen. She uses a basic cleanser and moisturiser, investing instead in targeted serums prescribed by a skin therapist who adjusts treatments based on seasonal changes. 'Your skin changes throughout the year, so what works in summer doesn't necessarily work in winter.'
Her routine also incorporates red light therapy, facial massage, and buccal treatments to boost circulation and relaxation. 'Facial massage improves blood flow and glow, and sometimes it results in a very nice accidental power nap.'
Financial Responsibility and Advice for Others
As a financial education platform founder, Canna is meticulous about the cost of cosmetic treatments. She insists on saving for procedures upfront and never financing them through credit cards or buy-now-pay-later schemes. 'I always pay for treatments upfront and I would never put them on buy-now-pay-later or a credit card.' She often delays booking after research, a practice that has prevented wasteful spending.
'Sometimes that pause makes you realise you don't actually want or need the treatment after all,' she advised. 'Financial stress isn't good for the soul, or your skin.'
For women in their 40s considering cosmetic treatments, Canna emphasises patience and thorough research. 'Don't do anything impulsively. Talk to people who've had the treatment, understand the risks and costs, and make sure it aligns with what you actually want to achieve.' She recommends approaching such decisions as one would any investment, committing only after fully understanding the implications.
Now at 45, Canna believes ageing well is less about chasing youth and more about feeling comfortable and confident. Her journey underscores that cosmetic treatments can be empowering when approached with honesty, responsibility, and clear personal goals.
