A Sydney mum-of-three has revealed the cosmetic treatments she says genuinely improved her skin in her 40s – along with the one procedure she tried once and vowed never to repeat.
Financial educator and entrepreneur Canna Campbell, 45, recently shared a refreshingly honest breakdown of the treatments she’s had over the years, explaining that her approach has never been about trying to look younger, but about feeling confident in her own skin.
‘None of this is about trying to look 25 again,’ she told the Daily Mail.
‘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.’
Her journey into cosmetic treatments began partly out of curiosity, but also because of how dramatically skincare technology has evolved.
She said she was fascinated by the idea that modern treatments could undo some of the damage and ‘regret’ many Australians accumulate after years in the sun.
But the real catalyst came when changes around her eyes began affecting both her appearance and confidence.
Canna said her eyelids had gradually become heavier, giving her a permanently exhausted look that she struggled to ignore.
Sydney mum-of-three, Canna Campbell (pictured), has revealed the cosmetic treatments she says genuinely improved her skin in her mid-40s – along with the one procedure she tried once and vowed never to repeat. Pictured: Now at 45 years old
A financial educator and entrepreneur Canna, recently shared a refreshingly honest breakdown of the treatments she’s had over the years in order to feel confident in her own skin, including a blepharoplasty – a cosmetic eyelid surgery to improve her hooded skin – and brow lift. Pictured: Post surgery
Before her surgery (pictured), Canna said her eyelids had gradually become heavier, giving her a permanently exhausted look that she struggled to ignore. Plus her surgeon had told her it was affecting her eyesight too
‘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 trying to brush off the comments for years, she eventually decided to explore treatment options.
‘I came to a point where I thought, enough is enough – I’m not happy about this and there are safe options available, so why not look into them?’
That decision led her to undergo blepharoplasty, a cosmetic eyelid surgery, performed by an ophthalmic surgeon.
What started as a cosmetic consultation quickly revealed something more serious: 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 said.
As a result, her surgeon performed a slight brow lift at the same time, which was a procedure that ended up restoring some of that vision.
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Laser treatments also played a role in improving her complexion, although she emphasised that the expertise of the practitioner made a significant difference to zap her visible pigmentation and sun damage
Another treatment she had that delivered equally impressive results was Cosmelan, a professional depigmentation peel designed to treat sun damage and pigmentation
‘Getting some of my sight back was pretty cool. Honestly, it was the best decision for me.’
Looking back, she now wishes she had spoken about the surgery more openly at the time.
‘I was warned it might be a bit polarising to share, but after finally posting about it this week, I’ve had so many women reach out saying they felt exactly the same way and didn’t know where to start.’
While the eyelid surgery dramatically refreshed her appearance, another treatment delivered equally impressive results: Cosmelan, a professional depigmentation peel designed to treat sun damage and pigmentation.
She first tried the treatment around eight years ago and said the results were striking.
Laser treatments also played a role in improving her complexion, although she emphasised that the expertise of the practitioner made a significant difference.
Canna admitted she tried lip filler once, but the result was so far from what she wanted giving a ‘trout pout’, that she quickly ruled it out forever. Now relies on cosmetic tattooing for her brows and lips, which she said gives her definition and colour even on makeup-free days
‘Most laser treatments I tried barely touched my sunspots,’ she said.
‘But when Dr Natasha Cook treated my skin years ago it was a complete game changer,’ and remarkably, the results lasted almost a decade.
Her sunspots only began creeping back eight years later – something she believes is understandable after multiple rounds of IVF, two pregnancies, breastfeeding and years living by the beach.
‘I think that’s incredible considering everything my skin has been through since then,’ she said.
Not every cosmetic experiment has been a success, however, with Canna admitting she tried lip filler once, but the result was so far from what she wanted that she quickly ruled it out forever.
‘I looked like a trout,’ she laughed.
‘Never again.’
Despite trying advanced procedures, Canna said her daily skincare routine is relatively simple with targeted serums for summer and winter and daily LED light therapy
Instead, she now relies on cosmetic tattooing for her brows and lips, which she said gives her definition and colour even on makeup-free days.
‘It gives shape, colour and confidence without needing constant maintenance.’
However, of all the treatments she’s tried, the eyelid surgery came with the most confronting recovery.
‘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 frightening children while she healed, she wore sunglasses whenever she went out.
‘But once I told people what I’d done, they were incredibly curious and supportive. It actually opened up a lot of really honest conversations.’
Despite trying advanced procedures, Canna said her daily skincare routine today is relatively simple.
Alongside skincare, she incorporates facial massage and buccal treatments into her routine to boost circulation and relaxation. ‘Facial massage improves blood flow and glow, and sometimes it results in a very nice accidental power nap’ she added
She uses a basic cleanser and moisturiser, choosing instead to invest in targeted serums prescribed by a skin therapist who analyses her skin and adjusts treatments based on seasonal changes.
‘Your skin changes throughout the year, so what works in summer doesn’t necessarily work in winter, especially when you’re around heating and fireplaces.’
Alongside skincare, she incorporates red light therapy, facial massage and buccal treatments into her routine to boost circulation and relaxation.
‘Facial massage improves blood flow and glow, and sometimes it results in a very nice accidental power nap.’
As the founder of a financial education platform, Canna is also careful about how she approaches the cost of cosmetic treatments.
She insisted she never finances procedures and always saves for them first.
As the founder of a financial education platform, Canna is always careful about how she approaches the cost of cosmetic treatments. She insists she always saves for them first. ‘I always pay for treatments upfront and I would never put them on buy-now-pay-later or a credit card’
‘I always pay for treatments upfront and I would never put them on buy-now-pay-later or a credit card.’
In fact, she often delays booking procedures after researching them – something she said has saved her from wasting money in the past.
‘Sometimes that pause makes you realise you don’t actually want or need the treatment after all.’
‘Financial stress isn’t good for the soul, or your skin,’ she said.
She believes it’s possible to enjoy beauty and fashion while still being financially responsible and independent.
Now 45, Canna said ageing well is less about chasing youth and more about feeling comfortable and confident in herself when she walks out her front door.
And for women in their 40s considering cosmetic treatments, she said patience and research are essential.
‘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.’
‘Approach it the same way you would any investment – only commit once you truly understand what you’re getting into.’
