Urban sense wellness clinic

06/11/2025

Is your skin feeling drier than it used to? Let’s talk hydration + ageing skin

As we move through our 40s, 50s and beyond, our skin naturally changes. One of the biggest reasons? Falling oestrogen levels.

When oestrogen drops, so does our collagen and elastin (the structural fibres that keep our skin firm, plump and able to hold moisture).
This means our skin doesn't retain water the way it used to — leading to:

✨ Dryness
✨ Fine lines + deeper wrinkles
✨ Flakiness and sensitivity
✨ A feeling of “tight” or dehydrated skin, even after moisturising

This is where intelligent hydration makes all the difference.

Prologic Hyaluronic Acid Spray + Serum

These two products are all about layered hydration — feeding your skin the moisture it can actually hold onto.

How it works:
Hyaluronic Acid is a naturally occurring molecule in the skin that can hold up to 1000x its weight in water. As we age, we simply produce less of it. When we replace it, we restore that juicy, plump, healthy glow.

The Prologic difference:
✅ Medical-grade active hyaluronic acid
✅ Absorbs instantly (no sticky film)
✅ Suitable for sensitive and ageing skin
✅ Restores hydration from within the skin layers

How to use

Hyaluronic Spray → Mist after cleansing to prep + hydrate

Hyaluronic Serum → Apply while the skin is still slightly damp to lock moisture in. Finish with your moisturiser or facial oil and sunscreen.

This combo is transformative for mature, dry, or stressed skin.

If your skin is feeling parched, creased, or thirsty, and you’re wanting to rebuild that natural glow…
Send me a message or comment below — I can help you choose the best routine for your skin.

05/11/2025

💫 Wake up to calm, nourished, glowing skin.

My clients are loving our NEW Prologic Luna Calm Night Treatment that contains an advanced formulation targeting stress release for the skin and mind.

Perfect for dry, irritated & ageing skin → it hydrates, soothes & renews while you sleep

Use it nightly or as a weekly skin-boosting treat… Ladies, you’ll ALL want this in your routine.

What does this magic cream contain?

Kannabia sense - derived from cannabis sative stem cells (free from cannabinoids), rich in terpenes, polyphenols and short chain fatty acids - magic combo for your skin & mood.

Turmeria Zen - turmeric-stem-cells that reduce stress and promote defensive compounds that repair and protect skin.

Green tea, grapeseed oil & shea butter provide antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and lipid replenishment.

"LunaCalm isn't about calming the skin, it's about calming the person in it"

17/10/2025

Why Detox Matters — Especially for Women Over 35

Every day, our bodies are quietly exposed to toxins from food, water, skincare, plastics, and even stress. Over time, this adds up.

If your detox pathways (liver, gut, lymph, and skin) are sluggish, you might notice fatigue, bloating, breakouts, or hormone imbalance — your body’s gentle nudge that it’s time for support. 🌿

That’s where Detox + Replenish come in — the perfect duo to cleanse, nourish, and rebalance your system. Detox supports daily toxin removal, while Replenish soothes the gut, restores the microbiome, and supports hormone balance and mood.

Simple daily rituals make all the difference:
Hydrate first thing in the morning
Eat protein for breakfast
Get early sunlight exposure
Move your body
Check in with your mood, energy, and digestion

Prevention is always better than cure — small daily steps build long-term vitality.

👉 Download your free Low-Tox-Guide https://www.urbansensewellnessclinic.com.au/newsletterpatientdownloads

15/10/2025

Why Do Things Start to Go Wrong in Our 40s?

Ever feel like your body just ran out of petrol one day?
You’re not imagining it and it’s about “getting older.”

By our 40s, years of juggling family, work, stress, late nights, and skipping self-care finally catch up. Hormones begin to shift, metabolism slows, stress resilience drops, and the body’s repair systems start running on empty.

It’s like driving on fumes — you can still move, but everything feels harder. You’re tired, foggy, moody, craving sugar or coffee just to get through the day.

The good news? You can refill your tank.
With the right nutrition, hormone balance support, movement, and rest, your energy, mood, and metabolism can come back online stronger than before, but you have to be prepared to make a few adjustments to your diet, lifestyle and nutritional health.

This is your reminder that the earlier we make these changes and fill our tank the easier your midlife change will be. Don’t wait until you break down to refuel.

Start today. Your body will thank you later. 💙

14/10/2025

We’ve Moved to Preston – and You’re Invited to Experience Our New Space

We’re delighted to announce the opening of our new clinic in Preston — a calm, welcoming environment designed to support women through every stage of hormonal change and healthy ageing.

To celebrate this exciting move, we’re offering all new bookings this month a complimentary Bodystat Health Review.

The Bodystat (QuadScan) is a quick, non-invasive body composition assessment that provides a detailed view of your inner health. Using advanced bioelectrical impedance technology, it measures key health markers to help guide your wellness plan, including:

Body composition – the balance between muscle, fat and lean tissue

Muscle and fat percentages – for tailored weight management support

Healthy ageing indicators – cellular vitality and metabolic efficiency

Hydration and fluid balance – understanding where your body stores water

Nutritional status – insight into how effectively your body uses nutrients

Each scan includes a comprehensive printed report with clear, personalised insights into your body’s composition, hydration and energy profile.

For women navigating hormonal change and weight gain, this assessment can be particularly valuable, offering clarity on what’s changing within your body and how to best support energy, metabolism and long-term health.

🎁 Book your appointment this month to receive your complimentary Metascan Health Review

Menopause and Women's Health Specialist providing natural solutions | Cheryl Penna is a Melbourne Naturopath in the area of Perimenopause, Menopausal Hormone Balance - Naturopaths servicing Clifton Hill, Carlton, Richmond, Collingwood, Kew, Northcote, Thornbury, Preston, Brunswick and Fairfield. As....

01/10/2025

Fresh Season, Fresh Start 🌿

Spring is the season of renewal — the perfect time to reset your body and mind.
Think: lighter meals, brighter energy, and feeling good in your skin as summer approaches.

Simple shifts make a big difference:
🌱 Choose fresh, seasonal foods
🌱 Move your body daily
🌱 Support your gut & metabolism

If you’d love a little guidance, our 21-Day Optimal Fat-loss Program has helped so many people feel lighter, clearer, and full of energy — just in time for summer.

Ready to refresh? Reach out and let’s get started.

https://www.urbansensewellnessclinic.com.au/weightloss

Based on the work of Dr Simeon, our Optimal Weight loss Program is quick & easy to follow, and the results are phenomenal.

30/09/2025

Adult Acne: More Common Than You Think

Did you know that acne isn’t just a teenage problem? Many women experience breakouts well into their 30s, 40s, and even 50s. Adult acne is often driven by hormonal changes, stress, insulin resistance, diet, and skin microbiome imbalances.

The good news? With the right holistic approach, you can restore balance and support clear, healthy skin.

Inside-out support:

Choose a low-GI diet and cut down on A1 dairy intake.

Where indicated, add key nutrients like zinc, omega-3s, vitamin A and vit D to help with immune and nutrient support.

Support your gut health with probiotics and fibre to ensure optimal function, toxic-waste elimination and bowel regularity.

Manage stress and get restorative sleep.

Outside-in skin care:

At Urban Sense, I use Prologic Skincare – a pure, natural, and corneotherapy-based range designed to nourish and repair the skin barrier. Prologic products are rich in antioxidants, peptides, and botanical actives to calm inflammation and reduce breakouts while protecting your skin’s long-term health.

Whether your acne is hormonal, stress-related, or linked to diet, a combined internal + external approach makes all the difference.

If you’re struggling with persistent breakouts, let’s talk about a plan that supports your whole body and skin health.

30/09/2025

Your Mammogram Could Save More Than Your Breasts – It Could Save Your Heart” 💖

Did you know cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in women worldwide? Yet in practice, many women are under-diagnosed, under-treated, or assumed to be “low risk” simply because guidelines have historically been based mostly on men.

A new study from The George Institute shows a fascinating, promising approach: by analysing routine mammograms (breast screening images), a machine learning model can accurately predict cardiovascular risk in women using only mammographic image features and age — with performance comparable to standard risk calculators.

Here are a few key reasons why this matters (and why women deserve sex-specific assessment and care):

Why this is important

Women’s symptoms often differ
Heart disease in women may present atypically (e.g., nausea, fatigue, jaw or back pain) rather than classic chest pain. That leads to delays in diagnosis.

Risk calculators may mis-estimate women’s risk
Traditional tools rely on risk factors like blood pressure, cholesterol, smoking history, etc. But these models were built largely on male populations and may not capture female-specific nuances or pathophysiology.

Opportunity for “two-for-one” screening
Mammographic screening already engages many women in midlife, the same period when cardiovascular risk is rising. Using the same imaging data to also flag heart risk means we can “piggyback” cardiovascular screening onto an existing pathway.

Earlier detection = more prevention
Identifying women at elevated risk earlier means lifestyle or medical interventions can be applied sooner, ideally before major events like heart attack or stroke.

Addressing equity & under-treatment
Numerous studies show women are less likely to be referred for advanced diagnostics, less likely to receive guideline-recommended therapies, and more likely to have worse outcomes after events. This kind of female-tailored screening helps close that gap.

A voice speaking up: Dr Clare Arnott on radio!

I also came across a recent ABC Radio interview where Associate Professor Clare Arnott, a cardiologist leading this research, discusses the gender gap in heart disease, and how AI + mammograms might help shift the paradigm.

In “Changing Australia” (ABC Radio) she outlines her mission: using cutting-edge tools to improve detection in women, and also the establishment of Australia’s first Women’s Heart Clinic to better tailor diagnosis and therapy for women.

Heart disease is one of Australia's biggest killers yet there's a gender gap in how best to treat the disease. Cardiologist Dr Clare Arnott is trying to close that gap, conducting groundbreaking research using AI and mammograms to predict a woman's risk of heart disease. She's also set up Australia'...

29/09/2025

We’re thrilled to share some exciting news—our clinic is relocating to a fresh, modern space this October, designed to better support your care and comfort.

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Starting Friday, October 10th, you’ll find us at our new home:

Suite G1A, Corporate One

84 Hotham Street

Preston VIC 3072

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Our final day at the Clifton Hill location will be Monday, October 6th, so please plan any visits or supplement reorders accordingly.

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You can still place orders via telephone, online or email that can be posted out after the 6th of October. You won't be able to pick up orders in person until Friday 10th October.

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Our new location offers improved accessibility, a welcoming environment, and upgraded facilities including an onsite café, to enhance your experience.

Getting here is easy:

Train: Bell Station is just 650m away, with Preston and Thornbury Stations also nearby

Tram: Route 86 stops at Bell Street & Plenty Road—just a short walk away

Bus: Multiple routes stop within walking distance of Corporate One

Driving: Onsite paid parking available, plus free 2-hour street parking

29/09/2025

BREAKING NEWS: Rising Cholesterol Could Be an Early Sign of Perimenopause

Did you know that changes in your cholesterol could appear before irregular periods?

Recent research (January 2025, PMID: 39902165) followed over 2,000 women and confirmed something I see often in my clinic: many women in their 40s and 50s experience unexplained cholesterol spikes—and it’s not their fault.

Even with healthy habits, your cholesterol can rise due to hormonal shifts. The study found that small dense LDL particles—the type most strongly linked to heart disease, increase during perimenopause, independent of age. These particles are even better predictors of cardiovascular risk than total cholesterol.

What does this mean for you?

Rising cholesterol in your 40s-50s could be your body’s early warning system for hormonal changes.

This is what is being termed as "The Metabolic Syndrome of Menopause", a real biological shift we need to recognize.

Many women are advised that they need to start medication such as a statin prescription without exploring the hormonal connection first.

If your cholesterol has suddenly spiked, ask your doctor about advanced testing:
✅ Small dense LDL particles
✅ ApoB
✅ Lipoprotein(a)

Your labs are giving you important clues that things are changing. Understanding the hormonal link could help you take action early and protect your long-term heart and metabolic health.

Share this with women in your life who’ve had unexplained cholesterol changes. Knowledge is power!

25/09/2025

Did you know perimenopause doesn’t just suddenly happen — it unfolds in 4 distinct stages starting as early as your mid-30s?

Each stage brings its own hormone shifts, symptoms, and self-care needs:

🌿 Stage 1 (35–37 yrs): Early PMS-like changes from lower progesterone — mood shifts, sleep issues, fatigue.
🌿 Stage 2 (42–45 yrs): Estrogen “storms” + progesterone drop — heavier periods, hot flushes, anxiety, rage/overwhelm, libido drop.
🌿 Stage 3 (45–48 yrs): Big hormone declines — joint pain, night sweats, vaginal dryness, mood swings, brain fog, sleep struggles.
🌿 Stage 4 (49–52 yrs): Transition into menopause — persistent flushes, skin & hair changes, weight gain, bone and heart health risks.

On social media there’s a lot of talk about jumping straight into Menopause Hormone Therapy (MHT) at the first sign of symptoms. The truth is not every woman needs MHT right away.

For some women, the right combination of herbal medicine, nutrition, and lifestyle strategies may be enough. For others, MHT can be a valuable tool. And for many, the best results come from a combined plan — where MHT is layered on top of a strong foundation of holistic support.

That’s where the SHIFTS framework comes in:
✨ Stress & Nervous system Adaptation
✨ Hormone support during each phase as needed
✨ Individual treatment based on symptoms
✨ Food as Medicine to support metabolic changes
✨ Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes - circadian rhythm, sleep,
strength training
✨ Somatic Practices - breath work, grounding, yoga

You don’t have to navigate perimenopause alone — with the right tools, this transition can be a time of strength, clarity, and renewal.

If you’re curious where you might be in your own perimenopause journey, or how to ease your symptoms naturally, I’d love to guide you.

24/09/2025

🌱 Why Seasonal Eating Matters

Have you noticed how certain foods just feel right in different seasons?

That’s no coincidence—nature designs foods to match what our bodies need most at that time of year.

✨ Summer fruits cool and hydrate.
✨ Winter veggies ground and nourish.
✨ Spring greens detox and refresh.

When we eat out of season—like strawberries in winter or heavy root vegetables in summer—our digestion can struggle. This mismatch may lead to bloating, sluggishness, and even stubborn weight gain.

By eating seasonally, you’ll support better digestion, balanced energy, and a natural way to keep your weight in check.

Next time you shop, ask: what’s fresh and in season right now? Your body will thank you.