POLOKWANE – Ladies from across the city came together in shades of pink for a day dedicated to awareness, strength and women’s wellness.

Aesthetico Medical Aesthetics, in collaboration with Biomedical Emporium, hosted Dr Judey Pretorius at Sugar ‘n Spice – Function and Décor Hire, on October 20, for an informative and empowering women’s wellness event.

The theme of the day was ‘Any Shade of Pink’ – and the ladies did not disappoint, arriving in beautiful pink outfits in various styles, in support of cancer awareness.

Co-owners Solene Wolhüter and Dr Anton Mathey, together with beauty therapist Rifilwe Kekae, welcomed Pretorius as the guest speaker of the day.

Pretorius delivered an insightful talk on the human skin, explaining how the skin is affected by ageing, and by our emotions – when we are happy, sad or angry. “We all want the goal of aging gracefully,” she said.

She spoke about cancer cells and the importance of prevention, noting that while many are willing to invest money to age gracefully, we should also be preventative when it comes to cancer. “We like cell division to take place if it’s the right cells and not when it’s the wrong cells.”

Pretorius explained that treatments like chemotherapy, radiation and oral cancer medication, which are designed to stop cell division, often cause side effects including pigmentation, severe dry skin, sensitivity, wounds and scars.

She described the skin as an organ that communicates with us – revealing what it can tolerate and what it cannot. “The human skin already tells you that I’m okay with a specific kind of acid and not all the other acids. Another name for human skin is acid mantle,” she said.

She advised that a chemical peel is one of the needed and healthiest treatments for the skin, and works in the same way as an investment – with long-term benefits.

Following Pretorius, family general practitioner Dr Rojas Callejas (from Dr Rojas Partners Medical Clinic in Lebowakgomo), addressed breast cancer awareness. Callejas encouraged women to check themselves thoroughly in the mirror for any signs of cancer, and to take early detection seriously.

After the talks, Pretorius engaged the ladies with quiz questions from her presentation, giving away gift hampers to those who answered correctly. Wolhüter also gave away hampers to the lucky draw winners after her own quiz round, where the ladies had find the secretly hidden numbers under certain plates.

Wolhüter thanked everyone for their support, and thanked especially Pretorius for travelling all the way from Pretoria to share her knowledge with the women of Polokwane. “We appreciate the support ladies, from the bottom of our hearts.”

The ladies enjoyed a light lunch, refreshments and cupcakes decorated with pink bows – a sweet touch in support of the fight against cancer.

It was a morning of learning, laughter and sisterhood – reminding every woman present that wellness, prevention and self-care matter.