THE MENOPAUSE & YOUR SKIN
The menopause usually hits between the ages of 45 to 55. This results in big hormonal changes in your body, not just affecting your mental and physical health, but also the health of your skin. .
What is the menopause?
Menopause is the end of your reproductive life when your periods cease.
What is perimenopause?
Perimenopause is the period prior to menopause when the ovaries start to produce less oestrogen. This in turn, causes and imbalance in progesterone. As oestrogen helps keep your skin nice and moist and plump, this reduction can result in dry/dehydrated skin that looks thinner and less glowing.
Awareness and preparation are the keys to preventing or minimising your menopausal skin health issues.
How else does menopausal skin change?
Hand in hand with declining oestrogen is the loss of collagen and elastin, which gives her skin structure and elasticity.
From the early 20’s we lose collagen at about 1 percent per year, but during the first five years of menopause this loss is accelerated.
Collagen loss is also exacerbated by environmental factors, such as smoking, pollution and UV damage.
Did you know acne can start during perimenopause?
when the levels of collagen and elastin nosedive, processes which support skin healing and the skin barrier slow down. This can cause skin to become thinner, more prone to dryness, wrinkles and facial discolouration, and it can also lead to acne breakouts.
How can I help my skin during perimenopause and menopause?
Stay Hydrated:
Drinking plenty of water and a healthy diet with limited alcohol will not only keep you generally healthy but also support healthy skin.
Oestrogen helps maintain skin hydration which in turn helps to prevent lines, wrinkles and sagging. Keeping skin hydrated in other ways can help reduce dehydrated skin. Look out for products that contain ingredients such as Hyaluronic Acid, a naturally occurring hydrating skin molecule.
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT):
See your GP to weigh up the risks versus benefits.
Review your skincare plan:
It may be time to change your daily skincare regime. Products that have worked for you in the past may no longer be helpful. See your Aesthetic practitioner for guidance.
You may need gentler formulations, but retinoids are proven in reducing lines and wrinkles. Acids, such as glycolic Acid can help brighten your skin and Vitamin C if tolerated, is also brightening and protective.
Exercise:
We know this supports a healthy body and mind, so stay active.
In clinic Treatments:
Dermal Fillers (Kysense) and Hydrating Skin Boosters (Juvederm Volite, Viscoderm Hydrobooster and Profhilo) both “inject” your skin with lots of Hyaluronic Acid, replacing lost volume, reducing sagging and laxity and softening lines and wrinkles.
Collagen Stimulators, such as Sculptra and Hybrid products like HArmonyCa can also promote firmer more hydrated skin and reduce sagging, laxity and lines.
Polynucleotides also stimulate our collagen and elastin producing fibroblast skin cells. DNA rejuvenation at its best! Improved hydration and micro-circulation, plumper skin and reduced fine lines.
If injectables aren’t your thing then there are energy-based treatments such as radiofrequency micro-needling (Secret RF) and micro-needling with mesotherapy including hyaluronic acid (Wow Fusion). Chemical Peels can also stimulate the skin and slough off that dull top layer. LED phototherapy is also worth a mention (Dermalux LED Compact Lite) for it’s anti-inflammatory and skin rejuvenating benefits.
