HOW TO LOOK AFTER YOUR SKIN THROUGH MENOPAUSE

Menopause actually means your last menstrual period. The menopause is a natural event and occurs when your ovaries stop producing eggs and make less oestrogen (the main female hormone). 

As oestrogen levels reduce during the menopause and perimenopause, your skin can become less mobile and thinner. The low oestrogen levels can result in less blood flowing to the epidermis (the upper layer of your skin). Alongside this, more water loss from your skin leads to your skin becoming less hydrated. You may notice that your skin becomes more tired looking and develops more fine lines and wrinkles. The skin often becomes less elastic and looks less glowing as hormone levels decline; this is the cause of a menopause complexion.

Loss of Testosterone reduces production of Sebum depriving the skin of natural hydration resulting in dry itchy skin.

Menopause causes facial bone loss contributing to skin folds which are prominent from the nose to the mouth (nasolabial folds) and lines from the mouth to the jaw (jowls).

“Ageing is inevitable, looking your age is not.”

Collagen

Oestrogen is very important for the development of collagen, which is a supporting protein in the skin and provides strength and structure to the skin.

TREATMENT OPTIONS

• Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) 
• Skin care
• Injectables
• Skin Boosters
• Botulinum Toxin

Why is HRT good for your menopause skin?

Taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can improve skin hydration by replacing oestrogen levels in your body. Many women who take HRT often notice that their skin becomes brighter with an improved texture and tone. HRT can also reduce ageing of your skin. Your skin often looks firmer and plumper as the oestrogen works to strengthen the collagen and elastin fibres.

How can Skincare help your menopause skin?

MOISTURE, MOISTURE, MOISTURE. Moisturise daily essential to combat dry skin and retain hydration in the skin.

VITAMIN A applied at night – Retinol and Retinoids stimulate collagen. Minmises the appearance of wrinkles, loss of skin firmness and elasticity.

VITAMIN C applied in the morning – stimulates collagen production. Ensure it is present at ascorbic acid and PH level is <4 for it to penetrate the skin.

SPF. Use an SPF daily even on a cloudy day

Oestrogen protects the skin from ultraviolet rays from the sun. Low oestrogen accelerates skin cell damage- causing photodamage and pigmentation. It is essential that you use a sunscreen with a minimum SPF 30 to protect against UVB rays and avoid sun damage. Sunscreen should be reapplied every few hours. You could also wear a wide brimmed hat.

Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic acid restores fullness, elasticity and reduces fine lines.  Applied in a cream it will sit on the surface of the skin; to stimulate Oestrogen production Hyaluronic acid has to be injected into the skin.

There are two options of Hyaluronic acid replacement:

Skin boosters in the form of Profhilo, Revive, Violite, Jalupro, Sunekos. They are bio-remodelling treatments which stimulate natural healing within the skin, firstly by hydrating the skin and then stimulating the production of new collagen and elastin, Profhilo contains one of the highest concentrations of Hyaluronic acid on the market.

Another injectable form of Hyaluronic acid is with dermal fillers, which enhance the hyaluronic acid within the dermis. They also address bony loss, accelerated in menopause as dermal fillers will provide support and act like bone and restore volume loss, which will soften fine lines and wrinkles.

Botulinum toxin should be mentioned as a treatment for menopause. It won’t improve the quality or texture of the skin or reverse hormonal changes, but an anti-wrinkle treatment will reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.