Menopause – how it affects the skin

Undoubtably, the menopause and peri-menopause along with other physical symptoms, affects hair and skin. Nevertheless, there are things that can be done to help.

If you’re seeing changes in your hair and skin post-menopause, you can usually blame rapidly declining levels of the hormone estrogen.

Estrogen promotes water retention and plumpness in the skin. When it drops, you lose some of the cell that keep the skin moisturised.

It also contributes to hair growth and fullness. Without it, your hair may become thinner.

Common skin and hair changes in Menopause

These are the most common changes people can expect in their skin and hair post-menopause.

Skin sagging and loss of plumpness.

Collagen is a protein that holds the body’s tissues together. When estrogen drops during peri-menopause and menopause, skin’s collagen production decreases, too. Loss of collagen means the skin loses its youthful volume and tightness.

To combat this problem, many people take collagen supplements or eat high-collagen foods like bone broth. At Flawless Aesthetic Clinic I recommend Flawlessceuticals Collagen Powder.

Facial yoga helps andcan be done anytime.

Dryness, flakiness and itching or Acne

You can usually manage post-menopause skin dryness with a good home care routine. I recommend:

• Cleanse skin gently: Even if your skin is dry, cleanse your skin each day to remove makeup and daily grime. Use a non-foaming, gentle cleanser designed for sensitive skin,with natural ingredients and short shelf life so have less preservatives. Flawlessceuticals prepare cleanser is available in clinic
• Moisturise daily: After menopause, many women need to up their moisture game. Moisturisers that contain hyaluronic acid help hold in water, keeping skin supple, Serums and creams with antioxidants may also help. Antioxidants like vitamin C fight off free radicals that contribute to aging and more importantly for cell turnover vitamin A/retinol. Flawlessceuticals have a daily moisturiser with SPF 50 and a night retinol cream Recover
• Avoid irritating ingredients: You don’t want to make skin troubles worse with ingredients that aggravate your skin. Avoid products with fragrance, colors and alcohol (usually listed as SD alcohol or denatured alcohol). If it smells or looks pretty, it’s probably not good for sensitive skin. Go for bland, colorless products with little to no scent and only exfoliate once or twice a week. Use glow for best results.
• Take warm, not hot, showers: Keep showers short and not too hot. Hot showers strip your skin of its natural oils, leaving it parched, moisturise immediately after you towel off. Skin can absorb ingredients better when it’s still damp.

Cosmeceutical skincare like Flawlessceuticals is what I recommend it’s researched and made by dermatologists and chemists for the best possible results for your skin.

If you see redness or rashes, see your doctor. A dermatologist can rule out issues like eczema, rosacea or allergic reactions and help you find a solution.

Dark spots

Those pesky dark marks, sometimes called age spots, often appear after menopause and they’re hard to treat at home.

Dark spots may not always respond to over-the-counter creams. There are several prescription creams that can help such as tretinoin which is a prescription-strength retinoid. If that’s not enough, in-clinic facial peels or microneedling treatments can fade individual spots and enhance the overall brightness and youthful appearance of the skin.

Unwanted facial hair

As hormones shift, you may notice hair on the upper lip or chin. The methods of tweezing, waxing, hair removal creams and threading will get rid of it — until it grows back.

Electrolysis is a permanent hair removal solution. It destroys the growth cells in hair follicles, so they can’t grow back. Most people need several appointments to get results. If you decide to go this route, choose a licensed electrologist

Laser hair removal can get rid of unwanted facial hair — but there’s a caveat. The laser targets melanin, which gives hair and skin its color, says. Laser treatment only works on dark hair. If your unwanted hair is light, the laser won’t work.

Post-menopause acne breakouts

Unfortunately, menopause doesn’t mean the end of spots. Differing from teenage spots, some women get acne throughout their lives while others get more acne when oestrogen levels drop after menopause.

If you notice post-menopause breakouts, don’t slam them with the strongest acne product you can find. Many of the acne products on store shelves are too harsh and drying for adults. Try a gentle cleanser that contains salicylic acid. If over-the-counter products aren’t working, see your me in clinic for a prescription solution.

Hair loss and thinning

Estrogen promotes hair growth, density and fullness. Therefore, during menopause, people may notice their hair is thinning, less full or shedding more.

Treat your scalp like fertiliser that you want to optimise for hair growth. If your scalp is dry, use gentle, moisturising shampoos and wash it less frequently. If your scalp is oily, however, you may want to shampoo every day. This varies from person to person.

And older adults are more likely to experience androgenic alopecia, often called male or female-pattern baldness. It can cause overall thinning or bald spots. As well as supplements like Biotin, over-the-counter products especially with the ingredient minoxidil can help.

Sun protection in the menopause is a must

No matter what your skin challenges are, sunscreen is your friend. Above all, slather it on every day, all year round. Sun protection can ward off signs of ageing and prevent skin cancer.

Always use a broad-spectrum sunscreen that’s SPF 20 or higher. Choose one you like so you’ll be more likely to apply every morning. It should be noted that if you’re going to be outside, reapply every two hours or after swimming, sweating or toweling off.

The sun’s rays age your skin and increase the risk of skin cancer. Even in the winter, UV rays penetrate the clouds.

Take care of your menopause

Last but not least, we may not like what time and hormone changes do to our skin and hair. But you have the power to maximise your well-being. Eat a healthy diet, get regular exercise, don’t smoke and see your doctor regularly. If you make good health a priority, you’ll feel — and look — your best.

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