Our Skin in Menopause

Hey sister! Soooooo… you’re in menopause? Congrats! You’ve come a long way since your pre-menopausal days. And while this is OUR time to shine, it’s also a time when your body is undergoing some major changes. Some of them may be more obvious (like hair loss or weight gain), but did you know that menopause can also have an effect on the skin?  And while we can sometimes camouflage a menopausal belly or do a deep side part for the hair, your skin is on display!

Read on: we’ll cover everything you need to know about how menopausal skin works and what happens when hormones start fluctuating out of whack.

Hormonal changes during menopause affect the skin (yassss)

Hormonal changes during menopause can cause skin problems, such as dryness and thinning. Estrogen levels decrease after menopause, which can lead to fat accumulation in the skin. This makes wrinkles more prominent, and age spots more visible because there is less oil being produced to protect it from external factors like pollution or sun damage. The skin also becomes thinner due to lower collagen and elastin production, which makes it more sensitive than usual.

So how do we keep our skin looking great? There are a few easy steps you can take to help keep your complexion smooth and hydrated:

Changes in hormone levels can lead to reduced production of collagen and elastin, which are responsible for skin structure and elasticity.

When the estrogen levels decline during menopause, androgens—male hormones like testosterone—can increase. This can cause acne breakouts, as well as hair loss in some women.

Your skin is responsible for protecting your body from outside invaders (like bacteria) and helps regulate body temperature through sweating. It also helps regulate blood flow by giving off heat when it’s hot and absorbing heat when it’s cold; this is why your face turns red when you exercise!

Skin damage can be caused by sunburn or exposure to other sources of ultraviolet radiation (UVR), such as tanning beds or lamps that emit UVR. The effects of UVR can range from mild erythema (redness) to severe burns with blistering and peeling of the skin surface.*

Skin dries out due to a reduction in circulation.

The skin is our largest organ and also the one that’s most exposed to the outside world. This means it’s vulnerable to aging and environmental attacks, but it can also become dry as we get older. Dry skin isn’t an inevitable part of getting older—it can be caused by a number of factors, including menopause and aging. It may not seem like much of a problem at first—you might only notice a few flaky patches here or there during winter—but if left untreated for too long, dryness can make your skin uncomfortable and even painful.  Testosterone also helps with the oiliness of the skin–which NOW WE WANT!!!

To prevent this from happening:

• Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water every day (about 10 glasses).

• Use moisturizers (here’s my favorite: https://amzn.to/3bTUT3n) after showering or bathing in addition to using sunscreen when outdoors in order to lock in moisture before it evaporates away from your body through evaporation without being replaced by water.  You can use this on your face as well, especially after a peel, too much sun or even as a weekly mask!)

Lower levels of estradiol, a type of estrogen, leads to increased fat accumulation on the body, which alters appearance.

Estrogen is responsible for the distribution of body fat. It helps to keep body fat in the hips and thighs and away from the abdomen, which is why women tend to have a pear shape. When estrogen levels drop during menopause, fat begins to accumulate around our waists, buttocks, and upper arms. This can result in a weight gain of up to five pounds per year as well as an increase in body mass index (BMI).

Wrinkles become more prominent because of reduced collagen and nerve activity around the facial muscles that cause wrinkles.

As we (gasp!) age, our skin loses elasticity and becomes thinner. The increased fragility of the skin increases the risk of bruising, cuts, burns and other injuries. The changes in collagen and elastin also contribute to wrinkles becoming more prominent because of reduced nerve activity around the facial muscles that cause wrinkles.

Additionally, wrinkling due to lack of collagen production can be accelerated by smoking or excessive sun exposure through unprotected exposure to UV rays or tanning beds that can damage your DNA leading to premature aging effects like wrinkles and fine lines as well as cancerous growths like melanoma (skin cancer). So a really good SPF is the bomb, and I’ve taken to even wearing one of those fashionable hats that I’ve even seen on the likes of Jennifer Aniston and JLo.  (link here: https://amzn.to/3bPldfe)

Age spots become more visible because skin becomes thinner.

Your skin is getting thinner, which means age spots become more visible. This is because of:

• Less collagen and elastin

• Less circulation

• Less nerve activity

Remedy? A good Retinol (https://amzn.to/3dpAVxT) or try Cyspera, which is a prescription skin lightener that has amazing results!  We are a licensed Cyspera provider!

Menopause is associated with a number of changes in skin health, but there are ways to manage them.

There are plenty of gorgeous role models of women who have aged with their skin beautifully.  Here are some ways you can care for your complexion at this time:

• Proper cleansing and moisturizing routines are key. You should use gentle cleansers (avoid harsh soaps) and moisturizers that aren’t too greasy or heavy-feeling—and don’t forget SPF lotion!  I love oil-based cleansers and am particularly fond of the South Korean skin products (they are organic and inexpensive WIN WIN WIN)

• Take care when choosing products for sensitive areas like around the eyes; many eye creams contain oil which can cause stinging if applied close enough.

• Know your particular skin type!  If you’re not sure, ask us!

• If you’re having trouble finding products that work for you individually, ask us what we use—you might be surprised at how much overlap there is!

Conclusion

To wrap things up, we have to say that the whole thing is a pain in the ass. It sucks having wrinkles when you don’t want them, or having dark spots on your face when all you want is to look pretty. But there are ways to make it better! And no matter what happens during this time in your life, remember that every woman goes through this and we all look amazing. So if you need some confidence boost today then just remember that these are minor changes compared to how great your life will be after menopause is over!

Affiliate links: we may earn a small commission off products mention here, although they are products that Dr. Bartos uses herself–those commissions are donated to Healthcare for All Women to continue education about perimenopause and menopause issues.