Menopause can be one of the most challenging periods for women. This important stage in life is characterized by a variety of emotional and physical changes, including those affecting the skin. Not only does the skin’s physiology change in new ways, its condition can vary in a short time frame—from acne breakouts one month to puffiness the next. Symptoms of menopause may include:
- Oily skin and/or acne
- Enlarged pores
- Dry, itchy skin
- Hyperpigmentation
- Hot flashes
- Facial hair
- Thinning hair
- Brittle nails
- Accelerated signs of aging, i.e. deeper wrinkles, crepey or lax skin
The Cause of Menopausal Change
Hormonal shifts are the culprit. Rapidly declining levels of estrogen and progesterone result in less collagen and elastin production and repair, which ultimately thins the dermis and leads to wrinkled, sagging skin. Production of hyaluronic acid and oil also drops, causing dryer skin. As estrogen decreases, testosterone becomes more apparent, potentially leading to sebaceous gland stimulation (oily skin and acne) and facial hair growth. “Internal and external factors contribute to the process of skin aging” explains Dr. Ulmer. “With menopause there is a shift in the balance of certain hormones in the body contributing to biological aging. It is exciting to know that by understanding some of these processes, we can aim to delay the onset and slow the changes associated with biological skin aging.”
Treatments for Menopausal Skin
Starting an effective maintenance program with your dermatologist before menopause hits is a good preventative approach, but what do you do when you begin to see the symptoms of menopause? “You can push back the hands of time by taking some simple steps to slow the aging process”, says Dr. Rivers. “First maintain a good diet, exercise, and don’t smoke. Once these have been attended to, focus on your skin by considering a good sunscreen, vitamin A (retinoids) creams and other anti-aging products.”
Treatments for menopausal skin vary based on the specific issues you are experiencing, but some of the broader-based recommendations that we make to patients include:
- Use sunscreen even more frequently – Broad spectrum sunscreens help fight dry skin and pigmentation.
- Include essential fatty acids in your diet – Omega-3s such as those found in salmon and walnuts help support your skin’s oil barrier.
- Add retinol to your skin care routine – Retinol can strengthen skin and stimulate collagen, especially when used before the menopausal years.
- Consider dermal fillers – Hyaluronic-acid based fillers attract water to the skin’s lower layers, making it look plumper, filling out deep wrinkles and creases. Fillers can also add lift, fill out lips and rebuild sunken areas of the face. There is also mounting information that these products may stimulate collagen formation as well.
- Consider energy and light based devices – such as Fraxel laser, IPL and Thermage for lifting and tightening
Dr. Ulmer adds, “I think we all want to look our best at every age. Fortunately there are a number of things we can do to not only maintain the health and appearance of the skin in mid-life but also repair some of the damage that has been done in the past. I find that a combination treatment approach tends to be the most effective way to accomplish this.”