Menopausal Skin Care

Menopause is a challenging time for women in many ways.  This article will focus on how menopause changes the makeup of the skin and menopausal skin care.  During menopause hormone levels change.  Estrogen is lowered and testosterone is unmasked.  These hormonal changes can wreak havoc on the skin.

Hormonal changes can result in:

• Loss of collagen and elastin, resulting in loss of skin’s resiliency.
• Supporting fat in the face being lost, which causes the skin to wrinkle and sag.
• Skin that is more prone to sun damage and brown spots or hyperpigmentation
• Adult acne
• Increase in facial hair
• Dryer, thinning skin.

There are some things that you can do to help improve your skin during menopause.

Exercise

20-30 minutes a day is recommended – this will increase circulation and get oxygen to your tissues – this will benefit both body and skin, especially during menopause.

Eat right

You should get approximately 30 percent of your calories from carbohydrates (mostly fresh fruits and vegetables) – 40 percent from lean protein – 30 percent from healthy fats.  This would include essential fatty acids, like the Omega-3’s found in salmon, walnuts and fortified eggs.  These help produce your skin’s oil barrier, which is essential in retaining moisture in the skin, before/during/after menopause.  If you can’t get enough Omega-3’s through food, add a fish oil supplement.  In addition, keep your sodium intake to a minimum to prevent fluid retention.

Drink more water

This will help flush your system of toxins and make your skin glow.

Menopausal Skin Care

Cleanse – removes debris and prepares skin for other products

Treat – treat your skin with antioxidants.  All antioxidants are anti-aging and they act to protect the skin.  Vitamin A (retinoids) and vitamin C are the most researched, most proven antioxidants for anti-aging.  Both help build collagen and are important during menopause.  Peptides are another skin care ingredient that is helpful to aging skin.  They help minimize fine lines and wrinkles and can increase thickness of the skin.

Moisturize – Use a good moisturizer to help with water loss and seal the skin.  With the reduction of estrogen, the skin begins to thin and cell turnover is reduced which can affect the barrier function of the skin.  It is important to not only moisturize the skin, but create a barrier to prevent water loss.

Sunscreen – Make sure you are protecting your skin from further damage.  Melanocytes are regulated by estrogen, so as estrogen drops, we have less natural protection from the sun.

Treatments

Exfoliations – A good exfoliating treatment every four to six weeks will invigorate the skin, remove dead skin cells, promote collagen production, bring oxygen to the skin and make all home care more effective.  Examples of exfoliating treatments would be Microdermabrasion, HydraFacial, and Chemical Exfoliations.

Microcurrent treatments – These are another good choice for menopausal skin. They promote collagen growth, tighten sagging skin and increases the production of ATP which provides energy to skin cells.

Waxing – If increased facial hair is an issue, waxing is a quick, inexpensive way to remove hair.

Your skin doesn’t have to show your age, even after menopause.  Understanding how the skin is being affected and what can be done to combat changes can go a long way in preventing aging skin.

Mary Hayse at Infuse Skin and Body can help design a treatment program for menopausal skin care.  She has completed advanced education in Skin Care Management for Menopause and Hormonal Dysfunction.  Set up a consultation by calling 309-360-9035.