THE TRUTH ABOUT SKIN CHANGES CAUSED DUE TO MENOPAUSE:
While your perception and self-confidence may expand as you get older, but definitely not many of your hormone levels do. Most women reach menopause between the ages of 40 and 60 which is defined as the end of a woman’s menstrual period after duration of 12 months without having periods. This is when the ovaries stop producing eggs, periods stop, and oestrogen production starts to drop due to which your body has a tough time producing collagen, making your skin more prone to dryness and fragility. Oestrogen influences each organ of the body including the skin. Oestrogen receptors are generally plentiful around the face, vaginal area and lower limbs. Due to weight gain during menopause, some women may experience acanthosis nigricans which is a type of skin discoloration wherein the skin may appear dark and patchy, particularly on the neck, armpits and groin area.
Many women’s skin changes during menopause, both in terms of appearance and feel. As the skin ages, wrinkles, atrophy, dry skin, dark patches, and skin folds may become more noticeable. During perimenopause, changes in skin pH and random fluctuations in hormone levels can aggravate prevailing skin disorders such as psoriasis, rosacea, acne, and eczema. The hormonal changes that accompany menopause have a substantial impact on both the inside and outside of the body. It’s normal to witness a decrease in skin moisture, suppleness, and thickness as a result of oestrogen loss. The problem of hair thinning is also noticeable among many women due to the hormonal misbalance at menopause. During menopause, as the levels of oestrogen drop drastically but continue to produce testosterone at the same levels, this imbalance of hormones causes thick hair growth on chin and jawline.
Here are some of the tops tips for women to follow to fight against the skin changes of menopause:
1. Apply sunscreen every single day irrespective of the tone of your skin. Whether you are going outdoors or staying indoors, using a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher is advisable to protect your skin from harsh UV rays.
2. Since dry skin is the most common problem during menopause, the best thing you can do for your skin is to moisturize with a heavier cream to provide maximum hydration to the skin.
3. As we speak of hydration, the next thing to keep in mind is to drink lots and lots of water.
4. Start using skin products containing retinol, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide which are soothing and hydrating ingredients for your skin. These also help in mitigating the dryness and sensitivity of the skin after menopause and restore moisture effectively.
5. It is always advisable to see a qualified dermatologist in your area for a skin exam after which they can recommend you the appropriate skin products and treatments that are suitable for your skin.