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POSTED: 12 Jul 2023

Menopause Skin Changes & How to Treat Them

is a natural physiological change that usually occurs between the ages of 45 to 55. It occurs due to a change in hormone levels and signals an end to a woman’s menstrual cycles. This has a number of effects on a woman’s health, including skin changes. The term "menopause skin" is a collective name for the various skin changes that occur due to these hormonal shifts. In this article we are going to explore how menopause skin changes lead to problems like itching, dryness and acne, and how you can treat them.

What Happens to Your Hormones During Menopause?

Menopause occurs when a woman’s ovaries stop producing eggs. As a result, the levels of the hormones oestrogen and progesterone decline. These two hormones play a number of important roles in the body. There is also a change in FSH and LH, which are hormones that the gland produces. They stimulate the ovaries to produce eggs and release hormones. During menopause, FSH and LH levels increase as the ovaries become less responsive to them. This contributes to the typical symptoms and risks that some people may experience.

Oestrogen is the primary female sex hormone. It is responsible for a number of bodily functions, including regulating the menstrual cycle, maintaining bone health and protecting the heart. Progesterone is a hormone that the ovaries produce. It works with oestrogen to regulate the menstrual cycle and prepare the uterus for pregnancy. That’s why at menopause, may become irregular or stop altogether. The decline in oestrogen and progesterone levels during menopause can cause well-known menopause symptoms like hot flushes, night sweats, sleep problems, vaginal dryness and mood swings. It can also increase the risk of osteoporosis, which puts you at risk of fractures and heart disease.

These symptoms can vary from woman to woman. As such, menopause effects may be more or less severe depending on the individual. This is important to consider when looking for the best .

How Does Menopause Affect Your Skin?

Oestrogen is a key player in skin health and promotes the production of collagen and elastin. These two proteins are responsible for making your skin plump, firm and elastic. Oestrogen also regulates the skin’s moisture balance and barrier function. Progesterone, on the other hand, controls oil production, promotes new skin cell growth and blood vessel formation. It also has wound healing and anti-inflammatory properties. The reduction in these hormones gives rise to a of skin problems, including itching, dryness, , and discolouration. These are together known as "menopause skin".

Skin Itching, Dryness and Sensitivity

As oestrogen and progesterone levels go down, so do collagen, elastin and natural oils. As such, your skin may become dry, flaky and itchy. The decline in progesterone, which has anti-inflammatory effects, can make this worse. The reduced oestrogen levels also weaken the skin’s barrier. This leads to increased skin sensitivity, inflammation, redness and .

Accelerated Skin Ageing

The reduced collagen and elastin production can speed up and worsen the appearance of as well as . Collagen gives the skin its strength and plumpness. When collagen levels decline, the skin becomes thinner and more prone to wrinkles. Elastin and collagen together maintain the skin’s elasticity. When these are reduced, the skin is less able to bounce back after being stretched, which can give the appearance of sagging.

Acne Breakouts

The hormonal imbalance during menopause can trigger sebum over-production, which leads to pores and . Oestrogen and progesterone normally help to regulate the oil glands under the skin. When the levels of these drop, the body may produce more androgens in their place. Androgens are a type of male hormone that is normally present in women in smaller amounts. Excess stimulate the oil glands in the skin, which leads to an increase in oil production. The increased oil or sebum can clog pores, which then become infected or inflamed and result in .

Additionally, other menopausal symptoms like , poor sleep and dietary changes can also lead to acne. Stress increases cortisol, which is another hormone that can cause the skin to produce more oil. Poor sleep and dietary changes can also cause changes in the skin’s physiology and exacerbate acne.

Facial Redness & Flushing

Hot flushes are a common menopause symptom. They are sudden and transient periods of intense warmth and flushing that spread over the body, particularly concentrated in the face, neck and chest. When hot flushes occur, they cause the blood vessels in the skin to dilate (vasodilation). This is your body’s attempt to cool down and results in temporary skin redness and flushing.

Frequent hot flushes can lead to persistent redness and broken capillaries. This redness looks to that seen in rosacea. Furthermore, when capillaries break they give rise to a network of tiny, red, web-like lines under the skin’s surface. These are called telangiectasia or ???spider veins’ and can become a permanent feature on the skin.

Rosacea

is a chronic skin condition that causes redness and visible blood in the face. It may also give rise to small, red, pus-filled bumps that are better known as acne rosacea. The exact cause of rosacea is unknown, but it is to be due to a combination of hereditary and environmental factors. The connection between menopause and rosacea is not yet fully understood. Menopause is thought to rosacea, though it is not thought to cause it.

During menopause, the levels of the hormones oestrogen and progesterone decrease significantly. This decline in hormones can lead to various physical changes, including hot flushes. This sudden increase in body temperature can cause of the blood vessels in the face, which can trigger a rosacea flare-up.

Moreover, decreased levels of can make the skin thinner and more sensitive, potentially exacerbating the symptoms of rosacea. Dry and thin skin can get irritated easily, and such irritation can rosacea symptoms.

It’s also worth noting that stress is a well-known trigger for both hot flushes and . The changes and symptoms that occur during menopause can cause significant stress and anxiety, which could possibly lead to more frequent or severe rosacea flare-ups.

Melasma

is a condition that causes dark coloured patches on the skin. It is usually found on the face. Although it can affect anyone, melasma is more common in women. It is particularly likely to occur during times of hormonal shifts such as pregnancy or menopause.

Oestrogen and progesterone have been linked to melanin production. Melanin is the pigment responsible for the colour of our skin, hair and eyes. It is produced by melanocytes, the pigment-producing cells in the skin, which are affected by oestrogen and progesterone. When these hormones decrease, as they do during menopause, the melanocytes may over-react and produce excess melanin in certain areas. This results in the dark patches characteristic of melasma. Furthermore, melasma is also often exacerbated by sun exposure, because UV light from the sun can also stimulate melanocytes. During menopause, as the skin thins and loses some of its natural sun protection, it can become more susceptible to the effects of UV light, which can further exacerbate melasma.

Treatments for Menopause Skin Changes

The good news is that menopause skin responds well to a layered approach. Most women see the best results by combining a targeted skincare routine with treatments where they want extra help, medical options such as support, and the everyday habits that keep skin resilient. The sections below walk through each of these in turn.

Menopause Skincare

The most effective way to treat menopause skin changes is with a consistent and personalised skincare routine. Your menopause skincare routine should firstly address the accelerated skin ageing that occurs with menopause. It should also be designed to target specific menopause skin problems like itching, acne, redness, and melasma if you have them. The of a good routine will contain:

You will also need to consider active products to address skin concerns. treat wrinkles, build up collagen and elastin, and fade hyperpigmentation. They will also treat acne, smooth your skin and give a brighter complexion. and can also help improve skin texture and radiance. and can also help with rosacea and facial redness.

Professional Skin Treatments

If you wish to augment your menopause skincare routine, professional skin treatments can potentially help. can help with skin ageing, acne and melasma. Laser therapy can help with wrinkles, texture and telangiectasia. , and can help improve collagen and elastin to the appearance of crepey and sagging skin. Injectables like and can improve the appearance of lines, browse around here - wrinkles and loss of face volume.

Medicines for Menopause Skin

can combat moderate menopause skin changes. These creams deliver oestrogen directly to the skin. If you use them regularly, they can improve skin and increase moisture levels.

Hormone Therapy (HRT) or can help with severe skin changes due to menopause. HRT replaces oestrogen and sometimes progesterone throughout the body. This can help manage a wide range of menopause symptoms such as hot flushes, night sweats, mood changes and skin changes. By restoring hormone levels, HRT can help improve skin thickness, elasticity and hydration. It may also help with menopause-associated redness, rosacea exacerbation and .

How Does Your Lifestyle Affect Menopause Skin?

Whatever treatments you choose, your everyday habits play a pivotal role in managing menopause skin. A healthy diet, regular exercise, good sleep and a few sensible swaps all support your skin from the inside:

You can manage menopause skin changes successfully with a little patience and consistency. It’s important to understand the hormonal and physiological changes your body is going through and how these are affecting your skin. This will allow you to take a personalised approach to treating menopause skin. An anti-ageing skincare routine targeted menopause changes is key to improving the look and feel of your skin. You should also incorporate lifestyle habits, since these can go a long way to manage menopause skin changes and your overall well-being. Remember that each woman’s menopause journey is unique. The best treatment for you will depend on your specific symptoms, medical history and lifestyle, so consult with a professional for advice and options tailored to you. This is especially important if you are considering medical options.

At City Skin Clinic, we are passionate about personalised skincare. Through our , our doctors offer prescription-strength treatments for and other concerns like , and . To begin, book a or fill in our . The journey towards great skin and hair starts here.

This article is intended for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always consult a qualified medical provider for any medical or questions you might have.

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