Menopause does not occur suddenly. The official definition of it is missing a period for a full year. While the exact timing varies, it usually happens around age 51.
Numerous outcomes result from this hormonal shift, including:
- Weariness
- Vaginal dryness or discomfort, and
- Hot flushes
Skin changes are quite typical during menopause. Your skin may feel thin and dry before and throughout this period, or you may start to detect more wrinkles. Because of hormonal changes during menopause, some women may develop acne.
What Are Typical Skin Issues During Menopause?
Most people notice a change in their skin due to the rapid decline in estrogen and progesterone levels that occurs with menopause. The skin may lose moisture or elasticity.
Additionally, vasomotor symptoms/VMS (more commonly known as hot flashes) and fluctuating hormone levels can also lead to acne. Collagen decreases by 30% in the first five years of menopause, then by about 2% every year for the following 20 years, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.
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Why Does Skin Alter When a Woman Enters Menopause?
Although it can be upsetting, menopausal skin changes are quite common.
It is collagen that gives skin its structure and plumpness. Rapid collagen loss can result in fine lines, wrinkles, and cheek drooping. Acne and dry skin are both prevalent.
Dehydrated skin is prevalent after menopause due to a decline in estrogen, a hormone that aids in the skin’s production of oil and water retention.
As androgen levels rise and sebum production increases, resulting in clogged pores, some people will also have acne.
Can Menopause Skin Changes Be Avoided?
For someone with a uterus, menopause is unavoidable and healthy, but that doesn’t mean they’ll enjoy the side effects, which include skin shifts.
You may not be able to stop menopause from harming your skin, but you may take precautions at home to maintain your skin’s healthiest appearance.
Sun exposure is one of the leading causes of skin aging, so it’s crucial to apply SPF every day, even when it’s cloudy. Use a salicylic acid-based cleanser to combat hormonal acne.
Additionally, hydration is crucial for menopausal skin. Your face and body are likely to feel drier than normal. Using a moisturizer containing hyaluronic acid may help the skin retain moisture. Hyaluronic acid moisturizers work best when applied to damp skin so the component can bind with water.
Ceramide-containing moisturizers can stop moisture from evaporating, and using face oil on top of a moisturizer boosts hydration.
In addition to skincare products, eating hydrating foods, drinking lots of water, and attempting to get enough sleep are usually beneficial.
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What Are the Remedies for Menopausal Skin Changes?
Your doctor could recommend hormone replacement treatment (HRT) if the menopausal skin changes are particularly bothersome for you and are in conjunction with other symptoms, such as vaginal dryness.
In other instances, if HRT doesn’t seem the best option, they could suggest a herbal HRT substitute like valerian root or dietary adjustments that might help balance hormones.
BOTOX injections might also lessen the visibility of wrinkles.
Menopause can cause an increase in facial hair. Therefore laser hair removal might be a viable solution.
What Can You Do at Home to Treat Menopausal Skin Changes?
New products and formulae are constantly being developed in skincare. A quality moisturizer is the simplest at-home treatment for menopausal skin. Pro-aging substances should also be used, including retinol, vitamin C, glycolic and lactic acids, and SPF.
Limit your intake of alcohol, caffeine, and processed and greasy foods, and stay hydrated.
How Long Does Menopausal Acne Last?
Menopausal acne can be annoying, especially if you haven’t broken out in years. However, after hormone levels balance out, acne outbreaks typically disappear.
In the interim, try utilizing products containing acne-fighting chemicals like retinol and salicylic acid.
Conclusion
All women who still have periods will eventually experience menopause. In addition to hot flashes, exhaustion, weight gain, and occasionally irritability and night sweats, skin changes such as increased hormonal acne, dryness, and thinning or drooping of the skin are also typical during this period. menopause skin care