Menopause causes many changes in the skin, as the rapid changes in hormones that characterize the female sex cause a decrease in the production of collagen, sebum, and elastin. The consequence is the loss of subcutaneous fat and the reduction of skin elasticity.
These changes pave the way for the development of problems such as dry skin, signs of age, wrinkles, or even acne. But although they are inevitable, women can take many measures to protect themselves from their consequences or even limit them.
Menopause: How to deal with its effects on the skin
Here are some tips that can help women take proper care of their skin during menopause.
Clean it regularly
Cleansing is important for the skin because it adds moisture. But the key is to use a cleanser suitable for dry skin.
Moisturize it daily
The decline in estrogen during menopause leads to dry skin and itching. These symptoms are particularly intense when the environmental humidity is reduced. To avoid dry skin, lubricate your skin after bathing with a rich water cream (ideally, it should contain hyaluronic acid or glycerin).
Your face also needs hydration (don’t forget your neck and chin line). If you experience pruritus (itching) due to dry skin, apply cold packs and moisturizing creams to your skin.
Take care of your hands
The skin on the edges loses moisture, collagen, and fat during menopause. All these can cause wrinkles and make the veins more visible. To reduce the appearance of wrinkles, moisturize your hands several times a day. Also, protect them from the sun and wear gloves when doing housework or gardening.
Reduce wrinkles
Wrinkles are more pronounced on dry skin, so be sure to moisturize your entire face daily, from the forehead to the lower neck. Opt for products specially designed to combat fine lines and sagging skin.
Take care of acne properly
The hormonal fluctuations of perimenopause can cause acne in some women. Cleanse your skin with a mild, moisturizing cleanser, avoiding scrubbing. You should also not pick at your pimples. If you don’t see improvement with these simple measures or if you have a lot of pimples, consult your dermatologist.
Treat age spots
Excessive exposure to the sun in the years of youth begins to be strongly imprinted on the skin after menopause. This results in spots or even entire areas on the face, hands, neck, arms, or chest that are darker in color than the rest of the skin. To prevent them from getting worse, you must first protect your skin from the sun.
Winter or summer, don’t go outside without a sunscreen with a protection factor (SPF) of at least 30. A visit to the dermatologist is also necessary every year to check your skin. If the appearance of skin discolorations bothers you, ask your dermatologist to recommend a cream or lotion that can “fade” them to some degree (depending on how dark they are).
Eat lots of fruits and salads
As estrogen decreases, so does the collagen that makes the skin young and firm. Eating foods rich in antioxidants may be able to strengthen your skin. Prefer brightly colored fruits and vegetables (the brighter they are, the more antioxidants they contain). Also, try to eat as many colorful fruit and vegetable salads as possible every day.
Control your stress
Stress can exacerbate skin dryness and sensitivity, making it look tired. It can also trigger problems like psoriasis. Practice relaxation techniques daily to keep your stress under control.
Exercise regularly
Frequent exercise tones muscles, relieves stress, and stimulates blood circulation, which declines with age. Increased blood flow to the skin makes it look brighter and healthier.
Sleep well
Adequate sleep is extremely important for a rested complexion and skin. If you lack sleep, you may experience dark circles under the eyes and deeper wrinkles.
So, now that you know how menopause affects the skin, you can follow the tips above to protect it!