What are the effects of menopause on the skin?

Menopause is a natural biological process that can cause significant changes in the body as estrogen levels decline. This results in a variety of symptoms that can impact the skin and skin health. But what are the effects of menopause on the skin? And what are the effective treatments to alleviate the symptoms?

So what are the effects of menopause on the skin?

Menopause can have a number of negative impacts on the skin and on skin health. These include:

• Reducing collagen and elastin levels
• Increased skin dryness
• Increased risk of breakouts
• Increase in skin sensitivity

Menopause can reduce collagen and elastin levels

One of the most noticeable effects of menopause on the skin is a decrease in skin elasticity, which can lead to sagging skin, wrinkles, and fine lines. This occurs because the estrogen hormone declines during menopause, and this hormone plays a vital role in the production of collagen and elastin, which are essential components of the structure of the skin. When the levels of estrogen decline, the production of collagen and elastin also decreases. This can result in skin that is thinner and less plump, resulting in sagging and the formation of deep wrinkles. This can also cause dryness and flakiness, as the skin becomes less able to retain moisture, and it also makes it more difficult for the skin to recover from skin conditions and problems.

Menopause can cause dry skin

As mentioned above, the thinning of the skin due to less collagen can make it more difficult for the skin to retain moisture and increase skin dryness. But at the same time, menopause also causes a decrease in oil production, which again makes the skin much drier. This can make the skin feel tight and dehydrated, and make the skin more prone to itching and irritation. In addition, this reduction in oil can also make existing skin conditions worse, like eczema and psoriasis, and lead to the formation of age spots and hyperpigmentation.

Menopause can increase the risk of breakouts

Hormonal fluctuations during the menopause can disrupt the balance of sebum production, leading to clogged pores and breakouts. This can be particularly frustrating for those who have previously had clear skin, as they suddenly find themselves dealing with acne-related issues.

Menopause can increase skin sensitivity

Another of the negative effects of menopause on the skin is an increase in skin sensitivity. This can include menopausal dermatitis which causes rashes, skin irritation and itching. In addition, the hormonal imbalances associated with menopause can exacerbate existing skin conditions like rosacea or eczema, making them more difficult to manage.

What are the effective treatment options?

There are a number of ways to treat the skin problems associated with the menopause including:

Topical treatments

Dermal fillers

Chemical peels

Topical treatments for menopause skin

Topical treatments can be highly effective for reducing the symptoms of menopause skin. This can include moisturisers to reduce skin dryness and topical treatments with UV protection to help prevent age spots and hyperpigmentation that is caused during menopause when the skin’s barrier is weakened.

Dermal fillers for menopause skin

Dermal fillers can restore lost volume to the skin that results from the reduction in collagen production. These are small injections of hyaluronic acid into very specific facial areas to increase skin volume and to reshape and restructure the facial tissue to restore a youthful appearance.

Chemical peels for menopause skin

Chemical peels can be highly effective for removing the outer layer of dead and dry skin cells, leaving the skin with a smooth texture. This helps to alleviate the skin dryness and itching that is associated with the menopause.

For more information or advice get in touch with Preston’s leading aesthetic practitioners here at The Skin and Wellbeing Clinic.