To many women, the word menopause is one of the most dreaded in the English language. But why, exactly? Well, hot flashes for one. Even worse, though, is what menopause does to your skin once you stop producing estrogen. So what can you do for skin care at menopause? Read on.
How is my skin changing?
Going through menopause can feel reminiscent of going through puberty – your body is changing and suddenly your skin is acting out. When your body lowers its production of estrogen, your skin typically reacts in three ways: dryness, wrinkles, and acne. These are caused by the production of collagen and hormones lessening. And since collagen is what keeps your skin looking tight and youthful, when it disappears signs of age start appearing.
Dryness – The change in hormones causes your skin to not only produce less collagen, but also less oil than it did previously. This can mean that sticking to your old skincare routine can now give you dry skin. Try switching to something that’s cleansing and Also avoid any harsh astringents or drying agents that will only make your condition worse. Investing in a good moisturizer can be very beneficial for dryness and decreasing the appearance of wrinkles.
Wrinkles and Sagging– Wrinkles and sagging can be attributed to one main culprit: sun damage. The true effects of how the sun has damaged your skin over the years typically begin to show up when the normal amount of collagen drops. Collagen is what keeps the skin elastic and taut to the face or body.To start reducing wrinkles in your face, be sure to always wear sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 on any skin exposed to the sun. However, if you already have wrinkles you want to make disappear, use a product with retinol in it to help build collagen back up and make wrinkles appear less drastically on the face. Retinol also works to make skin appear less saggy because it helps retain the elasticity that younger skin has plenty of.
You may also want to consider laser treatments. Since most laser treatments stimulate collagen production, they can significantly reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles on your face and other areas of your body.
Acne – You may be wondering why on earth you have acne as a mature woman. Didn’t you already pay your dues as a teenager? Well, it turns out that perimenopausal women can be prone to a type of acne that is cystic in nature. This means it’s a deeper, more under-the-skin kind of acne that for women at this age tends to gather around the jawline and chin area.Avoid using acne medications created for teenagers because they will be too harsh on your skin now. Make an appointment with your dermatologist to get the proper type of medication that will work with your skin instead of against it. These can range from topical creams to oral antibiotics, which are best controlled by a trained dermatologist.
Understanding how menopause works and knowing what causes your skin to change is the first step to fixing whatever the problem may be. Now is the time in your life to use the wisdom gained over the years and put your best face forward.
Dermatology Associates offers a full spectrum of leading-edge medical, surgical, and cosmetic dermatology services from offices in Savannah and Vidalia.
