Menopausal Skin

What causes menopause?

Menopause – a season of hormonal shifts Some women going through menopause may feel out of balance because their levels of estrogen, progesterone and testosterone are dropping as they enter and move through this stage of life. Menopause happens as the ovaries make less oestrogen and progesterone, causing irregular periods and eventually stopping menstruation altogether. This hormone decrease is a natural part of ageing and means the end of reproductive years.

Estrogen Hormone Levels

Menopause & Skin

During menopause, changes in hormone levels, particularly oestrogen, can impact the skin because it has a lot of oestrogen receptors. This can affect both the outer layer (epidermis) and the deeper layer (dermis) of the skin. While progesterone receptors are also present, they have less influence on the menopausal skin during this time. The effects of low estrogen on the skin include Dry skin, Thinning of the skin, Loss of elasticity, breakouts,  lines and wrinkles,  more easily irritated skin, slower to heal/bruising, itchy skin (linked to flushing) and irregular pigmentation or uneven skin tone.

Dry/Itchy Skin

• Estrogen retains and restores moisture in the skin
• Estrogen helps to produce ceramides, which are important for retaining your skin’s moisture and preventing the entry of germs into your body. Your skin becomes dehydrated and may develop problems like dryness and irritation
• Estrogen keeps nerve endings healthy

Lines & Wrinkles

• 30% loss of skin collagen within the first 5 years of the menopause
• 1% loss of skin’s collagen in each following year
• 1% decline in skin thickness in each post-menopausal year

Sagging of the Skin

Research has shown that during menopause, women experience a reduction in bone density and strength, particularly in the jawline and chin, leading to facial changes and sagging.

Irregular Pigment/Uneven Skin Tone

Due to the hormonal changes during menopause, the production of melanin, the pigment that gives our skin its natural colour, may become uneven as our bodies adapt to different hormone levels. This can result in patches or dark spots on the face and body.

Breakouts

Estrogen levels are dropping at a different speed than progesterone and testosterone, which can cause breakouts. It is estimated that a quarter of women in their 40’s and 15% of women aged 50+ suffer from problematic skin.

Slower to Heal, Fragile/Bruising Skin

As estrogen and collagen drop the skin becomes weaker and thinner and loses elasticity. The connective tissue also weakens which can make bruising worse. Hormone changes can make the blood become too thin, leading to bruises easily.

More Easily Irritated Skin

Due to changes during menopause, your PH levels on your skin’s face and neck can fluctuate which causes the immune system in this area to respond differently than it did before. This may lead to inflammation which causes breakouts and also leads to dullness or flare up.

Compromised Skin Barrier

Conditions such as eczema/rosacea and psoriasis may flare due to hormonal changes during the perimenopause/menopause.