Skincare basics for a time of change
Menopause is inevitable for anyone who menstruates and something that every woman will experience at a point in their life.
Common symptoms to be aware of are headaches, hot flushes, brain fog, muscle and joint pain, night sweats, heart palpitations, urinary tract infections and skin becoming drier and itchy. A combination of hormonal shifts, the way we store fat and fatigue contribute to changing body shape and weight gain. As well as changes in the outline, hormonal fluctuation can be seen in the skin too, and noticeable changes in facial appearance like jowls and loss of bone and muscle density can be very upsetting for some people; denting confidence and impacting on their joie de vivre.Hormones have much to answer for!
Oestrogen deficiencies cause the amount of collagen - a protein naturally produced by our bodies for elasticity, strength and hydration - to drop by as much as 30% during the first 5 years of menopause, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Skin starts to lose its plump appearance becomes prone to wrinkles and lines.This doesn’t exactly paint a pretty picture for us! But there are things we can do to help ourselves through these challenges and the good news is there are pro-aging products and treatments that help to rejuvenate menopausal skin.
Here's some simple, effective advice on how you can minimise the impact on your skin:
1
Exposure to the sun is a well-known culprit to cause a decrease in natural collagen production. Always use a high SPF sunscreen like AlumierMD Sheer Hydration, even on cloudy days. SPF is an all-year-round essential, not just for summertime. Alumier's products are available directly from me or online via my unique access code.
2
Using a good quality hydrating moisturiser with ingredients like retinol, vitamin C and hyaluronic acid can be helpful in preserving skin collagen. Skinade is an award-winning collagen supplement drink which can be effective in topping up collagen levels.
3
Hydration is also important for menopausal skin. Oestrogen production helps the skin hold on to moisture and produce natural oils. The decline of this hormone means skin will become drier. Using hyaluronic acid will help draw moisture into the skin. For added hydration try layering serum, such as Matis Paris HyaluPerf-Serum, under moisturiser and use an exfoliant regularly to remove dead skin cells.
4
Some people will experience acne and rosacea as oestrogen levels fall. Rosacea is an inflammatory skin condition mainly affecting the face, causing flushing and redness. Acned skin is due to blocked pores thanks to increasing sebum production. There are very effective treatments available for problematic skin. LED Phototherapy is rejuvenating and has corrective benefits, helping with blemished, sensitive skin and is brilliant on acne.
Of course, you should always seek medical advice is you are struggling with any symptoms you think may be linked to menopause. There is professional support available so you can confidently take charge of your health and changing body.
Debbie's secret formula for taking back control
I prescribe regular Micro-needling and Radio frequency treatments for collagen stimulation to my peri-menopausal and menopausal clients.Micro-currents lift the face muscles, keeping them toned. Radio frequency uses safe electromagnetic waves to firm sagging skin and is very effective around the jowl area which starts to slacken during menopause. Oxygen therapy has a germicidal effect on the skin that is completely safe and sterile, designed to nourish the skin and promote collagen production for younger-looking skin, this is also beneficial to skin throughout the menopausal period.
I also recommend having regular skin consultations, to keep a professional eye on how your skin is changing and be prescribed the correct skincare regime. Having regular facials every 4-to-6 weeks with me means I will be able to check in with your skin each time for any changes and spot any issues like skin cancer and pre-cancerous skin growths, which become more common more during menopause.
I have personally developed a rejuvenating facial - called Reset, Recharge, Relax - which is perfect for anyone on their menopause journey that incorporates all the above recommended techniques. Treatment time is 1hr 15 and priced at £95 per session. Find out more here. Additinal Sources: Healthline. Balance by Dr Louise Newson.
Ask the Expert!
If you’d like a consultation to discuss your homecare skincare routine, or have any other skin concerns, please contact me.
Telephone and video appointments are available as well as face-to-face consultations. Your consultation will typically takes 30 minutes and is valuable for you to feel educated about your skin health and confident in your product choice.
