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Menopause - a time of change
We live longer and longer, so we want to stay healthy and look good for longer. Fifty is being called the new forty, and we are also familiarising ourselves with menopause and the changes associated with it. We are talking about them more and more often and louder, not only in the context of hormonal fluctuations but also of ways to make life more comfortable, to keep looking young and to enjoy maturity.
Taming the menopause
Until a few years ago, most women did not pronounce the 'm' word out loud. It was associated with a loss of femininity, a decline in quality of life, hot flashes and, quite simply, old age. Meanwhile, the average age of women is increasing, and, on average, we live about 30 more years after menopause. And that should be a beautiful time! How and in what shape we spend it depends primarily on ourselves. It's time to debunk menopause myths.
Under the power of hormones
- We tend to associate menopause with a hormonal storm. Still, it is not only the rapid drop in oestrogen levels (by up to 75%) that affects how we look and feel at this time - it is also essential to consider the lifestyle we have led up to this point and how we have looked and looked after our health.
- The drop in hormone levels causes several characteristic clinical symptoms and metabolic disturbances, resulting in mood swings, paroxysmal flushing and the notorious hot flushes, sleep problems and increased paroxysmal sweating, and changes in estrogen-dependent tissues, such as the skin. Menopause affects the functioning of the entire body - the digestive system and metabolism, bone structure, the circulatory and sexual systems, immunity and even brain function.
- It is good to know that the distribution and number of oestrogen receptors in women is highest precisely in the face, legs and genital area. We will focus on what happens to our skin during the menopausal period.
What happens to the skin?
- Several external and internal factors influence skin appearance- genetic baggage, diet and lifestyle, and environmental factors (UV, smog). Of most significant importance, however, are hormone levels - mainly oestrogen. For this reason, we notice a significant decrease in skin quality (loss of firmness, tone and density) during and after menopause. The sharp decline in oestrogen levels is associated with reduced quantity and quality of collagen and elastin fibres and atrophy of the sebaceous and sweat glands (the skin produces less sebum). In addition, the rate of cell metabolism decreases, and the fibroblasts also have significantly less hyaluronic acid and valuable lipids, which moisturise the skin from within.
Menopausal skin - symptoms
- Women in the menopausal period most often notice a decrease in the skin's firmness - it becomes flabby, more wrinkles and furrows appear, and the oval of the face loses its outline. Increased dryness, roughness, colour disorders and uneven skin texture are significant symptoms. On the one hand, the skin becomes increasingly thin and flabby; on the other, a slower cellular transformation process results in localised thickening of the epidermis and an earthy, unhealthy colour.
- In some women, a drop in oestrogen levels can cause increased seborrhoea, eczema, or exacerbate rosacea symptoms. Dilated capillaries become more visible, and the skin regenerates and heals much slower. It can be irritated and react allergically to previously used cosmetics. There is also an increase in oxidative stress, which destroys the skin and deeper structures.
Skin, muscles and bones
The appearance of the skin depends not only on what happens in its three layers but also on the condition of the muscles on which it rests and the bone frame. Let's find out what changes the menopause brings about in all these levels.
The skin becomes thinner and renews itself more slowly - the so-called time over time, i.e., the cell transition time from the basal layer to the stratum corneum increases from 28 to even 50 days. This results in distorted skin colour, thickening and poorer nutrition. As a result of lipid deficits, the hydrolipidic layer is weakened, which increases transepidermal water loss (TEWL), causing dry and flaky skin.
Skin: fibroblasts produce less and less collagen and elastin, and the fibres become less elastic and more fragile. This results in a decrease in skin firmness and elasticity. Vascular abnormalities also occur, with some vessels dilating and others narrowing excessively. The skin is less well supplied with blood and consequently less well nourished.
Subcutaneous tissue: On the face, the subcutaneous fat pad becomes thinner and, as a result of muscle weakness, additionally droops. Its deficits form most rapidly around the eyes, cheeks, temples and forehead. The lack of a fat pad disturbs the skin's firmness and the face's proportions. The movement of fat causes overhangs, e.g. in the jaw area.
Muscles: As a result of hormonal changes, the volume of the muscles decreases - they become longer, and at the same time, their tension increases, which causes contractions. The result? There are more visible wrinkles and furrows on the face. A decrease in the mass and tension of the circular muscle of the mouth results in a narrowing of the lips and the formation of radial wrinkles (so-called smoker's wrinkles).
Skincare during menopause
- Appropriately selected facial care during menopause will help to keep the skin in good condition and counteract the effects of the hormonal storm. It should have preparations with rich lipid compositions that supplement deficiencies of critical nutrients, inhibit transepidermal water leakage (TEWL), and make the skin more elastic and firm. Natural oils (e.g. rose oil), ceramides and omega fatty acids will work well in this role. Another mission of creams during menopause is to stimulate collagen and elastin production. Antioxidant protection, in the form of effective antioxidants, is also essential. Resveratrol from red grapes is one of the most potent ingredients of this type. Products for 50+ should also contain substances that reduce discolouration and wrinkles, such as niacinamide (vitamin B3).
- Let's remember the body, too! A nourishing cream or lotion with fatty acid esters, natural butter oils and ingredients improving the quality, resistance and moisturising of the skin (e.g. beta-glucan from oats) and anti-inflammatory substances accelerating healing and regeneration (e.g. colloidal silver) is a must-have for daily care.
- It is worth betting on regularity and consistency in skin care - choosing cosmetics full of biologically active ingredients developed by specialists with mature skin in mind. Additional support in the form of visits to a good cosmetologist, who will propose treatments tailored to the current skin needs, will support daily care and allow you to enjoy firm, healthy skin for longer.
Prevention of the menopause
- Prevention is the basis of preparing for the menopause. However, to implement it, we need to be aware of the changes in our bodies. What else is worth paying attention to in preventing menopausal changes?
- >During the menopause, the body's immunity decreases, so it is worth strengthening it through exercise, supplementation and diet,
- > Hormonal changes affect the skeletal system, so to avoid osteoporosis, adequate levels of calcium and vitamin D should be ensured,
- >Muscle work is not only about fitness and resilience; it also improves metabolism and skin firmness - healthy movement is essential,
- >Decreased oestrogen levels affect not only the skin but also the hair, which may fall out. It is worth consulting a trichologist in advance,
- >The skin needs lipids - in diet and care, it is also worthwhile to regularly enjoy, e.g. facial massages, which improve muscle tone and oxygenate and nourish the skin.
- >It is worth keeping your body properly hydrated because menopause also means dryness - in the eyes, on the skin and in the vagina.
The menopause is not so bad...
We cannot escape menopause, but we can prepare well for it and thus reduce its adverse effects on the appearance and skin condition and the health of the whole organism. Lifestyle modifications - a healthier diet, more exercise, regular checkups and reduced unhealthy behaviours - will bring excellent results. In turn, targeted skin care will allow us to enjoy firm and healthy skin and, as part of self-care, improve our mood and provide that youthful, energetic gleam in the eye that no hormonal storm can extinguish!