Unveiling the Mystery: Menopause and Your Skin Changes

Menopause can bring quite a few changes in the female body, both internal and external. As the hormone levels start fluctuating and gradually reduce, it can cause certain issues. Most of them are caused by the reduced amount of the predominant female hormone in the body, the estrogen.

As you start nearing peri-menopause and eventually hit menopause, the estrogen level goes down remarkably. And one of the external manifestations is the changes that your skin starts going through. Your skin also starts losing collagen as you advance in years, and the combined effects can leave your skin feeling dry.

For many, these changes in the skin can be a marker of advanced years, and along with the knowledge that the childbearing years are coming to an end, they can become a source of anxiety or depression. Your skin loses the glow that you had in your twenties and thirties, and this can make you feel less beautiful.

However, with almost a million women in the US alone hitting menopause each year, it is important to understand that you are going through a phase of transition. There are certain things you can do to make this easier. Let us see how menopause affects the skin and what you can do about it.

6 Skin Issues You May Face During Menopause

Menopause affects different women in various ways across the globe.

The kind of skin you have depends on your ethnicity, climate, lifestyle, family history, and past medical conditions. Yet, irrespective of these factors, there are some skin issues that are usually seen during menopause.

1. Acne

Acne

One of the most common signs of menopause is acne. You may be used to acne in your teens because that is when the hormones regulate themselves as you hit puberty. You may experience acne again during menopause because the hormones start fluctuating again.

You can get acne on your face, especially in the cheeks and chin area. You may also notice pimples on your neck and on your body, like chest and shoulders. At times, the pimples may be red and painful. If they hurt too much or you see an immense breakout, you must consult your doctor.

2. Dry Skin

Another issue that you may notice with your skin during menopause is dryness. Your skin will feel rough to the touch, and you may notice that it has lost its glow. This could also be the time when you first notice the onset of fine lines and wrinkles.

In addition, you can also see spots and marks appearing on your skin, especially around the forehead and side of your face. Any mole you may have had can also grow in size. The dryness can also be noticed in other parts of your body, like the back, arms, and legs.

3. Facial Hair

Because of the fluctuating hormone levels in the body, you could notice increased facial hair on your face. Other areas of your body may also grow hair. You may notice more hair on your upper lip, chin, forehead, and underarms.

You may also grow hair on your back, and this could keep coming back rapidly, no matter how much you try to tweeze. Additionally, you may also experience hair fall and thinning of hair from your scalp. It is basically the opposite of what you would usually want!

4. Itchiness

Dry skin can lead to itchiness and skin irritation. You may feel the constant need to scratch and itch your skin. However, you need to be very gentle at this point because you may end up scratching too much.

Your skin can become very sensitive during menopause, so you have to be really gentle. Avoid using harsh soaps and scrubs at this point, as this can aggravate your dryness and itchiness even more. You should also avoid rubbing your skin too much with harsh towels.

5. Red Patches

Hot flashes are a common symptom of menopause. When this happens, you may notice your skin turning red. You can notice red patches on your cheeks, neck, and forehead. At times, the redness may disappear as the hot flashes subside, but at other times, they may stay for quite some time.

The problem can become worse if you go out in the sun without adequate sun protection. You must see a doctor immediately if you notice your skin swelling around those red patches, and that can be a severe hormonal issue.

6. Loss of Subcutaneous Fat

As you start advancing in years, you tend to lose collagen and also your subcutaneous fat. Both these factors are responsible for keeping your skin elastic and firm. You may notice your face sagging and your skin losing its firmness.

This can increase the appearance of fine lines. Although this will happen as you gradually age, if you feel your skin looking too tired and dehydrated, you must focus on resting enough and eating healthy.

Caring for Your Skin during Menopause

Caring for Your Skin during Menopause

 

Certain intrinsic changes will happen in your body as you cross the age of fifty. However, there are ways to make things easier for you. Try to be more mindful of the following habits to take care of your skin in a better way during menopause. Here are some skin care tips during menopause.

Moisturize Well

Moisturizing is the key to glowing skin at any age, but you need it more than ever when you are going through menopause. You can also use a moisturizer with SPF to give you sun protection. Use a moisturizer suited for your skin type, and try to use one with organic ingredients. Moisturize at least twice a day.

You can combat many of the issues related to skin aging by adequate moisturizing. In addition, you can also go for relaxing spas that offer massages with essential oils and other fruit facials. This improves your skin texture and also helps you relax, which is much needed at this time.

Stay Hydrated

Stay Hydrated

It is important to stay hydrated both internally and externally during this time. Take care to moisturize your skin, but also drink lots of water and fruit juices. Include a lot of leafy vegetables and fruits in your diet.

These are rich in vitamins A, C, and E and also in beta-carotene. Staying hydrated and well-nourished can help you combat skin dryness and quite a few other skin issues at this stage.

Balance Your Hormones

While you may need hormone therapy in case your hormones fluctuate immensely, that is something you must absolutely do under medical supervision.

However, in general, you can eat hormone-balancing food in your diet, and that will have an effect on how your skin looks. Hence, you can include soya and fennel seeds in your diet, which are known to regulate estrogen in your body. That can improve your skin texture.

Exercise

Keeping your body fit and healthy is a must during menopause. Staying active can help you build muscle and fight off stiffness. However, it may have skin benefits as well. When you sweat during exercise, it helps in flushing out toxins from your body. Your pores open, and they are naturally cleansed. This makes your skin glow and appear smoother.

Moreover, exercise boosts the release of happy hormones in the body, like endorphins, and this can help you regulate your mood and improve your overall mental health, which is crucial at this stage of your life.

Eat Good Fat and Protein

Eat Good Fat and Protein

Eating good fat and protein can help you take care of your skin in a better way. Add protein to your diet, but avoid red meat. Instead, include chicken soups and fish in your diet that boost protein and Omega-3 fats.

This helps with collagen production and also builds healthy subcutaneous fat. You can also add nuts like almonds and cashews and emulsified butter in small amounts. This will impart the much-needed glow to your face that you may have started losing when you cross the age of 45.

Better Lifestyle

Lastly, you must make sure you make lifestyle changes to improve your skin. Make sure you get at least 8 hours of sleep. Avoid alcohol and quit smoking. Always use sun protection when you go out.

Try to reduce your screen time, as that can strain your eyes and your skin. Spend more time in nature instead. Your skin will get a boost from the oxygen and from the exercise. You can also incorporate yoga as it will contribute to your overall health.

Final Thoughts

Apart from the above-mentioned issues, if you notice any severe skin infections or problems during menopause, you must consult a doctor. This could be due to extreme changes in hormonal levels, and you may need hormone therapy. Some such issues are severe eczema or psoriasis.

You should also take care of your general health for your overall mental and physical well-being at this point.