You probably know about the stereotypical menopause symptoms – hot flashes, mood swings and trouble sleeping. But did you know that menopause can affect your skin?
November is National Healthy Skin Month, and this article will discuss why your skin is affected by menopause, common menopause skin conditions and how you can care for them.
Why Does Menopause Affect Your Skin?
Menopause officially occurs one year after your last period. Menopause affects your skin because of rapidly decreasing estrogen levels. With decreasing estrogen levels, your skin becomes dry, thin and can start to sag. As your body responds to the hormonal changes, you can experience different skin conditions.
Common Menopause Skin Conditions
There are different ways that menopause affects your skin. Here are common skin conditions and how to take care of them.
Age spots and sun-damaged skin
During menopause, darker spots appear due to age or sun damage. If you’ve spent a lot of time out in the sun without sunscreen, this is when damaged skin will show. These spots are often found on your face, arms, neck, hands and chest.
You can manage age spots and sun-damaged skin by:
- Using sunscreen daily (SPF 30 or higher)
- Doing skin self-exams to track any changes
- Talk to a doctor about how to treat age spots
Bruising
When estrogen levels decrease, your skin becomes thinner and you can bruise more easily.
You can reduce thinning skin by:
- Use broad-spectrum sunscreen daily: apply SPF 30 or higher to areas of the body that aren’t covered by clothing, even in the winter.
- Talk to a dermatologist about treatment options: bruising can be treated with simple retinol creams or laser therapy options.
Dry skin
During menopause, your skin loses some of its ability to hold water so your skin can get very dry.
To combat dry skin, you can:
- Wash with a mild cleanser and avoid harsh soaps
- Apply lotion after bathing and whenever your skin feels dry
- Stay hydrated with water
Facial hair
Unfortunately, as estrogen levels plummet, hair shows up in unwanted places. Hair above the lip, on the chin and along your jawline are common.
To remove unwanted hair, you’ll want to talk to a dermatologist about your options. Laser hair removal may be your best option. If your skin is getting thinner, waxing becomes more difficult.
If you decide to try laser hair removal, you’ll want to ensure your provider is trained properly. For best results, consider a board-certified dermatologist with a lot of experience.
Hair loss
Some women find their hairline starts to recede or they start losing hair. It’s not uncommon for your hair to thin during menopause.
Treating hair loss may be different for everyone. You can try laser treatments or a hair serum like minoxidil. You’ll want to talk to a doctor to discuss what treatment options are best for you.
Jowls, slack skin, and wrinkles
During menopause, your skin loses collagen quickly. Collagen is a strong, abundant protein in your body and it keeps your skin firm and strong. You can lose 30% of collagen during your first year of menopause, causing jowls (sagging skin around the jaw and cheeks), loose skin and wrinkles. Your pores can become larger and pouches can form under your eyes.
What you can do:
- Sun protection: apply SPF 30 or higher daily
- Consider using retinol or peptides, which can increase collagen in your skin
Pimples and acne
Acne isn’t just a problem for teens. During menopause, you can experience pimples and other forms of acne, but treating it will be different. Many acne treatments are too harsh if you have thin skin.
What you can do:
- Use products with salicylic acid because it’s a mild cleanser
- Avoid scrubbing your skin
- Don’t pick or squeeze pimple or acne
Rashes
If you notice that your skin becomes more easily irritated or you’re more prone to getting rashes, that’s because the pH in your skin changes as you get older.
This means if you already have a skin condition such as eczema or rosacea, it can get worse.
If your skin is more sensitive, you can try:
- Use fragrance-free skin care products
- Using mild cleansers
- Talk to your doctor if you have a rash that doesn’t go away
Slow wound healing
When hormones change it can affect how your skin heals. Keep a close eye on any wounds you might have. If they don’t improve in a reasonable time, talk to your doctor about it.
You can promote wound healing by:
- Eating enough protein
- Drink plenty of fluids
- Make sure you’re getting essential vitamins in your diet that promote wound healing such as vitamins A, C and zinc.
When To See A Dermatologist
If you’re having trouble treating any of these menopausal skin conditions or you have questions about them, you can always talk to a dermatologist. Dermatologists are highly trained doctors who specialize in treating skin conditions. They will get to know you and your specific concerns to develop an individualized treatment plan for you.
Sources
Caring For Your Skin In Menopause
How To Care For Your Skin During Menopause
