Your Skin and the Menopause

After my medical training, when I became absorbed in skincare and cosmetic products, I had just come out of my acne stage. I was so pleased with that even, smooth skin! A few years later I become pregnant and the enjoyment was over. The changing hormone levels didn’t help my skin at all and I had problems with Rosacea and pigmentation spots. So, I clearly didn’t belong to the group of women whose skin glows during pregnancy. My youngest son is now seven, my oldest will be going to the Secondary school this year and when I look in the mirror I see once again, a fine calm skin. I hope that I am able to enjoy it before the menopause throws a spanner in the works. Because the menopause will definitely leave its mark on your skin…

Changes
Both before, as well as during, and after the menopause all sorts happens to the skin. It is because of the hormone oestrogen, which decreases in production when you go into the menopause. And, that oestrogen has a direct effect on your skin.

Oestrogen and collagen
Your skin gets its durability from collagen and elastin. Just compare it to a matrass, a new matrass is strong and springy due to the filling, an old matrass becomes saggy with the appearance of bumps and dips. Oestrogen (and also, to a small extent, progesterone) takes care of the regular plumping of the feathers in the matrass and, once they are past their best, sees that they are replaced.
Your skin remains strong and elastic. The decrease in oestrogen during the menopause causes the collagen in your skin to drop by 2.1% yearly, at the same time the volume of your skin also decreases by 1.1%. The elasticity of the skin during the menopause, drops by around 0.55% each year. Not strange then that women around the age of fifty often complain about their wrinkles, saggy skin, hollow cheeks and translucent skin.

Oestrogen and hydration
Water binding substances, such as Hyaluronic Acid, are naturally present in the skin. Oestrogen is responsible for the presence of these substances in your skin. When the production of oestrogen falls, the presence of these substances also dips, resulting in the skin not being able to retain moisture so effectively. The skin barrier and sebum production, which oestrogen takes care of, will also diminish. Resulting in dry skin.

Hair growth and spots?
Uninvited hair growth and spots may also appear during and after the menopause. This is indirectly connected with oestrogen as well. As the production of oestrogen in your body falls it contains, in relative terms, more of the male hormone testosterone. Testosterone has free rein and may then be responsible for facial hair, enlarged pores and spots.

Hormone therapy
Now the treatment would seem simple: an oestrogen cocktail. But there are snags to this. Hormone therapy can increase the risk of ovarian cancer and breast cancer. It also increases the risk of thrombosis. Researchers are busy looking into the effects of specific oestrogens which have a positive effect on the skin without the adverse side effects. Until that time I am staying well away from hormone therapy. I focus on lots of holidays, healthy eating and quality time with my family and friends. Studies have found that healthy and contented women, who take care of their body, go into the menopause later than depressive women, who have a tendency to neglect themselves.

Regards Jetske

Research Physician Cosmetic Dermatology