{"id":12951,"date":"2020-01-30T08:07:54","date_gmt":"2020-01-30T16:07:54","guid":{"rendered":"https://www.realself.com\/news\/?p=12951"},"modified":"2023-10-05T11:19:20","modified_gmt":"2023-10-05T18:19:20","slug":"skin-care-during-menopause","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https://www.realself.com\/news\/skin-care-during-menopause","title":{"rendered":"6 Changes That Happen to Your Skin During Menopause\u2014and How to Adjust Your Skin-Care Routine"},"content":{"rendered":"

Menopause has a long list of infamous side effects, from hot flashes to vaginal dryness<\/a> to hair that appears in totally new places. However, what we don’t often hear about are the changes skin goes through during that period (the average menopausal woman is 51 years old, according to the Mayo Clinic<\/a>). “From the onset of menopause, estrogen levels in a woman’s body drop. Estrogen hormone plays a huge role in the signs of aging,” says Dr. Manish Shah<\/a>, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Denver. In addition to the sweating and the unexpected chin hairs, that loss of estrogen means that the skin will go through a major transformation.<\/p>

We asked the experts what to expect when it comes to menopausal skin—and which products and treatments will help combat any unwanted changes.<\/p>

Collagen loss<\/strong><\/h2>

“There’s a 30% drop<\/a> in collagen during the first five years of menopause,” says Dr. Hadley King<\/a>, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. Collagen and elastin are what plump your skin and give it its youthful bounce, so as production levels dip, you may start to notice sagging or loose skin in areas that previously felt taut (or, as Dr. Shah describes it, “arms that keep waving after your hand has stopped”). <\/p>

Try:<\/strong> Dr. King directs many of her menopausal patients to Empelle<\/a>, a skin-care line created specifically for this transition period. Both the Empelle Serum ($175) and Empelle Night Cream ($195) contain methyl estradiolpropanoate, which Dr. King describes as “a nonhormonal way to activate the estrogen receptor.” It stimulates the production of estrogen, to reverse menopausal skin issues like sagging and fine lines. <\/p>

Related: Skin-Care Tips From 7 Influencers Over 50<\/a><\/em><\/p>

Fine lines and wrinkles<\/strong><\/h2>

Due to the collagen dip, you’ll notice an increase in fine lines and wrinkles<\/a> and a decrease in the skin’s plumpness. “As estrogen levels decrease, there is also less connective tissue [in the skin], which leads to reduced hydration and compromised barrier function. This causes the skin to become thin, atrophic, dry, dull, and wrinkled,” explains Dr. King. <\/p>

Try:<\/strong> Dermal fillers such as Radiesse<\/a>, Juvéderm<\/a>, and Restylane<\/a> will temporarily replace lost volume in the lips, cheeks, or other sunken areas. Dr. King points out that they also stimulate collagen production<\/a>, so some of that new plumpness will be due to your skin’s natural reaction to the filler. While fillers only last about 6 to 12 months, results are instant and there is little to no downtime. Bruising and swelling are the most common side effects, but they typically resolve after about a week. <\/p>

Interested in injectable fillers?<\/small><\/div>Find Doctors Near You<\/a><\/div>

Devices such as Ultherapy<\/a> and Thermage<\/a> use ultrasound and radiofrequency waves, respectively, to heat up underlying tissue—which tightens skin laxity<\/a> and jump-starts collagen production. Ultherapy is FDA-approved to treat the neck, chin, chest, and brow, while Thermage is FDA-approved for skin-tightening on the face and body (most commonly on the stomach, arms, thighs, knees, and butt). Both treatments are safe for all skin types and tones but typically require more than one session to see significant results. <\/p>

\n