Hormones play a significant role in our skin's health, and as women approach perimenopause and menopause, they often experience noticeable shifts in their skin's appearance and texture starting at around the age of 40. From increased dryness and fine lines to reduced elasticity, poor healing, and even acne, the transition into menopause can feel like a rollercoaster for your skin. One of the most influential factors behind these changes is the fluctuation in hormones—particularly estrogen.
Let's explore how estrogen impacts skin health and provide strategies to maintain a vibrant, youthful complexion during this life transition and for any stage of life.
Estrogen and Its Role in Skin Health
Estrogen, especially estradiol, is one of the key hormones responsible for maintaining the skin’s health, hydration, and structure. It helps keep the skin plump by supporting collagen and elastin production—two proteins that give skin its firmness, structure, and elasticity. When estrogen levels start to decline during perimenopause and menopause, many women experience a variety of skin changes that can leave them feeling less confident. These changes can include:
Decreased Collagen: Estrogen helps regulate collagen production. As estrogen levels drop, collagen production decreases, leading to the loss of skin strength, sagging, wrinkles, and loss of firmness. Studies show women can experience up to a 30% decline in collagen in the first five years after menopause, with a gradual decline of about 2% per year after that.
Skin Thinning: Estrogen also helps maintain the thickness of the skin, particularly in the dermis (the layer below the outer layer). As estrogen decreases, the skin becomes thinner, making it more vulnerable to damage and slowing down the healing process.
Dryness and Dehydration: Estrogen supports the skin's ability to retain moisture by regulating natural oils. When estrogen levels drop, many women notice their skin becomes drier, with an increased tendency to feel flaky, rough, or irritated.
Loss of Elasticity: Collagen and elastin are responsible for skin's ability to bounce back and maintain its shape. As estrogen declines, so does the production of these essential proteins, leading to sagging, wrinkles, and a general loss of facial support.
Slower Wound Healing: Estrogen plays a role in skin regeneration and repair. With lower levels of estrogen, wound healing may slow down, and minor cuts, bruises, or skin damage may take longer to heal.
Dullness and Poor Circulation: Estrogen helps support blood flow to the skin, which is crucial for nourishing the dermis. Without enough estrogen, the skin can lose its healthy glow, appearing dull or lackluster.
Other Key Hormones Impacting Skin During Menopause
In addition to Estrogen, several hormones undergo changes during menopause, and they all play a role in skin health.
LH and FSH (Luteinizing Hormone and Follicle-Stimulating Hormone): As ovarian function declines, levels of LH and FSH rise, leading to further hormonal imbalances that can impact the skin’s moisture, texture, and overall appearance.
Progesterone: This hormone fluctuates during menopause and plays a role in regulating oil production in the skin. Elevated levels of progesterone can stimulate sebaceous (oil) glands, which may lead to increased oiliness, acne, and in some cases, greasy skin.
Testosterone: Like progesterone, testosterone can also influence sebaceous glands, leading to excess oil production. This is often associated with an increase in acne, particularly in the jawline and chin area. Testosterone imbalances can also contribute to abnormal hair growth or hair thinning during menopause.
Skin Worthy's Skincare Strategies and Treatments to Combat Hormonal Changes
While Hormone Replacement Therapy ( HRT) or Estrogen Therapy (ET) can help, and we are happy to explore this as an option with you at our Sinworthy Clinic, www.sinworthy.ca , there are also a variety of skincare strategies and treatments that can support your skin during menopause. At Skin Worthy, we offer a range of medical-grade skincare options and non-surgical treatments to address the impact of hormonal changes on your skin.
1. Medical Grade Skincare
Using products formulated to address the specific needs of menopausal skin can make a big difference. At Skin Worthy we stand behind the ZO Skin Health line. Founded by Dermatologist Dr. Obagi, he belives in the latest ingredients backed by science, unique delivery systems ensuring ingredients can be used effectively, is always evolving his products based on research, and believes in restoring the skin to start behaving and functioning as it did in more youthful years. The high percentage of active ingrediants with the right delivery system aims to improve intrinsic hydration, vs. slapping on an non active mositurizer or hyalurinic acid where the molecule cannot penetrate the skin. Skin can only start to behave younger if active ingrediants are used to stimulate cells to get work, turn over, and restore the barrier function. Our top recommendations at Skin Worthy are:
Wrinkle and Texture Repair:
A .5% powerful retinol that is formulated to reach the dermis, it has two main goals. 1. stimulate the skin cells to turn over quicker (resulting in less dead dull skin cells that clog pores, which will result in less whiteheads/ blackheads which can turn into inflammatory acne). 2. Stimulate and boost collagen production to create thicker skin, which in turn will lessen wrinkle formation.
Daily Power Defence :
Skin becomes drier with loss of estrogen, and using active ingredients that stimulates the body to produce its own hydration is essential. Daily Power Defence is the solution-The trophy product of the entire line - includes ingrediants such as a micro-encapsulated retinol, vitamins A, C, E and other ingrediants to stimulate the skin to start to producing its own hydration, supports the skins DNA repair process, and strengthens the skins protective barrier while defending against environmental stressors and premature signs of aging.
Firming Serum :
Clinically proven to firm aging, loose skin. A powerful combination of ingredients including sodium DNA ( sturgeon sperm) to visibly tighten and firm the skin, restore collagen and elastin for improved elasticity, and minimizes the appearance of expression lines and wrinkles.
Growth Factor Serum:
This lightweight gel packs plant-based growth factors to stregthen the cells cellular matrix, stimulating collagen and elastin. Being the second most potent product in the line, it is proven to improve the thickness of skin + improve elasticity specifically by 35% with daily use. GFS restores the look of more of a more supple, hydrated skin and minimizes fine lines and wrinkles .
2. Mineral Sunscreen
With estrogen loss, the skin becomes more vulnerable to UV damage, which can accelerate aging. Using a mineral sunscreen with broad-spectrum protection is essential. Mineral sunscreens with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide are especially effective in blocking both UVA and UVB rays, helping to protect the skin from sun damage.
Our favourite at Skin Worthy is the Colour Science line. Their SPF 50, and anti-acne causing Variations include:
- the FLEX line which is tinted in serval shades, and has technology to blend into the skin to provide coverage for tonal irregularities.
-The Glow and Bronze options give the skin a beautiful shimmer and luminosity
-The NO SHOW- blends in without any cast or pigment
3. The Glow Getter
This combination SKINERGY treatment includes advanced, non-invasive treatments such as the BBL and HALO laser that stimulate collagen production, improve skin texture, reduce pigmentation, and help address other signs of aging. They’re an excellent way to annually rejuvenate your skin and restore that healthy glow that gets lost with hormonal changes.
4. The Sculptor
Another SKINERGY solution at Skin Worthy where we combine therapies to achieve elevated results is the Sculptor. We compare this one to a mini face lift. Doubling down on collagen and elastin stimulation we pair a biostimular called Sculptra (that will thicken skin and stimulate a natural production of volume) and Morpheus 8 ( a micro needling device with radio frequency that thickens and tightens skin). These together achieve a powerful and incredibly natural result where natural volume is restored, and skin is thickened, lifted and tightened.
5. Neurotoxins (Nuceiva, Botox, Dysport ect.)/ Glass face
Traditionally these are used to relax the muscles, which in turn lessens the stress that contractions cause on thinning skin, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles .
These can also be used in inovative ways as we are always doing at Skin Worthy. These neurotoxins can also be blended into skin boosters and microneedled more superfically into the skin. This blend of Nucieva and skinboosters -which are packed full of vitamins, amino acids & minerals will not only thicken, brighten, reduce redness, and hydrate skin, but they will also work superficially where the sebbacous glands are, to reduce sebum production, pore size and hormonal acne flareups.
6. Acne Treatment Program
For women experiencing acne during menopause, our Skin Worthy Acne Treatment Program can help clear active breakouts, prevent scarring, and restore healthy skin. This 3-part program includes: a low dose Accutane option, skincare and in clinic treatments to combat acne caused by hormonal changes.
The decline in estrogen levels during menopause, and imbalance of progesterone and testosterone can bring about noticeable changes in the skin, however, with the right combination of skincare, treatments, and possibly hormone therapy, it’s possible to maintain a glowing, youthful complexion during this life transition.
At Skin Worthy, we believe in a comprehensive approach to skincare that addresses the various effects of hormonal changes and the aging process. Whether you’re considering hormone therapy or exploring advanced treatments, we’re here to guide you through this transition or any life stage with confidence.
NP Cat
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