Menopause and Skin Changes
Menopause is an incredibly complicated process that all
women endure as they reach middle age. For some, symptoms appear to be a mere
end to the monthly cycle. For others, it is a difficult process that can last
for a few years and cause a variety of changes. As we already discussed
earlier, menopause not only affects the internal body, but it affects the skin
as well.
The hormonal changes that occur during and after
menopause tend to change the skin’s physiology. We know that the decline of
B-Estradiol during menopause is one of the culprits in the accelerated aging of
the skin. We also know that menopause is mostly caused by age-related changes
in the ovaries, and the number of follicles remaining in the ovaries of
menopausal women is significantly reduced. In addition, the follicles, that
remain, become less sensitive to stimulation by pituitary hormones, even though
their levels are elevated, resulting in fewer mature follicles and a reduction
in the production of corpora lutea. This results in lowered estrogen and
progesterone production, which in turn leads to changes in the skin.
Sagging Skin and Wrinkles
Estrogens stimulate fat deposits over the female body; as
estrogen levels drop during menopause, fat deposits tend to become
redistributed and often concentrated over the abdomen and/or on the thighs and
buttocks. The result is a loss of supportive fat below the skin of the face,
neck, hands and arms; this allows sagging wrinkles to appear, and the skin over
these areas is less easily compressed, as it loses its mobility. Also, fat
deposits are reduced in the breasts, resulting in loss of turgor, which causes
the breasts to begin to sag and flatten.
While wrinkles on skin are a natural part of the aging
process, certain areas tend to be more prone to these changes. Skin around the
eyes, lips and on the neck seems to be more sensitive to the ravages of time.
Other causes of wrinkles include overexposure to ultraviolet rays of the sun,
stress, rapid weight loss, Vitamin E deficiency and smoking.
Botox?
According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic
Surgery, more than 1.6 million botulinum toxin (commonly referred to as Botox)
procedures were performed in 2002, making it the most popular nonsurgical
procedure. By temporarily paralyzing the muscles that cause wrinkles, Botox has
been shown to dramatically reduce the appearance of moderate to severe frown
lines, or furrows, between the eyebrows. In fact, women with frown lines and
crows' feet are gathering in living rooms across the nation to get the shots
that smooth facial wrinkles as Botox parties become the Tupperware parties of
new millennium.
What to Do?
Before getting appointment to the plastic surgeon, review
what the alternative approaches are to improve your skin conditions and remove /
reduce much hated wrinkles on your face.
1. Collagen
Stimulation
As said, levels of collagen, the key protein in your
skin, drop because of the decrease in estrogen, making skin more prone to
wrinkling during and after menopause. Almost a third of your collagen is lost
within the first five years of menopause (though the decline slows considerably
after that). Consider skin care for wrinkles, which includes topical retinoids
— prescription-strength lotions, gels, or creams derived from vitamin A —
because they can stimulate collagen in the skin and improve smoothness. He also
notes that wrinkles are the result of fat loss in the face brought on by aging,
so fat transfers or fillers like Juvéderm, Restylane, and Perlane may help
counteract any sagginess. And resurfacing lasers can improve skin texture,
stimulate collagen, and reduce fine lines.
2. Apply Lemon
Juice
Apply lemon juice to your face twice each day. Lemon
juice works as a natural astringent to tone skin and reduce wrinkles. Leave
lemon juice on your face for about 10 minutes before rinsing off. Olive oil is
another option, particularly for diminishing the appearance of laugh lines and
crow's feet. The Vitamin E in olive oil is a powerful antioxidant that works to
fade age spots.
3. Apply Milk to
your Skin
Improve skin texture and tone by applying milk to your
skin each night after washing or bathing. The lactic acid in milk helps get rid
of dead skin cells and stimulates collagen production. Soak a clean, cotton
cloth in milk and then place on the skin in problem areas.
4. Apply Coconut
Milk
Squeeze the milk out of grated, raw coconut. Put on your
face for a rejuvenating, glowing effect.
5. Add Avocado to
your Diet or use as a Mask
Add avocados to your diet, or apply the pulp directly to
your face. Avocado is a common home remedy for wrinkles that gives skin more
elasticity by replenishing moisture. The fats in the oil work to smooth and
plump the skin. Another anti-aging treatment option is to puree the flesh of
the fruit and use it as a facial mask. Leave the mask on for 10 minutes before
rinsing off.
6. Apply Honey
Mask to your Skin
Mix ½ tbsp. honey with 2 tbsp. rose water. Rub over your
face and neck. Leave on for 20 minutes before rinsing off with tepid water. The
honey works to moisturize dry skin. Sonia Badreshia-Bansal, M.D., F.A.A.D., a
dermatologist and member of the American Academy of Dermatology, advises that
if you suffer from exceptionally dry skin, you should cleanse your face only at
night to keep from stripping it of its natural oils. Rinse your face in the
morning with cool water.
7. Sun Damage
Protection
Although wrinkles have a genetic component, sun exposure
is perhaps the biggest contributor to this unwanted skin damage. According to
the North American Menopause Society, aging skin is even more vulnerable to the
harmful effects of the sun. Therefore, one of the most important skin care tools
is sunscreen. Note that it is important to use the sunscreen with the higher
protection grade, apply a moisturizer with a sunscreen on daily basis, and do
not forget to switch to a waterproof sunscreen while going swimming.
8. Quit Smoking
If you have not quit smoking yet after you start reading
this blog, here’s yet another reason to put down the cigarettes. Smoking can
age skin prematurely, as the nicotine in cigarettes constricts blood vessels, causing
blood flow impairment, reducing oxygen and nutrients supply to the skin. Many
of the toxic chemicals in tobacco smoke also damage collagen and elastin in the
skin, resulting in sagging and wrinkles.
9. Rehydrate Dry
Skin
Dry skin is a common menopause symptom. Sun damage and
the thinning of skin due to decreased hormone production contribute to this
problem. Avoid drying deodorant soaps, and instead choose superfatted soaps
like Dove or Cetaphil . Also skip long showers and soaks in hot water, both of
which can dry out your skin. And be generous with moisturizer after bathing.
10. Apply Gentle
Daily Massage
Massage your face gently each evening to increase blood
flow to the area. Using both hands, start at the neck and massage upward to the
forehead. This can make existing wrinkles appear less noticeable. Massage
tightens muscles, which can give you a younger look.
11. Add Berries to
your Diet
Blueberries, strawberries, cranberries, and raspberries
are all loaded with antioxidants, which save cells from premature aging.
Sources and
Additional Information: