Everyone wants to age gracefully. And we put in a great deal of effort in order to do so! Remember the massive transformation our skin went through during puberty? Well, get ready for another metamorphosis! It’s called menopause and comes with many skin and hair changes. Here is what to expect.

What is the Difference Between Perimenopause and Menopause?

You might’ve heard of two terms – perimenopause and menopause. Nope, they aren’t twins, they’re more like stages in a play. The first act, perimenopause, is a fancy term for the transition time leading up to menopause. Your periods might get weird – sometimes light, sometimes heavy, sometimes right on time, sometimes super late. Once you’ve gone a full year without a period, congrats, you’ve hit menopause and closed the curtain on having babies.

Board-certified dermatologist Dr. David Kim, M.D explains that during the time of perimenopause and menopause, the production of the hormones estrogen and progesterone begins to slow, which can lead to a variety of changes that can happen quickly. These can include hot flashes and night sweats, mood swings, brain fog, weight gain, and difficulty sleeping. Your skin can change a lot too! Many women start to see these changes in their mid-forties.

What Hormones Can do to Our Aging Skin

Hormones are like magic potions for our skin. They help keep it plump, hydrated, and elastic. But as we get older, hormone levels go down, and our skin can get thinner, drier, and wrinkles can pop up faster.

Estrogen, one of these magical hormones, is like a skin superstar. It keeps our skin thick, moisturized, and helps make collagen, which gives our skin its bounce. It also plays a big role in keeping our hair healthy. Progesterone, often called the pregnancy hormone, also helps keep our skin hydrated.

How This Affects Skin Texture

But when the estrogen party winds down, our skin can really feel it. It might get thinner, drier, less bouncy, and wrinkles can appear more often. According to Dr. Jeanine Downie, a board-certified dermatologist, “A lack of estrogen can make the skin dull, dry and more prone to wrinkling and crepiness on the face, neck and body.” It is clear that estrogen is a necessary component for optimal skin health.

Dr. Kim describes perimenopause, which women usually experience during their mid-40s, as the appetizer before menopause, which is the main course. Along with skin dryness and mild acne, the body starts to reduce its estrogen levels as it transitions into menopause. According to Dr. Downie, after five years of menopause, women have already lost approximately 30% of their skin’s natural collagen. Additionally, an additional 2% of collagen is lost on a yearly basis, leading to skin that is noticeably drier, thinner, duller, and more wrinkled.

Collagen loss, which is inevitable during perimenopause/menopause, is a primary contributor to dry skin. A decrease in hyaluronic acid and sebum production also makes the situation worse. Although the skin on the body can also be impacted, changes to the face may be more visible and reflect the decline in estrogen levels more quickly.

What About Hair?

And, oh, did I forget about hair? Yup, hormones can mess with that too. As estrogen levels go down, your hair can become thinner, less dense, and even start to fall out. The lack of estrogen and progesterone can let male hormones take over, causing hair loss. Some women may find that their part is wider or that their hair is patchy, as well as dry and frizzy due to the lack of sebum production from the scalp.

To promote hair growth, supplements rich in vitamins and nutrients, as well as topical or oral minoxidil and red light stimulation (which can help reverse hair miniaturization) should be used to keep the hair in the growing phase for as long as possible. In addition, treating the scalp like the skin on the face and body, with regular exfoliation and conditioning, can set the stage for healthy hair growth. Leave-in styling products with volumizers, such as rice proteins and starch powder, can provide the appearance of thicker, fuller hair until the next shampoo.

Ok, So What Can I Do to Help Aging Skin?

Switching your skincare products to ones that address your new skin needs can be a good start. Drinking lots of water is also super important. Since your skin might be drier during menopause, keeping it moisturized becomes more important. Choose creams that are thicker and rich in lipids and ceramides, ingredients that help protect your skin and keep it from drying out. Also, you might want to consider using face masks for extra hydration. And don’t forget about drinking water! Your skin loves hydration from inside and outside.

Drinking Enough Water is Essential

As the skin loses its capacity to keep water during menopause and perimenopause, moisturizing becomes essential. According to Dr. Downie, “the only way to reduce dryness is to consistently use a moisturizer.”

In order to combat dryness, opt for creams with thicker consistencies rather than light-weight ones. According to Dr. Kim, the best solution would be formulas for both face and body that are high in lipids and ceramides, which help protect the skin and prevent it from drying out. Dr. Garshick also favors these, as humectants such as hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and anti-inflammatory niacinamide soothe and provide an extra layer of security. To further increase hydration, you can also use hydrating masks as needed. Alternatively, you can apply a moisturizer and then finish off with a few drops of face oil to preserve the moisture. Because the skin naturally loses moisture during this time, one of the best ways to hydrate is to do it from the inside out. Make sure you’re drinking at least 8 glasses a day, and the more the better. 

It’s also good to treat menopause symptoms for better skin health. This means taking a good multi-vitamin, eating healthy, staying out of the sun during peak hours, getting plenty of sleep and regular exercise.

Menopause is just a stage in life, not the end of the world. Knowing what’s coming can help you handle the changes and take good care of yourself. Remember to embrace your new self and rock your menopause years with grace and confidence!