Menopausal Skin Treatments, West Malling, Kent

The skin serves as a mirror of our hormonal health, reflecting the intricate balance of our bodily functions. This mirror, however, can lose its lustre during perimenopause, a time marked by a tumultuous hormonal flux that many endure for years. Initially, as progesterone levels decline, our skin may become drier and flakier, a notable change even for those accustomed to combination skin. As perimenopause progresses, fluctuations in oestrogen and a rise in testosterone compromise the skin’s elasticity and firmness. On top of this, the onset of perimenopause heralds a significant loss of collagen—up to one-third in the first five years—further impacting the skin’s vitality and youthful appearance. Fortunately, there are many ways that we can prepare the skin to handle these changes, from collagen-stimulating treatments like skin boosters to good at-home skincare.⁠

What does menopausal skin look like?

In the lead-up to menopause, known as the perimenopause phase, skin often becomes more sensitive, necessitating a cautious approach to skincare products and the avoidance of irritants. Many women notice an uptick in adult acne or changes in pigmentation, alongside alterations in the skin’s barrier function. These changes, particularly in the skin’s lipid layer, can result in increased moisture loss. The dermis sees a decline in hyaluronic acid and collagen, leading to thinner, drier skin. While some may welcome a reduction in sebum production, especially those who have contended with hormonal acne, this shift can leave others struggling with dryness. The decrease in hyaluronic acid, a vital molecule known for its water-retaining properties, means the skin holds less moisture, exacerbating dryness and thinning. Understanding these changes is pivotal for adapting our skincare routines to support our skin’s health through menopause.

What happens to your skin during menopause? 

Hormone levels have a big impact on the skin. During the perimenopause, the amount of oestrogen created in the body dwindles, and when we hit actual menopause, our oestrogen levels tank. The decrease in oestrogen levels during peri-menopause and beyond leads to significant changes in the skin, including reduced firmness and elasticity due to lower collagen and elastin production. This hormonal shift also results in drier skin, as it makes less hyaluronic acid and struggles to retain moisture, contributing to a thinner appearance and more pronounced wrinkles. And the loss of these key structural proteins and moisture makes the skin look duller, as it no longer reflects light as effectively.

How to prepare your skin for menopause

If you know, or suspect, that you are heading towards the menopause and that it’s affecting your face, here’s the bad news: you’re probably right. Yes, it’s all perfectly normal and natural but it’s not great. But here’s the good news: there’s a lot you can do about it. First, you need to ask yourself, what is your main concern, or concerns, about your face?

To help, here are some of my top recommended aesthetic treatments for the typical symptoms of menopausal skin…

Injectable skin boosters

Skin boosters like Profhilo and polynucleotides offer innovative ways to rejuvenate menopausal skin, addressing several of the common concerns associated with hormonal changes during this time. Menopausal skin often suffers from dryness, loss of elasticity, thinning, and an overall lacklustre appearance due to decreased oestrogen levels, which affect the production of collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid.

Radiofrequency Microneedling and Ultrasound Skin Tightening

Energy-based devices using technologies like Radiofrequency Microneedling and Ultrasound Skin Tightening are innovative solutions for improving menopausal skin, which often experiences dryness, laxity, and thinning due to hormonal changes.

Facial fillers

Facial fillers are a game-changer for improving menopausal faces, which often lose volume, elasticity, and moisture due to the decrease in oestrogen levels. By injecting hyaluronic acid or other biocompatible materials beneath the skin, fillers can instantly plump up areas that have become hollow or wrinkled, restoring a more youthful contour, and reducing the appearance of fine lines. Additionally, some fillers can stimulate the body’s natural collagen production, providing longer-lasting benefits beyond mere volume enhancement. This minimally invasive treatment can significantly rejuvenate the skin’s appearance, making it an attractive option for those looking to address the signs of ageing brought on by menopause. 

Hormone Supplementation

As well as providing many general-health benefits for your heart, your bones and joints, and relieving menopausal symptoms like hot flushes, night sweats and heart palpitations, and keeping internal mucous membranes in your vagina and in your mouth lubricated and restoring your mood and self-esteem, hormone replacement therapy can work miracles for the skin by restoring the oestrogen supply. Here’s what it will do:

  • Slow down the dramatic drop-off in collagen and elastin levels, so your skin stays firmer, and collagen stimulating tweakments and skincare will have more effect (because they’ve got more active fibroblasts to work on, and to stimulate into action).
  • Maintain sebum levels, which helps keep your skin barrier healthy and in good nick.
  • Help maintain your natural levels of hyaluronic acid which holds onto moisture in your skin – so your skin stays better hydrated with plumped up skin cells.

What about skincare?

Use vitamin C serums to brighten

Vitamin C serums support collagen production in the skin, help your skin to defend itself against the environment, and reduce pigmentation, which makes the skin brighter, too.

Hydration is vital

Because the menopause is making your skin thinner and drier focus on hydrating serums to feed more moisture back into the skin.

Seal in hydration

If you’re having issues with your skin barrier, choose a moisturiser that has plenty of ceramides, which are ingredients that help fill in the gaps between skin cells and keep moisture on the inside of the skin where it’s needed.

Add retinoids at night to stimulate collagen production

Adding retinol, or another form of retinoid, into your skincare regime will encourage your skin to renew itself, counteract the slowing down of the process by which the skin makes new, fresh skin cells, and generate more collagen which helps keep the skin firm.

Strengthen your skin with peptides

There are a lot of suggestions here already, but if you fancy something else, a peptide-based serum can help firm and strengthen the skin.

If you’d like to learn more about the options, click here to enquire or to book a consultation.