Menopause – a time of significant changes
51 is the average age at which ovarian follicular activity ceases and a woman finally stops menstruating. Menopause – and the premenopausal period before it - is associated with hormonal changes, primarily a decrease in oestrogen levels. Their deficiency affects the entire body and is responsible, among other things, for vasomotor symptoms, disorders of the genitourinary system, as well as cognitive difficulties and low mood.1.
The symptoms of menopause and their duration are individual, depending on genetic and external factors, as well as lifestyle. The most common symptoms are hot flushes, night sweats and sleep disturbances. It is estimated that 20% of women may experience these symptoms for 10 years or longer.2.
Skin during menopause
The endocrine system plays a key role in skin function. Sex hormones influence the skin aging process, as evidenced by the changes it undergoes during menopause. Furthermore, studies have shown the presence of estrogen and progesterone receptors in the skin, particularly on the face, and a reduction in their expression in women during the menopause.3.
After entering menopause, the exchange of nutrients and metabolites between the epidermis and dermis is significantly reduced. The effects of these changes include a decrease in collagen fibres, elastin fibres and fibroblasts, as well as dilation of the papillary layer vessels. As a result, the epidermis becomes thinner and the skin becomes sagging.4.
In menopausal women, the skin ageing process intensifies significantly – changes associated with menopause, chronological ageing (related to age) and photoageing (related to UV radiation) overlap. As a result, the skin becomes thin, loses its elasticity, and develops furrows and wrinkles of various depths, telangiectasia, discolouration and even rosacea. The proportions of the face are disturbed, and it loses its oval shape.5.
Skincare for relieving menopause symptoms
Skincare during menopause involves several basic rules. First and foremost, it is essential to stay hydrated – drink at least 8 glasses of water every day – and eat a diet rich in fruit, vegetables and healthy fats.
To prevent trans-epidermal water loss, which contributes to dryness and sagging skin, moisturising and nourishing cosmetics should be included in your daily skincare routine. It is worth choosing specialised products designed to meet the needs of skin during perimenopause and menopause. 6.
Cosmetics containing the following ingredients should have a special place in your daily skincare:
- lipids – natural oils, which are one of the basic building materials of the skin. Their levels decrease with ageing and exposure to UV radiation. Cosmetics containing a complex of lipid compounds effectively moisturise and nourish the skin, supporting its regeneration.
- lipo-fillers – natural fillers work similarly to those used in aesthetic medicine clinics. Lipo-filler fills in wrinkles and increases the volume of areas of the face that have lost their shape.
- growth factors – they are responsible for natural repair processes, stimulating cell division, differentiation and growth. Thanks to them, the skin can regenerate effectively, reversing the signs of aging. Products from the MENOPERFECT line by Agenity have been enriched with Liposomal FGF1 LMSTM – a breakthrough, patented growth factor technology combined with the LIPO-SPHERE transdermal delivery system. It is responsible for the powerful anti-aging and regenerative effects of the MENOPERFECT products.
- natural phytohormones – plant-based hormones that soothe the effects of menopause on the skin by stimulating collagen and hyaluronic acid production.
Sun protection is also extremely important, regardless of the season or weather. Using a cream with a high SPF filter helps delay photoaging and reduces the risk of cancerous and precancerous changes.
Literature
1 M. A. Maturana, M. C. Irigoyen, P. M. Spritzer, Menopause, estrogens, and endothelial dysfunction: current concepts, Clinics, Volume 62, Issue 1, 2007, Pages 77-86, ISSN 1807-5932, https://doi.org/10.1590/S1807-59322007000100012.
2 C. C. Zouboulis, U. Blume-Peytavi, M. Kosmadaki, E. Roó, D. Vexiau-Robert, D. Kerob & S. R. Goldstein (2022) Skin, hair and beyond: the impact of menopause, Climacteric, 25:5, 434-442, DOI: 10.1080/13697137.2022.2050206
3 N. J. Raine-Fenning, M. P. Brincat, Y. Muscat-Baron Skin Aging and Menopause Implications for Treatment Am J Clin Dermatol 2003; 4 (6): 371-378
4 A. Lizak, I. Załęska, A. Matuła, M. Wilk Molekularne mechanizmy starzenia się skóry w okresie menopauzy Kosmetologia Estetyczna 2 / 2019 / vol. 8
5 B. Zegarska, M. Woźniak Wpływ estrogenu na zmiany zachodzące w skórze Przegląd Menopauzalny 2007; 4: 233–238
6 A. Saroso, H. Sutanto, D. Adriani, M. Mustika Anggiane Putri, T. Khusfiani, I. Rachmiyani Effective Skin Care Management in Postmenopausal Women. Journal of Society Medicine. 2023; 2(10): 321-323, https://doi.org/10.47353/jsocmed.v2i10.98
