Supporting the Skin Through Menopause

Advanced Facialist Mariam Abbas specialises in laser-focused skin rejuvenation and advanced corrective solutions. Her underpinning methodology embodies reparation of the stratum corneum to improve barrier function, ultimately enhancing the health and balance of the entire skin. Here, Mariam shares insight around how the menopause affects skin, and her top treatments for bringing balance back.

Menopause, marked by a year's gap since your last menstrual cycle, can usher in visible shifts in your skin and hair. As hormone levels take a dive, your skin might turn dry, lose its elasticity, and thin out. Facial hair might become more prominent, while your scalp might see reduced hair density. Menopause is one of the main intrinsic and chronological skin ageing factors for women as it accelerates all ageing processes of the skin.

The Changes Skin Goes Through

Transepidermal Water Loss (TEWL)

Enzymatic function slows down as a result of transepidermal water loss in the epidermis as well as degradation of hyaluronic acid levels and quality in the dermis. Production of sebum and natural skin lipids that help to hold water in the skin are reduced and as a result, skin starts to look thin, dull and dehydrated, with a visible increase in lines, wrinkles and volume loss.

Collagen

Lower levels of hydration can cause collagen strands to become brittle as the sugars in the tissue fluid become concentrated and crystallise around the collagen fibres. Collagen production slows down and collagen degradation increases.

Skin Metabolism

Slower skin metabolism causes a reduction in blood circulation and oxygen supply to the skin, making the skin look sallow; epidermal and surface conditions such as photodamage, pigmentation irregularities and redness as well as rosacea from broken capillaries may occur as a result.

Bone Density

Bone density decreases as natural fat levels are depleted in the deeper layers of the skin, with a depletion in collagen in the junction between the dermis and epidermis. The combined impact on the skin is loss of volume and skin laxity and elasticity as well as sagging such as jowls.

Treatments and Ingredients to Support the Skin

The key are skincare ingredients that add hydration, increase cell turnover, stimulate collagen production, lymphatic drainage and blood circulation, and treatments that lift and contour to bring the skin and face back into balance.

Ingredients

I highly recommend hyaluronic acid and glycerine for replenishing hydration; ceramides, squalene and vitamin E for replenishing natural lipid levels; vitamins A & C for cellular turnover and collagen synthesis and lastly, vitamin B3 and niacinamide for their anti-inflammatory properties.

Topical Products

My top skincare products for menopausal skin are; NeoGenesis Intensive Moisturiser, Neogenesis Barrier Renewal Cream, NeoGenesis Eye Serum, Byonik Seal and Byonik Eye Cream, Alumier MD Vit C & E and peptides, Alumier MD Retinol and Epionce Daily Shield tinted SPF.

Treatments

Microneedling is great for stimulating collagen production and improving pigmentation, shallow lines, enlarged pores, and tightening the skin. Vivace Microneedling work for deeper skin remodelling, skin tightening and increased collagen production while Skin Boosters and Mesotherapy increase hydration levels and introduce skin building peptides and amino acids.

Dermafrac Meso Infusion is also great for gently removing dead skin cells and infusing the skin with hydration.

While there are many treatments available to address specific skin concerns, the one treatment that I would incorporate for maintaining skin health, restoring volume, and hydration levels while addressing epidermal surface issues at the same time is the Byonik Laser. This treatment works with the body at a cellular level to increase cell metabolism, extend cell life, replenish hydration levels and reduce inflammation. I would recommend it as the ONE treatment to have for supporting results from other treatments outside of the brilliant results it gives in itself.

Does Menopause Affect All Skin Types the Same?

Each individual woman will experience the effects of menopause a little differently, especially when considering extrinsic lifestyle factors such as; smoking, alcohol consumption, diet, exercise and environmental exposure - which all have a huge impact on how the skin ages. For example, A person with high sugar consumption may show more signs of collagen glycation; smokers may show signs of more dull and sallow skin because of the lower oxygen levels and the free radical damage coupled with the depletion of vitamin C. Although intrinsic ageing such as decreased oestrogen levels, bone shrinking and collagen degradation is inevitable for each individual who goes through menopause, genetics will determine how the skin ages.