During menopause there are major hormonal changes that affect women in most organs and body systems. In the skin, the most important change is the loss of collagen and hyaluronic acid in the middle and deep dermis, which results in the appearance of the dreaded flaccidity and loss of skin hydration. As a result, the tissues tend to sag and wrinkle. The age is variable, as is the onset of menopause, but around the age of 50 is when the changes appear most rapidly (sometimes even within months).
It is very important to maintain healthy lifestyle habits to prevent aging in general and therefore minimize the undesirable effects of menopause. Tobacco, alcohol and lack of sleep are negative factors that enhance cellular oxidation and degeneration. Physical exercise and a varied and healthy diet with natural products are positive factors that we should practice on a regular basis to counteract the effects of aging in general.
To prevent the signs of skin aging, there are various dermatological treatments that have proven to be effective in obtaining natural results in a safe way. It is advisable to start treating aging before the abrupt loss of collagen and hyaluronic acid that occurs at menopause, since it is more difficult to obtain optimal results afterwards.
The dermatological treatments indicated for the prevention and treatment of aging, especially during menopause, are:
- Peelings (improves skin quality)
- Vitamins and platelet-rich plasma (stimulates the creation of new collagen and hyaluronic acid)
- Hyaluronic acid (moisturizes the skin, replenishes lost volume and improves furrows and wrinkles)
- Botulinum toxin or Botox (relaxes expression wrinkles).
In general, the skin’s hydration needs increase during menopause, so it is advisable to use cosmetics with a higher fat content. However, sometimes acne lesions appear on the face or an increase in oily secretion and in these cases a specific dermatological treatment must be carried out for each patient.
There are different types of skin blemishes associated with menopause. In either case, it is essential to avoid sun exposure and to use sunscreens of more than 50SPF to prevent new spots from appearing or existing ones from darkening.
Hormonal spots, also called melasma or chloasma, are difficult to treat and must be assessed on an individual basis. It is generally necessary to use different types of chemical peels and master formulas suitable for each type of blemish and skin type.
Sunspots called solar lentigo type sunspots need to be treated with a specific laser that will resolve them in most cases.