Understanding the Menopause

As menopause approaches, skin undergoes shifts that can impact comfort and appearance. We hope this page will provide help on navigating skin changes during menopause, exploring the most common skin concerns and discussing practical solutions. Want to learn more or talk directly to an expert? Take this opportunity to book a no obligation complementary consultation, in a supportive, friendly environment. Get in touch to discuss your skin concerns, symptoms and treatments for the menopause in Hitchin at Fox Medical Aesthetics.

Please take time to explore and read the information below and find out what you can do to treat symptoms of the menopause that are affecting your skin and facial appearance and treatments options that target the areas that undergo changes through the menopause.

As menopause approaches, skin undergoes shifts that can impact comfort and appearance. Let’s explore the most common skin concerns during this phase and discuss practical solutions:

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Itching and Dry Skin

A frequent and common symptom from women experiencing menopause is itching and dry skin. This is because Oestrogen, a key player in skin hydration, assists in producing essential components like ceramides, natural hyaluronic acid, and sebum. When these substances decline, water evaporates more readily, leaving the skin parched and scaly.

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What Can You Do?

• Cleanse. Traditional soaps can be harsh. Opt for non-foaming cleansers instead—they cleanse without stripping away essential oils. If dryness persists, consider using a moisturizing lotion as a soap substitute.

• Moisturise Religiously: Make moisturising a ritual. Apply it twice a day, especially after bathing. Moisturisers help the skin retain water, preventing excessive dryness. Use a lighter moisturiser during the day and a richer one at night.

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What Can We Do?

We understand that menopause can bring various changes to the skin, such as dryness, thinning, and increased sensitivity and laxity. We can provide personalised treatments and recommendations to address specific skincare concerns. We offer a range of services, including restoring volume, injectable treatments, and medical-grade skincare products that can help maintain skin health and address menopausal skin issues.

Histamine release in the skin or irritation of skin nerves can cause sensations akin to insects crawling (known as ‘formication’). Also, iron deficiency and thyroid disturbances could be other contributing factors. If concerned about itchy skin, please discuss this with your GP.

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Redness and Flushing (Rosacea)

As menopause approaches, skin becomes more sensitive, and certain issues arise. Flushing is common, sudden waves of warmth and redness are a well-known menopausal symptom. However, it can also stem from rosacea, a condition where blood vessels in the skin become hyperreactive. Interestingly, rosacea tends to affect women more, especially during menopause. Let’s address them and explore practical steps.

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What Can You Do?

Lifestyle Adjustments and simple changes can make a difference. Consider:

• Limiting Alcohol and Caffeine: These can trigger flushing.

• Avoiding Spicy Foods: They may exacerbate redness.

• Sun Protection: Shield your skin from UV rays.

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What Can We Do?

We understand that menopause can bring about changes in the skin, including flushing and redness. Our experienced medical team offers a range of treatment options to address these concerns. This includes personalised skincare routines, prescription medications, phototherapy or other advanced dermatological procedures, such as microneedling. During a consultation, we will assess your specific needs and create a customised treatment plan to help alleviate flushing and redness, promoting a more comfortable and confident experience during menopause. Our goal is to provide effective, evidence-based solutions to support your skin health and overall well-being during this transitional phase of life.

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Remember, caring for your skin during menopause involves understanding its unique needs and adapting your routine accordingly

Spots and Acne

Breakouts and Flare-Ups: Spots—whether pimples, blackheads, or whiteheads—are distressing at any age. During menopause, many women experience breakouts and flare-ups, even if they did not have acne as teenagers. The exact cause remains unclear, but hormonal shifts play a role.

What Can You Do?

Choose Skin Products Wisely:

• Noncomedogenic Makeup: Ensure your makeup and sun protection are mineral based products that won’t worsen acne.

• Salicylic Acid Cleanser: Use a mild cleanser containing salicylic acid—it helps exfoliate and unclog pores.

• Incorporate Retinol or Retinoids and Niacinamide: These ingredients can benefit acne-prone skin.

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What Can We Do?

Hormonal changes during menopause can often lead to an increase in spots and acne. We offer tailored treatment plans to address these concerns. We offer a range of options including professional-grade facials, chemical peels, and advanced skincare products that can help to reduce inflammation, unclog pores, and improve overall skin texture. Additionally, we provide personalised recommendations for at-home skincare routines to maintain results between treatments. We believe in a holistic approach to skincare, focusing not only on treating the symptoms but also on addressing the root cause of skin issues. Contact us to schedule a consultation and start your journey to healthier, clearer skin during menopause.

Remember, understanding your skin’s needs during menopause empowers you to make informed choices. Skin products can take time to work. Be patient and consistent in your skincare routine.

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​Signs of Sun Damage

Prominence Around Menopause: Especially for those with sun exposure history, signs of sun damage become more noticeable. These include:

• Irregular Skin Tone

• Lackluster Skin

• Sun Spots (Flat Brown Marks): Common on the face, décolleté, and arms.

• Thread Veins, Lines, or Wrinkles

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What Can You Do?

Sun Protection: Prioritize sun safety:

• High SPF (Factor 50): Apply and reapply every 2 hours.

• Wide-Brimmed Hat and Long Sleeves: Shield your skin.

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What Can We Do?

We take into account the unique effects of menopause on the skin, including increased susceptibility to sun damage. We offer advanced AI driven skin analysis technology and use a range of specialised treatments to address sun damage, such as facials and superficial peels, and regenerative treatments such as polynucleotides, alongside a personalised skincare regimen. We will develop a holistic plan that caters to the specific needs of menopausal skin, taking into account hormonal changes and other factors. Our goal is to not only diminish existing sun damage but also to prevent further harm and promote overall skin health during menopause.  You can expect tailored and effective solutions to combat sun damage and achieve radiant, healthy skin.

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Seek Professional Advice if concerned about dark spots or changing moles. Use our map my mole consultion allows your clinic to access UK consultant dermatologists for an opinion within 24 hours or your GP or for a skin review.

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Bruising, Fragile Skin, and Slow Wound Healing

• Collagen production drops with age, weakening the skin. Reduced collagen around blood vessels leads to easy bruising. Wounds heal more slowly with low oestrogen levels.

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What Can You Do? 

Consider HRT: Replacing lost oestrogen early can help preserve skin collagen levels.

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What Can We Do?

We understand the challenges that menopause-related changes can bring to your skin, including increased bruising and slower healing. We offer personalised treatment plans to help skin health and skin rejuvenation, stimulate collagen production and improve skin elasticity. Additionally, we will provide bespoke skincare regimen, that may include specific products designed to speed up the healing process. We can also refer you on to a  nutritional specialist for professional advice and guidance on diet, to support overall skin health during the menopausal transition. Contact us to schedule a consultation and learn more about how we can help you address these specific menopausal skin concerns.

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Addressing Facial Changes During Menopause

The transition through menopause brings not only internal shifts but also noticeable changes in facial appearance. Recent studies highlight that menopause affects bone density, even in facial bones. As bone tissue diminishes faster than it regenerates, facial bones become smaller. This bone loss contributes to several facial changes:

• Mid-Face Hollowing

• Chin Narrowing

• Jowling

• Loss of Jawline Definition

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Collagen is a vital protein, that provides skin strength and resilience. During the first 5 Years after Menopause up to 30% of skin collagen can be lost and when collagen production drops the skin loses its firmness, leading to laxity, fine lines and wrinkles.

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What Can You Do?

Lifestyle Adjustments:

• Limit sun exposure to prevent collagen breakdown.

• Stop Smoking: Smoking accelerates collagen loss.

Anti-Aging Serums:

• Topical Retinoids: These promote collagen production and improve skin texture.

• Vitamin C: An antioxidant that supports collagen synthesis.

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What Can We Do?

We offer a variety of non-surgical and minimally invasive treatments to address these changes, such as Profhilo to improve volume, dermal fillers to restore and rejuvenate your features, skin tightening procedures to improve sagging, and other personalised medical aesthetic treatment plans to help you achieve a more youthful and rejuvenated appearance perimenopause, during and after menopause. We are dedicated to providing personalised care and tailored treatment plans to help you look and feel your best at every stage of life.

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Remember proactive care can help maintain skin vitality and minimise the signs of aging.