Maintaining healthy skin after menopause

Menopause – often referred to as “the change of life,” could also be referenced as “the change of your skin.” If you are not paying attention to this time of changes, your skin could end up much older looking and sallow than it should.  However, that does not mean you have to simply give up and believe there is nothing to prevent that.  Before discussing ways you can protect you skin keeping it healthy looking and glowing even after menopause, it’s important to understand the toll the change of life can have on your skin.

Menopause’s effect on your skin

During menopause, lower levels of estrogen have a big impact on the health and appearance of your skin. As estrogen levels plummet, your skin will be more prone to thinning, sagging, and wrinkling. The production of collagen will become less and less. Collagen is a natural type of protein in the body, made up of amino acids forming the connective tissues that hold skin, bone, tendons, muscle, and cartilage together.  Collagen is important in the way our skin looks and feels because it is the main structural component providing firmness and shape.

After menopause, fat will be lost under your skin resulting in less elasticity in your skin.  That, combined with dryness caused by hormonal changes, can also cause sagging – especially around the neck, jawline, and cheeks, along with fine lines and wrinkles.  Crow’s feet and lines above the upper lip are common skin changes showing up after menopause.

Keeping skin healthy after menopause

The passage of time will result in skin changes that are not all bad. Having a few lines or wrinkles can show you’ve lived a full life and everyone as they age will develop them.  But, to slow down excessive skin changes, there are fortunately things you can do to relieve some of the skin-related effects of aging by taking specific skin care steps starting today:

·      Keep your skin clean

An important skin care step is cleansing, especially as you age.  Skin becomes drier with age so your skin will significantly benefit from extra moisture.  The trick is choosing and using a cleanser that’s right for drier skin. Opt for a creamy formula that hydrates instead of foam or gel cleansers, which can strip away moisture.

·      Keep your skin hydrated

Once menopause is past, your skin gets drier since oil glands are less active.  The solution for this is to provide your skin with more moisture by using a heavier cream.  Avoid long, hot showers and put on moisturizer on your legs and arms once you step out while your skin is still damp.  That locks in the moisture helping to boost hydration.

·      Keep using sunscreen

Now more than ever, protect your skin with sunscreen.  Even though skin cancer and wrinkling are caused by the amount of sun you got in your 20s, 30s, and 40s, using a broad-spectrum sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher everyday will be necessary to prevent any further damage.  Older skin may also have less natural protection than when you were younger. 

·      Keep wrinkles to a minimum

Wrinkles are caused primarily from too much sun damage over the years but they are also caused by the hormonal changes of menopause.  As your hormone levels decrease with age, this can change your skin quality making wrinkles worse.  When your skin is dry, wrinkles are usually more obvious. Be sure to always use a moisturizer on your face, jawline, and neck every day and look for skin care products designed to help fight fine lines and sagging.  This helps in leading to a brighter appearance overall.

·      Keep age spots to a minimum

You wake up one day and suddenly you notice spots covering your hands, face, and chest.  Menopause accelerates the appearance of age spots.  The diligent use of daily sunscreen can put a dent on the amount and appearance of unwanted spots.  Take advantage of excellent skin care products beneficial in reducing these telltale signs of age – exfoliating products that shed dead skin cells, which can be dull and flaky is one.  Another is skin-lightening products which help fade spots while skin toners can help even out skin color. 

·      Keep your hands youthful

Your hands often give away your age.  Each year that goes by, your hands will lose moisture, collagen, and fat during menopause.  Veins become more prominent and skin may take on a more wrinkled appearance.  To reduce the look of wrinkles, use moisturizer often.  When out in the sun, protect your hands by putting sunscreen on them or wearing gloves, especially when doing yardwork.

·      Keep eating plenty of antioxidants

Now, more than ever, you need to make every bite of food count.  Remember how the amount of collagen diminishes as estrogen levels drop?  If you want to retain that youthful plumpness and skin tightening effects collagen provides, eat foods rich in antioxidants.  Think of antioxidants as natural skin enhancers which make your skin more glowing than ever from the inside out.  Every day, eat a rainbow of brightly colored fruits and vegetables loaded with valuable antioxidants making your skin look its very best.

·      Keep stress at bay

Stress takes a toll on your skin.  It can make it drier, more sensitive, and can even trigger conditions such as psoriasis.  When under stress, you are more likely to skip your skin care routine only making things worse.  To beat back stress, each day practice stress-relieving techniques such as yoga or meditation.  We can’t eliminate all stress in life but we can choose how we deal with it.

·      Keep exercising

No one is ever too old to exercise.  Physical activity is a must for toning your muscles and that includes your skin.  The act of moving your body not only relieves stress but it also boosts circulation, which begins to slow down with age.  As the extra oxygen and blood flow travels throughout your body, your skin benefits by looking brighter and healthier. 

·      Keep getting beauty sleep

A good night’s sleep can do wonders mentally and physically.  And lack of it will show up on your skin.  Sufficient sleep can help prevent bags and dark circles under the eyes while helping your skin look fresh.  When lacking sleep, it can change your hormone levels and metabolism affecting not only your skin’s appearance but also your weight.  Aim to have between 7 to 9 hours every night.