Like it or not, aging can cause a variety of changes to your body. The health and appearance of your skin is one of the most important things to focus on as you age. This is especially true after menopause, when a lack of youthful hormones can cause such unspeakable skin afflictions as atrophic withering, slackness, wrinkling, and progressive dryness and scaliness.
Postmenopausal skin can also become increasingly fragile, making it prone to bruising and tearing. Add to that the potential years of sun damage and intrinsic aging, and you have a long list of reasons why proper skin care is all the more important as we get older. Let’s take a look at why this is, and exactly what you can do to help keep yourself glowing with youthful energy.
Why Does Our Skin Change After Menopause?
Okay, so you understand that aging definitely takes a toll on skin, but why is that exactly? And furthermore, why is there such a particular drop in skin quality following menopause? Well, it turns out that there is actually a number of both chemical and biological reasons.
- Reason 1: Decreased Skin Cell Renewal
As we age, the top layer of skin, known as the epidermis, begins to flatten and thin. As a result, the skin cells of this layer have trouble renewing themselves as rapidly as they once did. This means that damaged skin can not heal itself at the same speed that it could in its younger years. Additionally, this epidermal cell layer becomes drier after menopause, resulting in scaly and rough skin. - Reason 2: Reduction in Collagen
Collagen is the main structural protein throughout most parts of the body including the skin. In the first five years after menopause, the second layer of skin (known as the dermis) loses 30% of its collagen. This affects the “tightness” of your skin as well as its ability to hold a firm shape. - Reason 3: Water Abatement
Also in the skin’s second layer, important water-binding chemicals called dermal glycosaminoglycans are decreased, resulting in postmenopausal retaining of water and giving your skin a gellatinous appearance. - Reason 4: Oxidative Stress
Oxidative damage to your skin greatly accelerates following menopause. This causes greater damage to skin structures like cells, collagen, and elastin that is beyond the normal amount caused by sun damage or natural aging.
Change Up Your Skin Care Routine to Keep Up After Menopause
So now that you understand exactly what menopause-associated processes are and how they can contribute to excessive skin aging, you’re probably wondering what you can do to stay ahead of the game. Below are a few suggestions for how you can change up your usual skin care routine to help lessen the effects of menopause on your skin’s look, feel, and overall health.
- Build Up Collagen Levels, Hyaluronic Acid Levels, and Cell Structure in Your Skin
This is a particularly important step towards your goal of taught, bouncy skin. Be sure to look for products that contain professional formulations of retinoids like retinol, prescription tretinoin (a.k.a. Retin A), and high amounts of Vitamin C. Increased levels of hyaluronic acid (a healing agent), such as those found in glycolic acid products, can also help to build your skin’s strength. - Rejuvenate Your Skin’s Outermost Stratum Corneum Layer
Rebuilding the appearance of outer skin cells will brighten your skin and give you a more youthful “glowing” appearance. Using products that contain glycolic acid, retinoids, and BHAs like salicylic acid will go a long way in this regard. - Hydrate Skin and Avoid Drying Products or Excessive Sun Exposure
As discussed earlier, postmenopausal skin is particularly prone to dryness. Because of this, you should use only sensitive skin cleansers and deeply hydrating moisturizers. In addition, never forget to apply professional antioxidant products and broad spectrum sunscreen if you plan to be out in the sun for extended periods of time.
What Else Can I Do to Ensure Proper Skin Health Following Menopause?
We’re glad you asked! As a women entering the later stages of life, keeping up on an extensive skin care routine can be a real challenge. Especially as new information and products are continuously released. Quite frankly, it can be a lot to handle.
Another postmenopausal option that you can explore when it comes to skin care and overall youthful appearance is natural hormone replacement therapy. At Renewed Vitality, we offer safe, effective hormone imbalance treatment options for both women and men at all stages of life. To get more information about hormone therapy methods, don’t hesitate to contact the experts at Renewed Vitality today!
