Are You Noticing Changes To Your Skin and Hair?
Expert Recommendations for a Menopause Makeover
Most women are aware that menopause is a natural part of aging that marks the end of their reproductive years. Medically defined, menopause is the time of a women’s life when she has gone through 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period. Typically, women experience physical symptoms of menopause between the ages of 45 and 55.
As hormone levels decline, women develop a range of symptoms that are well-known, including:
- Irregular periods
- Hot flashes
- Vaginal dryness
- Breast tenderness
- Urinary urgency
- Changes in sleeping
- Emotional or mood swings
While the aforementioned symptoms are often discussed, the changes to a women’s skin and hair during this period are also of concern.
How Your Skin and Hair Are Affected By Perimenopause and Menopause
Dr. Rebecca Baxt, a board-certified dermatologist located in Paramus, NJ, explains, “declining estrogen levels can cause significant changes to the skin, including increased dryness, wrinkles, loss of firmness and elasticity.” The degree of changes to the skin varies but all are due to reduced production of collagen and elastin. Dr. Baxt, notes that “peri-menopausal and menopausal women often see hair thinning and increased shedding.”
Hormone-related skin and hair changes are a growing concern of many women who desire aesthetic skin and hair rejuvenation procedures.
What Skin Enhancement Treatments are Available for Peri-Menopausal and Menopausal Women?
Dr. Rebecca Baxt recommends a variety of skin rejuvenation procedures and skincare products to help revitalize and renew a woman’s skin. The first step is to schedule and appoint with Dr. Baxt or a board-certified dermatologist to discuss your skin concerns. Dr. Baxt will conduct a thorough skin evaluation and recommend treatments that addresses the health of your skin and specific skin concerns.
What Can You Do?
1. Number one is to protect your skin! Be sure to apply sunscreen every day. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher. Using a good quality sunscreen can help prevent new age spots from forming and reduce your risk of getting skin cancer. The sun also degrades collagen, so sunscreen is extremely helpful to slow the loss of collagen.
2. During perimenopause and menopause, skin loses some ability to hold water, so skin can get extra dry. To help with dry,
flaky, and dull skin you can:
- Avoid scalding hot water…turn the temperature down!
- Wash with a mild cleanser. Avoid soap, especially a deodorant soap.
- Apply a good quality moisturizer after your shower and throughout the day if your skin feels dry. A lotion is the lightest version of a moisturizer. If lotion is not enough, try a cream, and if that is still not enough moisture, try an oil, such as coconut oil or an ointment, such as Vaseline or Aquaphor.
3. Schedule an appointment with a board-certified dermatologist. Skin wrinkles, loss of elasticity, slack skin, and jowls are more prominent during menopause as skin loses collagen. Studies document that there is about a 30% decline in collagen during the first five years of menopause.1 As collagen diminishes, there is a loss of skin firmness, and it and it begins to sag. There is an increase of folds, wrinkles, and lines that run from the tip of the nose to the corners of the mouth. Wrinkles that used to appear only with a smile or frown become noticeable. Dr. Baxt offers a variety of non-surgical procedures that can help with menopausal skin concerns, as follows:
- Address skin tightening without surgery. Using ultrasound energy, Ultherapy® works by stimulating collagen production to tighten skin on the neck, chest, and face. This minimally invasive skin therapy procedure effectively treats the deep layers of your tissue to tighten skin, reduce wrinkles, fine lines, and other signs of aging.
- Facial (dermal) fillers can increase facial volume and smooth out your facial wrinkles, folds, and laugh lines, or augment your cheeks and lips. The wide variety of facial fillers used and injected by Dr. Baxt are FDA-approved. Dr. Rebecca Baxt performs all facial filler injections at her Paramus, NJ Cosmetic and Medical Dermatology Practice, BAXT CosMedical®.
- Schedule a skin evaluation consultation with Dr. Baxt about SKINVIVE™, the first and only FDA-approved hyaluronic acid (HA) microdroplet injectable in the US to improve skin smoothness. This product increases hydration, thereby improving skin smoothness and providing a lasting glow for up to 6 months with optimal treatment.
- For overall improvements in your skin, a variety of laser/light medical devices can reduce skin aging from sun and environmental damage, and reduce redness, and hyperpigmentation. (Learn about Photofacial/Photorejuvenation, and Photodynamic Therapy/PDT, Fraxel®, and Clear + Brilliant®.) Dr. Rebecca Baxt performs all laser treatments.
- For simple aging skin care, Dr. Baxt recommends great sun protection daily with SPF 30 or above, plus hats and protective clothing. Remember to reapply sunblock every 1 to 2 hours. Retinols and glycolic acid, Vitamin C, and peptides can also help. Dr. Baxt can create an antiaging program tailored to your skin, lifestyle, and goals. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Rebecca Baxt, Board-Certified Dermatologist.
What Hair Restoration Treatments are Available for Perimenopausal and Menopausal Women?
During menopause, hair loss can affect up to 60% of women. The thinning and loss of hair is caused by hormonal changes, including the decline in estrogen levels. Some of the symptoms reported include:
- Increased hair loss
- Thinning of hair
- Increased hair breakage
- Scalp dryness and itching
To accurately diagnose hair loss and prescribe an effective treatment, a consultation with a board-certified dermatologist is required. Dr. Rebecca Baxt begins with an extensive health history to identify the potential causes of your specific hair loss problem. She will also examine your scalp and hair. An in-office scalp biopsy can be performed, if needed to pinpoint the exact nature of your hair loss condition.
If you are interested in learning more about a perimenopausal or menopausal makeover, schedule a personalized consultation with Dr. Rebecca Baxt, board-certified dermatologist at BAXT CosMedical® in Paramus, NJ.
More Helpful Skin Care Recommendations and Tips From Dr. Rebecca Baxt:
