Skincare During Perimenopause
If you speak to any woman experiencing perimenopause, she is likely managing multiple symptoms typical in this season of life. Skin texture and appearance can feel like an uphill battle, and skin health is noticeably impacted during perimenopause. The other challenge with perimenopause is that skin can change throughout, and with some women in this stage for upwards of ten years, you can imagine the frustration that can occur when trying to find the best way to care for skin and keep it healthy and looking great.
Perimenopause Does Affect Skin
It isn’t a question of whether perimenopause will affect the skin, but more a question of how much and how often I will have to change my skincare routine to stay ahead of it. One of the best ways to prepare for perimenopause skin is to have skin in optimal health when this season begins, but before perimenopause, most women aren’t thinking about it until they are already in it.
If you are like most women who have not been proactive, you are now looking for ways to counter the effects and find ways to treat your skin to make it look healthy, which can make you feel good every day.
Estrogen Levels Fluctuate
As perimenopause comes, the fluctuation of estrogen levels will cause dryness and loss of collagen. These two changes can create wrinkles and sagging skin as elasticity is lost. Skin can become increasingly sensitive to things it may not have been reactive to in the past. A daily sunscreen lotion or makeup may suddenly cause a rash or reaction, leaving women looking for ways to function in their daily lives but needing to completely change products. Pigmentation and melasma are commonly something that appears, or reappears, due to hormonal changes. Unlike pregnancy, these dark spots are less likely to go away on their own as women move from peri- to full menopause. Topical treatments can be used, as well as some procedures performed by professional and licensed dermatologists.
As these are signs of perimenopause, and potentially the first signs of aging women experience, they may choose to begin using ingredients to counter the effects of aging, like hyaluronic acid, retinoids, and antioxidants. The key is to focus on hydrating skin, strengthening the skin’s barrier, and boosting collagen through products.
A professional dermatologist can work with women in perimenopause to identify the target areas and provide affordable solutions to improve the signs and symptoms that women and their concerned about.
Holistic Skincare Options
One option for women experiencing changes in their skin during perimenopause is a holistic approach. This approach is focused on diet changes, ensuring the body is sufficiently hydrated, managing stress, and using daily sunscreen to protect the skin during a vulnerable time. Anyone who has skipped daily sunscreen to this point simply can’t any longer. The skin’s elasticity and vulnerability in this stage will not yield favorable results for anyone.
The obvious things to avoid, which are supported by every dermatologist, are smoking, excessive alcohol use, and highly polluted areas. If you work or live in the Atlanta area, the amount of traffic and pollution in the city can damage and clog pores. Daily cleaning with a mild cleanser and moisturizer day and night is critical to any skincare routine. Exercise boosts circulation and mood, and the extra oxygen helps remove waste from skin cells. Getting enough sleep is another way to combat struggling skin. Sleep is when our body, and yes, our skin, rejuvenates. Not enough sleep can exacerbate signs of aging, darkening circles under the eyes, and a dull appearance.
Seeking Professional Advice for Skincare
As men and women age, they begin to see the benefit of working with a dermatologist. If a person had problems with their skin earlier in life, like acne or eczema, they may have even more prominent skin problems in perimenopause. Regular visits with a dermatologist can help manage skin concerns and symptoms caused by perimenopause. Some clients may choose chemical peels, facials, prescription retinoids, or laser therapy. Injection therapy is another route many choose, but usually after working with less invasive treatments first. Facials can offer a deep cleanse and high-quality product exfoliations that get rid of dead skin cells and leave new skin hydrated and clean. The best facials are ones done in a dermatology office by someone licensed. They can identify things about a person’s skin that someone untrained won’t catch and be able to address.
If you are serious about tackling skin concerns during perimenopause, contact an experienced dermatologist, like Dr. Sherrie Straughn. She has been working in Buckhead for decades and offers personal attention and first-hand understanding of what you are going through. She offers real, affordable solutions and understands everyone deserves to feel amazing in their skin, at all stages of life.