For some women, the stages of menopause can feel like a Cat 5 Hurricane inside your body and mind. There are so many pieces to the puzzle of menopause but I am going to talk about the effects menopause has on your skin and what you can do before, during and after the Storm.
It is said that menopause is a season of transition within the female body. I’d say it’s a season of treason within the female body! But let me be fair and start with a few of the perks. First and foremost is no longer having the monthly. Ok, I was kidding, that is the only perk. I’ll grant you it’s definitely a significant one but what’s the tradeoff? Common and known menopause symptoms include hot flashes, forgetfulness, fatigue, weight gain, moodiness, and a decreased sex drive. Less known effects include how menopause changes our skin from head to toe.
The calm before the storm.
Perimenopause is the beginning of hormonal shifts most women in their 40s, some in their 30’s, will experience. As we age, so do our ovaries. Fewer hormones are released which upsets the balance of estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone and can lead to a variety of unwelcome changes in your skin. These changes can range from acne, that’s reminiscent of our teen years to wrinkles that seem to have appeared overnight. As estrogen production slows so does collagen production which means your skin becomes thinner and eventually begins to sag. During the perimenopause season some start experiencing hot flashes and may find their skin gets red. Some women will even develop rosacea at this point. Estrogen is also responsible for stimulating oils in our skin so as the production of this powerhouse hormone decreases, dry and itchy skin becomes an uncomfortable reality.
What you can do to age gracefully.
If you have not practiced a skin care regiment up until now, it is time to start. If you have, then consider turning it up a notch. At Re3 Healing Aesthetics and Wellness in Sarasota Fl we can assist in starting you on your own perimenopausal skin care regiment. Consider it a prudent measure to forestall the inevitable changes your skin will begin to exhibit as you enter into menopause.
The best way to start a new skincare regiment is by having a consultation and basic facial with a skin care professional. At this time, a skin analysis will be done to determine your skin type, skin condition, and the best course of treatment, both during your facial and with home products. Adjustments to your current regiment will be suggested to align with any changes you may be noticing with your skin.
My priority as an aesthetician is to select the appropriate treatments and products that will produce a beneficial outcome for my patients. The first thing I ask during a consultation is, “When you look in the mirror everyday, what bothers you the most about your skin?” Often, their response does not correspond with my initial observation of their skin. This in no way means I do not address their concerns. It simply means, as a professional I see underlying issues they may not. Inevitably, the issues I focus on at first sight lend way to their own concerns thereupon a treatment plan is all inclusive.
Listed below is a basic skin care regiment everyone should be doing.
Cleanse your skin. This is an important skin care step — especially as you age. The key is using a cleanser which best suits the current state of your skin. Your skin care professional will guide you appropriately.
Exfoliate dead skin away to reveal brighter more youthful looking skin. There are varying options for this step in your regiment and it is best left up to a professional to advise you which exfoliating process (scrubs, chemical peels, Retin A, or manual exfoliation) is best suited for your skin and how often.
Treatment: Serums, serums, serums!!! Feed your skin what it needs to advance towards correction and begin the season of prevention. I refer to serums as correctives because they are packed with power and work at the cellular level to effect positive visible changes to your skin.
Hydrate hydrate, hydrate!!! Moisturize immediately after serums to lock in all the goodness and to hydrate the very surface of your skin.
Protect with SPF for daytime. Even though skin cancer and wrinkling are caused by the amount of sun exposure from your younger years, you still need to protect your skin into your 40’s, 50’s and beyond. Skin may have less natural protection than when you were younger. So, look for a broad-spectrum SPF of 30 or higher, and wear it every day.
Starting this pre-season routine for your skin is an effective way to maintain youthful healthy skin as the changes get underway. If you would like to schedule a skincare consultation please call Re3 Healing Aesthetics and Wellness in Sarasota Fl. at 941-667-5431. We look forward to helping you weather your storm!