October is Menopause Awareness Month: What happens to your skin and advice from Dr Christine to combat these issues.
- infoalcomms
- Oct 6
- 4 min read
October is Menopause Awareness Month: What happens to your skin - and how Dr Christine recommends you care for it.
Menopause marks a significant milestone in a woman's life, and one that often means profound hormonal, physical and emotional changes. October is Menopause Awareness Month, an ideal time to shine a light on what happens to your skin which is one of the most visible (and often overlooked) aspects of this transitional period.
Award-winning Aesthetic Doctor, Dr Christine Or, is passionate about helping women look and feel their best, giving them the confidence boost they deserve, particularly during more difficult times of their lives. In this blog, Dr Christine advises on the expected changes menopause brings to our skin, as well as effective, evidence-based solutions and treatments to restore the health of our complexion.
How Menopause Affects our Skin
During perimenopause and menopause, our estrogen levels begin to decline which can cause our skin to show significant changes including:
Loss of Collagen and Elasticity - estrogen helps maintain skin thickness and collagen production, so when levels decline, our skin can become thinner and more prone to wrinkles and sagging.
Dryness and Dehydration - Reduced estrogen means the skin is less able to retain moisture, so during menopause, women may notice that their skin looks and feels more dry and sensitive, especially on the face and neck.
Increased Sensitivity and Redness - hormonal shifts during menopause can sometimes trigger inflammation, increased sensitivity, and conditions like rosacea.
Acne and Breakouts - increased androgen levels during menopause can lead to acne flare-ups or breakouts, similar to teenage skin complaints.
Rough Patches and Dullness - during menopause our skin cell turnover slows down, so our complexion can appear dull and more tired looking.
Dr Christine's recommended skincare regime to combat the effects of Menopause on our Skin
Using the correct medical grade skincare products tailored for your skin and using them consistently is the key to healthy skin. Dr Christine's recommends the following at-home skincare regime to help combat skin concerns relating to menopause:
Gentle Cleansing - opt for a cleanser that is gentle and pH-balanced to avoid stripping or irritating the skin. Dr Christine often recommends OBAGI Nu-Derm Gentle Cleanser as it gently removes impurities and oil, leaving the skin looking and feeling clean and fresh.
Antioxidants - products containing Vitamins C and E defend against oxidative stress and brighten the complexion, ideal for dull and tired-looking skin.
Hydrate & Nourish - choose a ceramide-rich, hydrating moisturiser daily to replenish the skin barrier for a smoother and softer complexion.
Wear SPF Daily - even on cloudy days it is important to use a broad-spectrum SFP30 or higher as UV rays accelerate collagen loss.
Retinoids - incorporate retinoids gradually into your evening skincare routine as these help to promote collagen synthesis and improve the skin's texture and tone.
Dr Christine's recommended lifestyle tweaks to combat the effects of Menopause on our Skin
Our overall lifestyle, health and emotional wellbeing can play a huge part in how we deal with the symptoms of menopause; Dr Christine recommends these lifestyle tweaks for optimal skin health:
Nutrition - a diet that is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, leafy greens and vegetables, and antioxidant-rich fruits can help to nourish our skin from the inside out and reduce inflammation.
Hydration - drinking plenty of water throughout the day can help maintain skin plumpness and flush out toxins.
Sleep - a restful night's sleep is vital for skin repair and regeneration, so a relaxing night-time routine is beneficial to rest and recharge.
Stress Management - stress increases cortisol which can worsen inflammation and other skin conditions, so it is important to manage this and make time for self-care and reflection.
Dr Christine's recommended treatments to combat the effects of Menopause on our Skin
Dr Christine is a firm believer in a "whole face", holistic and personalised approach to managing skin concerns during menopause, and achieving brighter, healthier and more radiant looking skin. After an initial consultation, she will advise on the best course of action and treatment plan, which may include:
Chemical Peels
The Obagi Blue Peel Radiance contains a unique blend of salicylic, glycolic and lactic acids to provide a gentle but effective facial chemical peel, resulting in smoother, tighter, brighter-looking skin after just one treatment. It can be used to treat a range of skin concerns such as acne, photodamage and pigmentation, leading to improved texture and tone.
RF Microneedling
Radiofrequency Microneedling is an advanced treatment combining both medical microneedling and radiofrequency to rejuvenate the skin by stimulating the body’s natural healing process to encourage collagen production of the dermis resulting in anti-ageing and skin tightening. It can be used to treat loose and sagging skin, fine lines and wrinkles and dull, tired skin.
Profhilo and other Skin Boosters
Profhilo and other Skin Boosters deliver hyaluronic acid deep into the skin to improve elasticity, hydration and radiance from within. Profhilo is an award-winning injectable hyaluronic acid which is unique because it flows under the skin, so it distributes to all areas to deeply hydrate the skin. In addition, it also stimulates collagen production in the skin leading to further improvement in skin quality, elasticity and firmness. Skin will feel smoother and regain a natural glow.
Why Choose Dr Christine Medical Aesthetics?
Whilst menopause can at times feel overwhelming, with the right care, support and treatments, your skin can still look bright, healthy and glowing. Book your consultation with Dr Christine Or to discuss a tailored plan to help give you the confidence-boost you deserve.
