October is recognised as Menopause Awareness Month with World Menopause Day being held every year on the 18th of October. Menopause and the symptoms associated with this transition in a woman’s life, and the time leading up to it, known as perimenopause, are subjects that have recently been getting more media coverage. As society begins to talk more freely about these concerns it is leading to a better understanding of how women are impacted by these changes. That’s why it is important that we recognise Menopause Awareness Month and World Menopause Day, and offer support to the women in our lives as they make this transition.
Every woman experiences menopause differently and this can make it difficult for doctors and menopause experts to be able to pinpoint exactly what is causing women’s symptoms. Women need dedicated professionals who can take the time to talk through their issues and offer individualised advice to get to the route of their concerns.
At Aesthetic Health we take a unique approach to women’s health. Our treatment prescriptions are personalised and individualised, focussing on the perspective of the whole woman, from the inside out; taking both physiology and lifestyle into account.
There are many symptoms that women may experience as a result of perimenopause and the menopause. At Aesthetic Health in Leeds we take the time to listen and work with women to identify and help to treat their health issues. We do this with an emphasis on both hormonal and skin changes that women may experience, and by combining our science led medical backgrounds with a holistic approach.
How menopause affects the skin
Menopause is a natural phase in every woman’s life and it brings with it a cascade of hormonal shifts, most notably a drop in oestrogen.
While this might be the perfect time to say goodbye to monthly periods, your skin and other collagen-rich tissues may be saying hello to new challenges.
Oestrogen plays a key role in maintaining collagen, the protein responsible for keeping your skin firm, plump, and youthful. As oestrogen levels decline, so does the production of collagen, and this can result in noticeable changes in your skin’s appearance. In the first five years of the menopause, we lose a staggering 30% of the collagen structure of our dermis.
Collagen-rich tissues, such as the skin, hair, and even joints, begin to noticeably lose their elasticity and firmness. This leads to dryness, thinning, sagging, and the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles in the skin, and stiffness of joints and ligaments.
How can we preserve collagen throughout the menopause?
The first step to managing collagen loss is through lifestyle changes that boost skin health from the inside out.
Eating a diet rich in collagen-building nutrients can make a big difference. Foods high in vitamin C, such as citrus fruits, berries, and leafy greens, are key because they help the body produce collagen.
Antioxidants found in nuts, seeds, and dark chocolate (yes, chocolate!) fight off skin-damaging free radicals. Meanwhile, protein-rich foods like fish, eggs, and legumes provide the amino acids needed for collagen production.
Hydration is equally essential, as menopause tends to dry out the skin. Drinking plenty of water and adding foods with high water content, like cucumber, can help keep the skin supple.
How to improve your skin during menopause
In addition to diet, there are regenerative treatments that can help slow down the degeneration of collagen-rich tissues. Popular options at Aesthetic Health in Leeds include energy-based devices such as Ultherapy and Secret RF to boost collagen from the dermis through multiple deeper tissue layers.
Customised laser treatments are also helpful in stimulating repair to improve texture and reduce the redness or rosacea that can sometimes accompany menopause.
Regenerative and hydrating injectable treatments such as polynucleotides can be utilised to stimulate the skin’s natural repair process, boosting collagen, elastin, hyaluronic acid and microcirculation, to bring back the luminous glow of healthy skin.
At Aesthetic Health we create customised cocktails to serve individual needs that may include Skin Boosters, Polynucleotides, Platelet Rich Plasma, and Radiesse.
Topical treatments with ingredients like retinoids, Vitamin C, peptides, and hyaluronic acid can also help replenish collagen and keep the skin moisturised.
Bio-identical Hormone Replacement
Many women are seeking out private menopause clinics to help alleviate their perimenopause and menopause symptoms . Private clinics like Aesthetic Health can offer personalised and holistic advice to help women through this transitional stage of their lives.
At Aesthetic Health we can provide advice regarding traditional or Bio-identical hormone replacement to help rebalance your hormonal landscape.
Is there a way to prevent menopause symptoms?
At Aesthetic Health we encourage prevention as the best strategy to future proof your skin from the ageing effects of the menopause. Our patients and AH Members are taken through a skin management program, which is a journey to actively build collagen stores, and preserve tissue health through menopause and beyond.
Menopause may change how your body works, but with the right lifestyle, nutrition, and a little help from regenerative treatments, you can still maintain healthy, glowing skin. It’s all about giving your collagen the care it deserves, and prevention is always best!
