Menopause and summer
Summer is here and it's time for us all to enjoy it. But women who have reached menopause should know certain premises about what happens to their skin during this period of life.
What happens to your skin during menopause?
We know that the concentration of female sex hormones decreases during this stage and that this affects our skin.
As a result, skin may become dehydrated more easily and dry out more, with possible episodes of xerosis or eczema associated with itching or localised irritation.
It also becomes more flaccid because of the reduction in skin thickness. The reason is simple - the skin of a menopausal woman produces a smaller amount of collagen for two reasons: the effect of increasing age and the hormonal process directly implicit. This means that the extracellular matrix which supports the skin is less consistent and affords less protection. The result is a rise in skin sensitivity due to lack of defence and firmness. We can see first-hand more capillaries and venous dilation in menopausal skin which may be the outcome of the appearance of varicose veins.
Furthermore, hormonal changes may lead to the appearance of acne lesions which can evolve into rosacea or cause excess hair growth. Finally, we can see a greater tendency towards the multiplication of age spots.
And... in the summer?
Menopause directly affects the skin by making it more sensitive, reducing its consistency and therefore making it weaker. Plus, you must consider that skin is more sensitive to critical factors like the sun at this time of year.
UV radiation oxidises our skin. This factor is important to consider in healthy skin, so imagine how much more so it is for more sensitive, finer skin. That's why women with early menopause have to consider it and protect themselves properly, because they undergo faster skin aging. Menopausal women need to take more precautions than usual over summer.
The Spanish Association for the Study of Menopause recommends women at this life stage limit their exposure to the sun, apply suitable sunscreen, keep their skin hydrated using nourishing emollients and drink more water to prevent acceleration of the aging process.
What to bear in mind
Reduced oestrogen causes a number of important changes in your skin, particularly in summer:
- Decrease in collagen synthesis: collagen production falls after the age of 45-50, and even more during menopause.
- Loss of lipids: the sebaceous glands produce a smaller amount of sebum, but concentration can fluctuate during the summer and there can be sharp peaks that lead to acne episodes.
- Tendency of skin to dehydrate: high temperatures can contribute to the skin not being able to capture the water it needs because menopausal skin has a lower capacity to absorb liquid.
What do we recommend?
- Take special precautions before spending time in the sun: use a sunscreen that cares for and hydrates your skin.
- Keep moisturising your skin: the summer and menopause are factors that are amplified to reduce skin hydration. Use a moisturising emollient with abundant nutrients, such as serums or flash ampoules, to give your skin the care it needs.
- Firm up your skin: it is essential to provide it with more vitamins (A, C and E), collagen and hyaluronic acid. This will deliver enhanced synthesis of the extracellular matrix that structures and forms the basis of your skin to prevent sagging and wrinkles.
