Menopause comes with a number of changes, but did you know that women’s skin loses about 30% of its collagen during the first five years of ‘The Change’[i]? After that, the decline is more gradual, with a loss of about 2% every year for the next 20 years[ii].
As collagen levels decrease, the skin loses firmness and begins to sag, while wrinkles and fine lines start to form and hair becomes more brittle.
It’s no surprise then that the beauty industry bombards menopausal women with an array of skincare solutions to fight the signs of ageing. While some products do have their merits, there are those which merely perpetuate the myths that have come about due to menopause symptoms not being spoken about.
Unless women have an understanding of how menopause leads to skin changes, they will keep falling for empty promises. Below, I bust some menopausal skincare myths many women still believe in. I also share solutions to those that are grounded in science.
Busting Menopausal Skin Myths
Myth #1: Menopause affects everyone’s skin the same way
It’s easy for those who haven’t gone through menopause yet to assume that they’ll have similar skin problems to other women. While the most common complaint is dry skin, some might struggle with oily skin that can lead to teenage-like acne. Genetics and medical history mean that not every woman does not experience menopause in the same way, so your skincare needs will vary too.
However, this should start with putting collagen back into the body using supplements, especially fish collagen which has been proven to improve the skin’s moisture retention, provide increased suppleness and prevent deep wrinkle formation.
Myth #2: The right shampoo can fix menopausal hair loss
Menopausal hair loss reportedly occurs in more than 40% of cases due to changing hormone levels. Yes, some shampoos might leave your hair feeling thicker. However, this is only because they contain ingredients that temporarily swell the hair shaft. Unfortunately, most shampoos aren’t formulated to revive your hair follicles or to regrow your hair.
You can see a dermatologist who can advise you on the best course of action. Additionally, taking supplements that contain hydrolyzed gelatin can also be beneficial for increasing hair growth.
Myth #3: There’s nothing I can do about pigmentation
Hormonal fluctuations can cause the skin to go darker in some places, which is referred to as melasma (pigmentation). It can gradually worsen over time, spreading across or darkening the skin.
Treating pigmentation includes:
- consistent sun protection
- using topical serums with a high concentration of vitamin C
- ingesting supplements that contain ingredients such as Sakura Flower Extract. This ingredient has been scientifically shown to reduce pigmentation and lighten skin tone
Myth 4: Menopausal sleep problems have nothing to do with skin
On average, around 12% of women experience sleep complaints, but as they enter their late 40s and early 50s, that number increases dramatically to 40%, with women reporting the most sleep problems during perimenopause to post-menopause[iii]. These are usually caused by hot flashes, sleep disorders that may develop during menopause such as restless leg syndrome, and even mood. So, what does this have to do with skincare? Everything!
Photo by Dominic Sansotta on Unsplash
That’s because sleep deprivation may affect the production of collagen. A good night’s sleep is also essential for brain function and chemistry. This, in turn, would help one mentally cope with these changes that are starting.
There are a number of ways to go about getting sufficient sleep. This can include taking natural supplements to alleviate some of these symptoms. You can also avoid caffeine in the late afternoon and early evening, as well as develop a bedtime routine that cools and calms you.
Myth 5: Menopausal skincare products are only useful for menopausal skin
As the old adage goes, prevention is better than cure. The same applies to using menopausal products when you’re younger. This is especially true when it comes to collagen supplementation, seeing that our collagen levels decline by 1% every year from the time we’re in our 20s[iv].
Bottom line
Menopause is often dubbed “The Change of Life”. This is because there are just so many changes affecting women’s bodies, not to mention their lives. Today’s women need to be better supported in managing these, so they can not only age better but beautifully too.
Who is the author?
Toni Carroll
Toni Carroll is the CEO and founder of the luxury nutricosmetic brand, My Beauty Luv.
Back in 2014, she started one of the very first online professional haircare stores in South Africa. The store, ‘Hair Today Hair Tomorrow’, was started with the aim of providing quality, professional-grade products to the growing online shopping community.
After a few years of bringing salon-quality brands to the public, Toni recognized a gap in the market: the need for a holistic approach to hair health. With this in mind, she began introducing ingestible health products to her platform. This was the catalyst for her journey into researching the ingredients contained within beauty products, which ultimately led to Carroll’s foray into biohacking. This has been dubbed do-it-yourself biology and is geared towards improving performance, health, and well-being through strategic interventions.
Fast-forward to 2022 where today, under the My Beauty Luv brand, Carroll produces a range of professional-grade beauty supplements that target the most sought-after areas of wellness: anti-aging, longevity, and vitality.
“I believe that, despite the myriad of external factors influencing the way we look and feel, what we can control is what we put into our bodies and the answer lies in nature.”
References
[i] https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-secrets/anti-aging/skin-care-during-menopause
[ii] https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-secrets/anti-aging/skin-care-during-menopause
[iii] https://www.sleepfoundation.org/women-sleep/menopause-and-sleep
[iv] https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-does-skin-wrinkle-wit/
