Supporting Skin Health Through Menopause

The Skin-Estrogen Connection in Menopause

Estrogen plays a crucial role in maintaining various aspects of skin health, including:

1. Collagen Production: Estrogen stimulates the production of collagen, the primary structural protein in the skin. As estrogen levels drop during menopause, collagen synthesis decreases, leading to loss of skin elasticity and the formation of wrinkles (1).
2. Skin Hydration: Estrogen helps regulate sebum production and maintain the skin's natural moisture barrier. Declining estrogen can result in increased dryness, roughness, and susceptibility to irritation (2).
3. Wound Healing: Estrogen promotes the proliferation of skin cells and accelerates the wound healing process. Lower estrogen can impair the skin's ability to repair itself (3).
4. Skin Thickness: Estrogen contributes to maintaining the thickness of the epidermis and dermis layers of the skin. Menopausal skin typically becomes thinner and more fragile (4).

Together, these estrogen-mediated changes create a perfect storm for skin aging, dryness, and various other complexion concerns during the menopausal transition.

Nourishing and Protecting Menopausal Skin

Fortunately, there are several evidence-based strategies that can help support and rejuvenate the skin throughout menopause:

Topical Skin Care

Incorporating specialized skin care products can help offset the effects of diminishing estrogen:

• Retinoids (e.g., retinol, tretinoin) to boost collagen production and cell turnover (5)
• Hyaluronic acid to deeply hydrate and plump the skin (6)
• Antioxidants like vitamin C to protect against oxidative damage (7)
• Ceramides and other lipids to strengthen the skin's moisture barrier (8)

Oral Supplements

Certain nutrient-rich supplements may also benefit menopausal skin from the inside out:

• Collagen peptides to support structural proteins (9)
• Omega-3 fatty acids to reduce inflammation (10)
• Antioxidants like vitamins C, E, and carotenoids (11)

Red Light Therapy

Exposure to specific wavelengths of red and near-infrared light has been shown to have beneficial effects on skin health during menopause:

• Stimulates collagen production and improves skin elasticity (12)
• Reduces inflammation and enhances wound healing (13)
• Increases blood flow and improves skin hydration (14)

Lifestyle Factors

Adopting healthy lifestyle habits can further enhance skin health during menopause:

• Staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water
• Protecting skin from sun exposure with broad-spectrum SPF
• Managing stress through relaxation techniques
• Engaging in regular physical activity

By implementing a comprehensive approach of targeted skin care, supplementation, red light therapy, and lifestyle modifications, menopausal women can help maintain a vibrant, youthful-looking complexion. However, if skin concerns persist or worsen, it's important to consult with a healthcare professional for personalized guidance.

Looking for an individualized menopause health plan? Let's Chat.

References:

1. Brincat, M., Moniz, C. F., Studd, J. W., Darby, A., Magos, A., & Cooper, D. (1983). Sex hormones and skin collagen content in postmenopausal women. Br Med J (Clin Res Ed), 287(6402), 1337-1338.
2. Thornton, M. J. (2002). The biological actions of estrogens on skin. Experimental dermatology, 11(6), 487-502.
3. Ashcroft, G. S., Dodsworth, J., van Boxtel, E., Tarnuzzer, R. W., Horan, M. A., Schultz, G. S., & Ferguson, M. W. (1997). Estrogen accelerates cutaneous wound healing associated with an increase in TGF-β1 levels. Nature medicine, 3(11), 1209-1215.
4. Farage, M. A., Miller, K. W., Elsner, P., & Maibach, H. I. (2008). Intrinsic and extrinsic factors in skin ageing: a review. International journal of cosmetic science, 30(2), 87-95.
5. Kafi, R., Kwak, H. S. R., Schumacher, W. E., Cho, S., Hanft, V. N., Hamilton, T. A., ... & Voorhees, J. J. (2007). Improvement of naturally aged skin with vitamin A (retinol). Archives of dermatology, 143(5), 606-612.
6. Papakonstantinou, E., Roth, M., & Karakiulakis, G. (2012). Hyaluronic acid: A key molecule in skin aging. Dermatoendocrinol, 4(3), 253-258.
7. Fernández-García, E. (2014). Skin protection against UV light by dietary antioxidants. Food & function, 5(9), 1994-2003.
8. Meckfessel, M. H., & Brandt, S. (2014). The structure, function, and importance of ceramides in skin and their use as therapeutic agents in skin-care products. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 71(1), 177-184.
9. Proksch, E., Schunck, M., Zague, V., Segger, D., Degwert, J., & Oesser, S. (2014). Oral intake of specific bioactive collagen peptides reduces skin wrinkles and increases dermal matrix synthesis. Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 27(3), 113-119.
10. Jewell, C., Rea, C., Brien, N. M., & Gibney, M. J. (2017). Effect of supplementation with primary and secondary sources of antioxidants and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on markers of oxidative stress and inflammation. European journal of clinical nutrition, 71(6), 781-787.
11. Cosgrove, M. C., Franco, O. H., Granger, S. P., Murray, P. G., & Mayes, A. E. (2007). Dietary nutrient intakes and skin-aging appearance among middle-aged American women. The American journal of clinical nutrition, 86(4), 1225-1231.
12. Wunsch, A., & Matuschka, K. (2014). A controlled trial to determine the efficacy of red and near-infrared light treatment in patient satisfaction, reduction of fine lines, wrinkles, skin roughness, and intradermal collagen density increase. Photomedicine and laser surgery, 32(2), 93-100.
13. Avci, P., Gupta, A., Sadasivam, M., Vecchio, D., Pam, Z., Pam, N., & Hamblin, M. R. (2013). Low-level laser (light) therapy (LLLT) in skin: stimulating, healing, restoring. Seminars in cutaneous medicine and surgery, 32(1), 41.
14. Barolet, D., Christiaens, F., & Hamblin, M. R. (2016). Infrared and skin: Friend or foe. Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology, 155, 78-85.

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