That Time Of Your Life: Handling Skin Problems During Menopause
Menopause can be an odd and disarming time in life for a woman; suddenly, your hormones are more all over the place than they were when you were a teenager, your hair seems to be a different texture, and you can't handle extreme temperatures – but the most noticeable physical difference during menopause often occurs on your skin. Because the health of your skin largely depends on the hormones in your body, and since the balance of hormones in your body is skewed during the two to ten years that your body takes to go through menopause, your skin can undergo dramatic changes in a short period of time. So if you're looking for tips on managing skin problems during menopause, then here's what you need to know.
Hair Where?
Most women don't have to deal with the constant growth of noticeable facial hair that men do; while, as mammals, humans have hair all over their bodies, on women, facial hair tends to be soft, short, and invisible to the naked eye. In menopause, however, as your levels of androgens (male hormones) tend to rise, you may see your facial hair start to thicken and darken, becoming more and more noticeable. To deal with this, simply pick the hair removal tool of your choice (waxing is generally the most common for unwanted facial hair) and start removing. Remember to tell your doctor about your new furry friends, as they can help adjust your orally administered hormones to hopefully stop the new hair in its tracks.
Wrinkles on Wrinkles
Menopause can age the skin, as supportive fat deposits are lost and the skin starts to sag and wrinkle, particularly on the neck, face, and hands (a woman's hands, rather than her neck or face, which can have plastic surgery performed on them rather easily and commonly, are generally the best indicator of her age). To combat these age-intensifying wrinkles, rely on a firming booster cosmetic product – there are many on the market – to smooth out your face and neck, and apply a collagen-boosting lotion or face mask to your face and neck regularly. Thick hand creams will help your hands keep their youthful vigor, as will wearing gloves to protect them if you're out in the extreme cold or live in a dry climate.
Oil Spills
Oil production usually increases on your skin during menopause. While this can seem like a godsend for dry-skinned ladies, it can seem to unleash a flood of unwanted moisture on the skin of those women already prone to oily skin. This is due to testosterone being more prominent in the body as estrogen levels drop; high testosterone levels (especially in tandem with high oil levels) are linked to more frequent and more serious acne outbreaks. To control these outbreaks, look for skin washes (water-based, rather than oil-based) meant to control the sebaceous glands located on either side of the bottom of your nose; slowing oil production there will help the amount of oil on your face to subside and will give your skin a chance to clear up.
For more information, contact local professionals like Jordan Valley Dermatology.