Periods can be a blessing and a curse both. While they do reassure us of our body functioning right,
they also bring days of pain and agony along with them. The fact is that even menopause does not
bring the relief we expect it to - it comes with its own baggage.
How do you know you have hit menopause?
Hot flushes, body aches, night sweats, itching sensations, mood swings, dry skin, thinning of hair,
vaginal dryness and discomfort with sexual intercourse are a few signs of menopause. Most women
hit menopause between the age of 45 and 55. Some women tend to have a premature menopause
wherein their menopause occurs before 45. One of the biggest ways of identifying menopause is no
menstruation for about 12 months at a stretch.
Signs of change
Menopause tends to change your skin a lot. As your body adapts to the hormonal changes, it makes
less collagen which reduces your skin’s elasticity. Collagen is a type of protein that strengthens your
skin and is responsible for its elasticity and hydration. It is found in skin, muscles, tendons, bones
and ligaments.
Around the age of 30, your body starts producing less and less collagen which results in thinner,
drier and less elasticity of your skin. It further leads to your skin becoming saggy, paving way to signs
of ageing like fine lines and wrinkles over time.
Hormonal acne is also a major sign of change, which usually occurs because of the overproduction of
sebum that clogs skin pores. Careful usage of skincare products that won’t clog your skin pores is a
must to follow.
How to take care of your skin after menopause
1. Cleansing- Cleansing your skin and keeping it free of dirt and oil is the first step to healthy glowing skin. In this step, using a clear moisture-locking paraben free face wash is a good way to treat your skin. Make sure to use products that don’t strip natural oils off your face.
2. Exfoliation - Use a suitable scrub that takes off blackheads and exfoliates your skin at least once a week to ensure removal of dead skin cells. You may introduce chemical exfoliants like AHA, BHA, PHA to your skincare routine. It is recommended to start with chemical exfoliants once in a fortnight.
3. Use of Facial serums and supplements- It is necessary to give a boost to your skin’s collagen levels from time to time. Taking collagen supplements is a recommended method of boosting collagen. Moreover, collagen-boosting products usually have a strong presence of Vitamin C in them. Vitamin C can naturally be found in citrus fruits, strawberries, broccoli, green or red peppers. Other ways to replenish Vitamin C includes taking supplements and adding Vit- C to your skincare. Retinoids reduce fine lines and wrinkles by increasing the production of collagen. They also stimulate the production of new blood vessels in the skin, which improves skin color. Additional benefits include fading age spots and softening rough patches of skin.
4. Hydration and moisturization- Hydrating your skin, especially post menopause is essential as your skin needs that extra replenishment externally. Water sleeping masks or gel-based formulas with hyaluronic acid as the main ingredient. It acts as a lubricating factor in the joints and other tissues and works wonders in making your skin supple and bouncy overnight! Don’t forget to moisturize your skin with a good moisturizer that helps add moisture back into your skin and gives it the nourishment it needs.
5. Sun protection- With the heavy and harmful Ultraviolet rays, you must use sunscreen everyday before stepping out to ensure sunblock. This helps prevent skin cancer or tanning. There are various water-based sunscreens available too that are preferable for oily skin types. It is recommended to reapply sunscreen after every 2-3 hours.
6. Increase intake of water and antioxidants- Flush out toxins by drinking appropriate amounts of water to keep yourself hydrated from within. Eating antioxidant rich food can help build plumpness and elasticity of your skin as they influence the collagen level in your body.
With inputs from Naina Ruhail, Co-CEO and Founder of Vanity Wagon.
