Imagine it is 12 midnight. A torrent of 'Happy Birthday' calls and messages starts flooding in. As you turn 40, the world takes turns to wish you. Those amazing alliterations start coming in. 'Fab @ 40', 'Fantastic @ 40', 'Fantabulous @ 40', the compliment list grows.
But somehow, somewhere deep within, you may not really feel 'Fab @ 40'.
More to the point, your skin may not really feel 'Fab @ 40'. Your skin may not be in a celebratory mood.
Because menopause is that phase of life when your hormones are on a roller-coaster ride, and your skin bears the brunt of it. Estrogen, the hormone, falls drastically during menopause, robbing your skin of its glow. This is also the time when your body stops making enough collagen, and the elasticity of your skin starts suffering.
In sum, 40 is the age when all of this could really start getting under your skin.
Are you among the 64%?
Statistics reveal that around 64% of menopausal women have low estrogen levels after 40. This can affect the structure and function of the skin. Asian women are more prone to skin damage and wrinkles.
Women loose about 30% of collagen during the initial five years of menopause. After that, the decline becomes gradual. This decline is the culprit behind your sagging skin. Wrinkles that would appear only with a smile, start showing up all the time.
Now that you know what to expect, there are steps that you can adopt preemptively to tackle this problem and manage menopausal skincare. Here are some ways to get back that glowing skin, if you attend to specific skin care needs:
Clean it up
Cleansing is an important step, especially as you get older. As your skin gets drier with age, you can benefit by using the right cleanser that not only hydrates but also moisturizes your skin. You can opt for a creamy formula instead of using gel-based cleansers that usually strip the moisture away.
Hydration is the key
Your skin can get drier post-menopause, as your oil glands do not remain as active as they were. Using a moisture-based cream can boost hydration. Consider applying the cream on moist skin, like after a bath, for maximum benefit. Avoid long hot showers as far as possible.
Fight the spots
Age spots on the face, hands, and neck can get more pronounced during menopause.
Make sure to apply sunscreen daily to resolve this problem. You can also exfoliate your skin by choosing products that remove dead skin cells. You can opt for skin lightening products that help fade age spots.
Make SPF your skin buddy
As you age, your skin has a higher tendency to get damaged. Choose a broad-spectrum SPF of 30 or higher and apply it every day before you step out face the hot and humid and hot weather of Singapore.
Keep wrinkles at bay
You get wrinkles with too much exposure to the sun and hormonal changes during menopause. This can become more pronounced as your skin gets dry due to aging.
Choose a moisturizer for your face, jaw, and neck that can help fight fine lines and sagging skin. This can make your skin look brighter.
Choose the right herbal supplements
Get that glow with Aloe
Add dietary Aloe vera supplement to improve facial wrinkles, facial elasticity, and skin roughness.
Use that powerhouse of antioxidants
Micronutrients like vitamin C and E can help fight wrinkles and skin aging. Indulge in a diet rich in vitamin C, vitamin E, and antioxidants to reduce depth of facial wrinkles and increase deposition of new collagen fibers in skin.
Remember, taking care of yourself during menopause while adopting these simple tips can go a long way in managing skin aging and maintaining that glow.
Making you and skin really feel 'Fab @ 40'. Pop the bubbly, lady!
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References:
- Thornton MJ. Estrogens and aging skin. Dermatoendocrinol. 2013;5(2):264-70.
- Kamp E, et al. Menopause, skin and common dermatoses. Part 2: skin disorders. Clin Exp Dermatol. 2022;47(12):2117-2122.
- Park S, et al. Menopause, ultraviolet exposure, and low water intake potentially interact with the genetic variants related to collagen metabolism involved in skin wrinkle risk in middle-aged women. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021;18(4):2044.
- Cho S, et al. Dietary aloe vera supplementation improves facial wrinkles and elasticity and it increases the type I procollagen gene expression in human skin in vivo. Ann Dermatol. 2009;21(1):6-11.
- Jenkins G, et al. Wrinkle reduction in post-menopausal women consuming a novel oral supplement: a double-blind placebo-controlled randomized study. Int J Cosmet Sci. 2014;36(1):22-31.