Women, menopause, skin problems, solutions : A Guide
News & Trends •
it is essential to use an spf 30 sunscreen every day even when not spending a lot of time in the sun. while sunscreen cannot treat thinning skin it can prevent it from getting worse1 in this article we look at howestrogenandmenopauseaffect the skin and whether rashes are related to these hormonal changes1 stimulating the production of oil collagen and other substances involved in skin health1 promoting wound healing1 reducing inflammatory skin disorders during pregnancy or periods of high estrogen1 possibly protecting against mortality from melanoma and other skin cancers1 providing some protection against sun damage1 while decreasing estrogen levels do have an impact on a persons skin there are many other factors involved in skin health. these factors can include1 sun exposure or damage dehydration smoking fat redistribution genetics1 there is no evidence to suggest that menopause is linked to a specific type of rash. however as a woman approaches menopause the body becomes significantly more sensitive to changes in temperature particularly heat1 during and before menopause a woman may suddenly feel hot and sweaty causing her face to become flushed or red. these are known as hot flashes and they can be mild or severe enough to interfere with daily life1 decreased estrogen levels can cause the skin to become itchy sensitive or irritated. women may also notice that they are more sensitive to itchy fabrics soaps or beauty products. scratching at itchy skin can causehivesand rashes1 a woman who has a rash should consider switching to natural or fragrance-free products to reduce irritation andinflammation. if rashes become especially problematic she should see a dermatologist for further advice1 the decline in estrogen and other hormones can cause changes in a womans hair causing it to thin or fall out1 during menopause women may also notice that hair begins to grow on their face where it had not previously grown. this can include under the chin along the jawline or on the upper lip1 women have many options for dealing with unwanted facial hair. waxing and shaving are easy at-home options. a dermatologist can provide other options such as laser treatment or hair removal cream1 as estrogen levels fall it can cause the skin to get thinner and more delicate meaning it is more easily damaged. thinning skin can even lead to more frequent and noticeable bruising1 estrogen plays a vital role in keeping the skin young elastic and healthy. estrogen helps the skin by1 a woman should see her dermatologist if thin skin presents a serious problem with tearing or injury. the doctor may be able to suggest medical treatments that can help manage the problem1 in addition to thinning skin women in perimenopause or menopause are more likely to have issues with dry or flaky skin1 this is because estrogen helps the skin to hold on to water keeping it soft and moist. without estrogen the skin is prone to drying out1 to prevent dry skin people can use a gentler cleanser as traditional soaps can be particularly drying for older women. moisturizing right after showering or bathing is best1 people should avoid using exfoliants or other strong products because they can be particularly damaging to delicate or dry skin1 age spots are a common complaint of menopausal women. this is usually a sign of sun damage that has occurred throughout a womans lifetime1 wearing sunscreen consistently and from an early age is the best way to prevent age spots and skin cancer developing later in life1 some types of skin cancer can look like an age spot so it is essential to see a dermatologist regularly. the risk of skin cancer increases with age and sun exposure1 skin changes are a common complaint among women during or approaching menopause. while these issues are the result of normal hormonal changes there are a few things that women can do to help prevent them from happening or getting worse. simple steps include1 using moisturizer an oil-free moisturizer can help to keep skin thick and soft1 choose something gentle and free from perfumes or dyes to minimize the risk of irritation1 wearing sunscreen every day regular use of sunscreen can help prevent skin damage from sun exposure1 taking sun protection seriously in addition to wearing sunscreen wear hats sunglasses and other protective clothing to keep the skin covered up while exposed to the sun1 it is important for women to see a dermatologist every year. in addition to screening forcanceror other suspicious marks it is also a great opportunity to ask questions about problems or concerns about the skin1 while there is no evidence that menopause can cause a rash it is common for women to experience reddening and irritation of the skin during a hot flash. this is usually short-lived and will resolve once the hot flash goes away1 avoiding skin irritants applying sunscreen daily and seeing a dermatologist can help women manage or prevent some of the other skin conditions associated with menopause1 this article by nicole galan was culled from1