By stufflovely
No matter how amazing your attitude is about menopause, the symptoms are real. And real annoying. But first, the technicalities: To be menopausal, you need to miss your period for a full year in the absence of other causes. The average age is 51, but the years before menopause are where the action begins. This is where the super-fun symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, and irregular periods, come into play, as they’re all signs that your ovaries are sputtering out less estrogen.
Speaking of estrogen: It’s pretty much everything. Not only does the hormone fuel all things, but it also supports healthy skin cell functioning. So when estrogen levels plummet during menopause, “skin can’t protect itself, maintain hydration, or produce strong collagen the way it once could,” Joshua Zeichner, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City, previously told Allure.
That loss of hydration and lack of collagen production can make a noticeable difference in skin’s appearance. Ronald Moy, a board-certified dermatologist in California, says the signs of menopause’s effects on skin can be quite distinct. “Once the hormones start to decrease is when the skin becomes thinner, develops more wrinkles, and becomes saggy,” he says, noting that he often sees patients who complain of bags under the eyes and sagging neck skin.
New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Dendy Engelman concurs, explaining that areas of thinning skin and where there’s more frequent movement tend to see the effects of menopause first and most. “The jawline and lower face tend to show sagging first due to facial fat pad migration and the effects of collagen loss and gravity over time.”
Luckily, there are products on the market specifically designed to help the skin stay strong and supple, as well as ones that help to repair a depleted skin barrier. Ahead, find the expert-recommended products and tools that aim to make the menopausal experience — and how it affects the skin — a more comfortable process.
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