In the simplest terms, menopause is a natural bodily process in which a woman ceases her period of fertility and her ovaries no longer secrete estrogen. Culturally, menopause is not viewed as a particularly desirable process for a woman to go through. Hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and discomfort are all associated with the process of menopause.
Let’s get one thing straight – at HelloBiome, we don’t believe menopause is anything more than a natural process of being alive and being a woman. We aim to understand all bodies at every stage. Menopause is a very important stage of life, and it changes the way your body works and affects your skin and its microbiome; read on to learn how.
The microbiome’s relationship with skin aging
A recent study was conducted to discover the link between your skin’s microbial makeup and aging. Scientists studied cheek swabs of various particpants of differing ages, but had similar skin types. Scientists discovered that bacterial pathways linked to skin aging were related to the production of ceramides, which are lipids that compose the natural skin barrier, as well as fatty acids and pigmentation. The researchers also determined that bacterial enzymes involved in protein glycation were associated with skin aging.
Protein glycation in the skin occurs when sugars link to proteins, such as collagen and elastin. An accumulation of glycated collagen and elastin end products can result in sagging and a loss of skin elasticity. This study barely scratched the surface of the microbiome and the role it plays in aging, but is a fabulous step towards decoding our skin barrier.
Testing your microbiome is a unique and surefire way to understand the state of your skin’s health. If you are concerned about the effects of aging, taking a closer look at your microbiome can be an excellent place to start. It’s also a valuable tool for businesses, offering insights into how their products influence skin health and the aging process. You can read more about our Microbiome Test here.
What does estrogen have to do with the skin?
Estrogen is vital for women’s health and plays a series of essential roles in the development of female body characteristics and fertility. This hormone is also crucial for a strong immune system, balanced metabolism, protection of the heart and blood vessels, sustaining bone density, mental health, fighting various illnesses, and also skin health. Estrogen is beneficial for the skin as it:
- prevents dermal collagen decrease, which is essential in skin elasticity and firmness.
- maintains a healthy level of hyaluronic acid, which is responsible for retaining water; keeping tissues well hydrated and preventing dryness.
- sustains a healthy skin metabolism. It supports adequate blood circulation and tissue oxygenation.
- prevents and reduces dermal damage, post-injury inflammation, and skin atrophy.
- boosts the immune response and promotes tissue repair after injury.
How do these changes happen?
Once the fertile period is over, estrogen is no longer required and the ovaries stop producing it. The main menopausal changes, including those at skin level, are caused by a sharp decline in estrogen levels or estrogen withdrawal and secondary impairment of the previously mentioned processes. Although other cells in the body still produce small amounts of estrogen, it is not sufficient to compensate for the secretory function of the ovaries, which are the primary sites of production.
In most women going into age-related menopause, skin alterations appear gradually. On the other hand, women undergoing surgical menopause, where the ovaries need to be removed, may experience more rapid changes. The skin’s response for each woman may also depend on the genetic background, other skin issues, immune status, and even daily skincare routine.
The sudden drop in hormones that occurs with menopause will cause:
- a decrease in hyaluronic acid and collagen, a further appearance of fine wrinkles, especially around the eyes and accentuated permanent expression lines.
- a reduction in the fat deposits under the skin which may emphasize the flaccid aspect, predominantly on cheekbones, jawline and neck.
- various degrees of skin dryness and even itchiness in cases of severe or prolonged dehydration.
- atrophy and significant loss of elasticity, also as a consequence of a decreased dermal collagen content.
- significant alterations in dermal cellular renewal and impaired skin metabolic processes.
- frailty and thus a higher predisposition for trauma, lacerations, bruising, and slow-healing processes.
Decreased collagen content
A drop in estrogen levels is not the only reason why collagen synthesis is reduced and degradation is increased. Dermal collagen content is lowered even further due to a sudden rise in a series of small proteins called cytokines. In pre-menopausal women, these small proteins will help reproductive hormones communicate with specific cells. Their concentration is controlled by estrogen. After menopause the lower levels of estrogen can no longer maintain a healthy level of cytokines, and these proteins will increase. A high level of cytokines is damaging to the skin as it contributes to elasticity loss, the appearance of fine wrinkles, thickening, inflammation, lowering of skin immunity, and a higher predisposition for infections.
Vascular changes in the skin
In menopause, blood vessels of the entire body, including skin, are no longer protected by estrogen. The velocity of blood flow through the capillaries, or small blood vessels of the skin, is significantly diminished and they become dilated. This phenomenon may be aggravated with hot flashes and cause flushing or noticeable redness of face, neck, and chest. Hot flashes appear as a result of a lower threshold in the heat-regulating center, or body’s thermostat, which is located in an area at the base of the brain. During hot flashes, the body’s thermostat misinterprets the body temperature as too high or too low.
How can you mitigate dryness and other changes in your skin that occur in menopause?
As your skin chemistry shifts with age, you may find yourself needing to relearn which products and routines best support your skin. We recommend beginning with a skin cleanse to help identify which products are truly benefiting your skin and which may be causing irritation.
Limit daily cleansing to avoid stripping your skin barrier, and opt for a gentle, non-foaming cleanser. Keeping your skincare routine minimal and microbiome-friendly will further support the health of your skin barrier.
In addition to guiding individuals, we also work with businesses interested in understanding how their products impact the skin microbiome. Our services provide valuable insights into product performance and microbiome compatibility, helping brands create and refine offerings that support skin health.