At Persona some of us ladies have reached that age where the menopause has hit, yet I am always being told how great our skins look. We are fortunate to have the know how and skills to treat many skin concerns but the menopause can throw up some rapid and unfortunate changes in the skin. Dryness, dull complexion, wrinkles, lumps and bumps are but a few. So what is happening and why?
The simple answer is of course hormonal changes and, in particular, the rapid decline in estrogen production. This hormone is key to skin health and vitality and with reduced levels it impacts the skin in a multitude of ways.
- Wrinkles & Ageing – Estrogen is a key component in the production of collagen and without it our collagen production rapidly declines. Collagen and elastin are the building blocks of the skin, keeping it tight, plump and healthy with less wrinkles.
- Dehydration – Hyaluronic acid is produced within the skin and is a natural hydrator. Again Estrogen plays a vital role in this process so reduced levels lead to dryness and dehydration which increases wrinkle production.
- Dull Complexion -Your skin cells should regenerate about every 27 days. New cells are made in the deep layers of the skin and move through the skin to the surface. In menopause the rate at which this happens slows down so you end up with a build up of old skin cells on the surface making the complexion dull.
- Pigmentation – There are 2 main types of pigmentation:- environmental and hormonal. Both may appear around the time of the menopause making the skin look marked and patchy.
- Excessive Hair growth – The chin area is biologically linked to the ovaries which is why facial hair growth can increase with hormonal changes in the body.
- Lumps & bumps – The smoothness of the skin can be afflicted with the development of benign lumps & bumps, age spots, skin tags and other skin lesions. When the skins health declines, cells don’t always regenerate in an organised fashion so these issues can develop.
BUT- it is not all bad news! There are some very effective and simple things you can do to make the most of your skin during this time of your life. You just need to know what really works!
Home care
Using the correct products for whatever time of your life you are in is key to maintaining optimum health and appearance of your skin. Cosmeceutical skin care products can only be purchased in clinics as they contain very active ingredients that actually work. The top recommended skin care products for menopausal skin are:-
- Retinol -This is a MUST for anyone over 40. This is a derivative of vitamin A and is clinical proven to be the most powerful antioxidant for the skin (repairs skin cells & blocks things which cause skin damage.) Lots of skin care products contain retinol or retinal but they are far less active in the skin and often cannot penetrate to where the skin cells are produced. Remember our skin is designed as a barrier to stop things getting in and out of our bodies. Only specially formulated products can pass through the barrier to reach developing skin cells. That’s the key difference between a cosmeceutical product and ones you buy over the counter.
- Emepelle Day & Night cream – Our personal favourites – This is the only clinically proven product range which stimulates estrogen receptors in the skin. Although HRT helps it doesn’t target the skin specifically. These unique products stimulate estrogen production directly within the skin which in turn increases the production of collagen, elastin, hyaluronic acid and skin cell regeneration.
- Collagen shots – A high strength award-winning skin firming Collagen Shots drink containing 10,000 mg hydrolysed marine collagen, hyaluronic acid, acai berry super antioxidant, combined with vitamin B3, B5, C with zinc and copper.This unique combination stimulates collagen synthesis, strengthens connective tissue and vascular health, which in turn boosts blood flow and hydrates the skin. Within a matter of weeks skin appears smoother, firmer and plumper.
- Female Hormone Support capsules – A highly potent Female Hormone support supplement that has been carefully crafted to help women combat the symptoms of PMS, peri-menopause and menopause. With suma powder, hops, alfalfa, reishi mushroom, vitamin B6 and more, this supplement reduces hot flushes, decrease irritability and promotes more restful sleep. Our very own Emma has been taking these and here is what she has to say;
“ The new Female Hormone Supplement from Rejuvenated is life changing!
Yes that is a bold statement to make but my day & night sweats have almost gone and Im sleeping like a baby again”
In Clinic Face & Skin Treatments
The aim of in clinic treatments during the menopause is to boost your skins optimum health and vitality. They focus on collagen creation and stimulation, reducing harmful components that damage the skin, correcting the complexion and hydration levels and reducing wrinkles. We can of course use injectables to correct the signs of ageing but keeping the skin in optimum condition is key to maintaining the effects of such treatments and producing fabulous looking, healthy skin. All treatments recommended are hugely beneficial for menopausal skin. Depending on your main issues will determine which will be most suitable for you and this can be discussed with one of our skin experts.
- Persona Menopause Facial – This really is the gold star of all facial treatments for menopausal skin. Designed by the team at Persona, we have cherry picked the most effective stages & products from our selection of facial treatments and combined them into one truly amazing skin procedure to combat all those skin issues caused by the menopause.
- Hydrafacial – The clue is in the name and hydration is the game. Offering the benefits of increasing skin cell turnover, deep cleanse and pore extraction, lymphatic drainage, infusion of hydrating agents, and LED light therapy. Add on a skin booster to tailor your HydraFacial and take the results to the next level.
- Laser Skin Rejuvenation – This is a must have treatment for everyone over 40 as it’s our number one procedure to clear your complexion of pigment changes, fine thread veins and other skin damage blemishes caused though natural skin ageing & environmental factors.
- Medical micro needling – The ultimate collagen stimulation treatment without injections.
- Polynucleotides (PN’s)- the field of medical aesthetics is heading towards what’s known as regenerative medical procedures. The essence of these treatments is a more holistic approach to rejuvenating skin than more invasive procedures. PN’s are used to repair severe skin burns in the medical field but found to be hugely beneficial to combat the signs of ageing because of their powerful ability to repair skin damage caused by ageing, hormonal changes and associated factors. PN’s are also great at rejuvenating those difficult to treat areas like the neck, chest and hands.
BODY TREATMENTS
- Pelvic Floor Muscle Stimulator -The Tesla Seat– Stress incontinence affects 1 in 3 women and is defined by a leaky bladder when you are physical, cough , sneeze etc. This is due to weakening of the pelvic floor muscles which may be due to childbirth but becomes worse during the menopause. The Tesla seat is a machine which tightens theses muscles as you sit on it. No discomfort and you remain fully clothed during the treatment so all dignity is maintained.
- Laser Lipo – Hormonal changes and age can make loosing weight so much harder and women start to deposit fat around the mid section. This non invasive procedure helps to break down fatty deposits and tighten the skin on any part of the body.
- Lymphatic drainage massage – We can retain fluid in our bodies for many reasons and of course one of them is the menopause. Our lymphatic system works to rid the body of fluids but can become sluggish or blocked causing fluid retention. This specialist massage clears the lymphatics allowing fluids to flow out of the body normally. It is a very safe and pleasant procedure.