As women age, they face skin concerns like wrinkles, sagging and dryness – and some of that can be blamed on dropping estrogen levels during menopause.
As a Menopause Society Certified Practitioner, Regional One Health OB/GYN Pallavi Khanna can help women with these concerns and other menopause symptoms.
She leads a specialized Menopause Care Clinic at our East Campus, and hosts a Menopause Support Group that allows women to learn from experts and each other.
For women, aging brings with it skin concerns like wrinkles, sagging and dryness. Some of this can be blamed on changes associated with menopause.
While some skin changes are inevitable as you get older, there are things you can do. As a Menopause Society Certified Practitioner, OB/GYN Dr. Pallavi Khanna uses her advanced experience and training to help patients with lifestyle changes, products and specialized care.
Dr. Khanna explained aging can cause skin to lose collagen, the proteins that give it structure and elasticity. This creates wrinkles and sagging, and makes it harder to retain moisture.
Meanwhile, menopause brings hormones into the mix.
“During menopause, estrogen levels drop. This is what causes classic menopause symptoms like hot flashes and vaginal discomfort,” she said. “Dropping estrogen also contributes to a loss of collagen and skin thickness, and some women notice female pattern hair loss on the scalp or crown, leading to a visible widening where their hair parts.”
All of this impacts body image, self-esteem and quality of life.
So, what can you do?
“Dropping estrogen contributes to a loss of collagen and skin thickness, and some women notice female pattern hair loss on the scalp or crown,” Dr. Pallavi Khanna said. “We can help!”
“In my Menopause Care Clinic, I help women navigate these concerns. I also host a Menopause Support Group at Regional One Health so women can learn from experts and each other,” Dr. Khanna said. “When it comes to skin health, lifestyle choices help.”
She encourages patients who smoke to quit. Smoking reduces blood flow to the skin’s surface, robbing it of oxygen and nutrients, which leads to damage.
“Second, reduce your exposure to UV rays from the sun or tanning beds. UV exposure leads to lines, wrinkles, roughness, brown spots, and worse…it can also up your skin cancer risk,” Dr. Khanna said.
Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB rays, and wear a wide-brimmed hat and protective clothing. If you can, avoid being outside during peak sun hours in the late morning and early afternoon.
Eating a well-balanced diet, drinking plenty of water, and getting enough sleep can also improve the skin’s appearance and health. You can improve your sleep hygiene by sleeping in a cool, dark room; wearing lightweight clothes; avoiding heavy meals and caffeine before bed; setting a regular sleep schedule; and trying things like medication, a hot bath or another calming routine.
Along with lifestyle changes, there are products aimed at aging skin and hair.
Moisturizers reduce water loss, causing the skin to look plumper or fuller. These products often include ingredients like hyaluronic acid or topical retinol that protect against signs of aging. For your hair, multivitamins and products with topical Minoxidil can be beneficial.
“I can connect patients with a dermatologist if they have severe skin conditions or concerns about skin cancer, like changes in the appearance of moles,” Dr. Khanna said. “I can also recommend specialists for severe hair loss – the issue may be a thyroid disorder or another chronic illness.”
Lifestyle changes like eating a healthy diet, drinking plenty of water and minimizing sun exposure can help with skin health.
She encourages patients to reach out about skin health.
“Please don’t dismiss your concerns about skin and hair health as frivolous! These issues impact your quality of life, and they might signal other health problems,” she said. “Seeing a provider with expertise in menopause can help you love the skin you’re in…and get you feeling better overall!”
Learn more!
As a Menopause Society Certified Practitioner, OB/GYN Dr. Pallavi Khanna has advanced education and training through the North American Menopause Society that gives her insight and expertise in providing evidence-based care for menopausal women.