Love The Skin You’re In

Your skin is literally your window to the world on your health!

As we travel through perimenopause into menopause, these hormonal changes can wreak havoc to our skin. When the production of hormones estrogen and progesterone rapidly drop off with perimenopause and menopause, most people see it in their skin. The skin may become dry or less plump.

Some people will also notice acne as estrogen levels fall and androgen levels remain stable (androgens are male sex hormones, like testosterone), increasing sebum production and causing pores to become blocked.

I remember a client saying to me ‘it seems like my skin doesn’t fit me anymore’ - as if we don’t have enough to deal with, with all of the other symptoms associated with this time.

Some of the main problems we can experience are:

Collagen loss

During the first five years of menopause, women's skin can lose up to 30% of its collagen, and then about 2% each year after that. This can cause skin to lose firmness and sag, and wrinkles to become more visible.

Dryness

Hormonal changes can cause dryness, which can lead to sagging and wrinkles.

Other changes

Skin can feel thinner and more prone to irritation, and you might notice age spots, signs of sun damage, or pimples. You might also develop facial hair, such as on your chin, cheeks, or upper lip - this ones a real joy!!

What you eat, how healthy you are, and how well (or badly) you are aging is literally written across your face for all to see. The question we should be asking is ‘What is my skin trying to tell me’?

Your skin is your largest organ and it play a vital role in health. It forms a protective barrier between you and the outside world and plays an important role in protecting you from pathogens, regulating your temperature, protecting against fluid loss and synthesising Vitamin D.

The key to good skin health is to nourish your inner health and provide all of the nutrients that your skin needs.

Tell-tale signs such as fine lines, and wrinkles, sun damage, age spots and changes in skin texture are all a natural part of aging but how rapidly you age can be influenced by your diet and lifestyle.

Many different factors contribute to skin aging including sun damage, oxidative stress, and inflammation - sugar again is a major culprit.

Supple, youthful skin relies on collagen and elastin and connective tissue proteins that support the skin and give it it’s structure. High levels of sugar and processed foods in the diet damage collagen and accelerate aging.

We are also exposed to chemicals, pesticides, plastics and other toxins on a daily basis which can trigger low grade inflammation and oxidative stress so it’s paramount to keep our exposure as low as possible.

Sun exposure is important to help us synthesise Vitamin D, regulate your circadium rhythms and support healthy mood: however too much UV exposure causes oxidative damage and accelerates aging. A good SPF and  anti-oxidant rich diet will help slow the aging process.

Most people will experience side effects of menopause, including skin changes like dryness. Because of the rapid drop in estrogen, changes may be most noticeable during the onset of menopause when collagen production abruptly drops off.

Also don't forget the role between our gut health and skin. The gut plays a major role in regulating the immune system, which can affect other organs in the body, including the skin. When the gut is unhealthy, it can release pro-inflammatory cytokines throughout the body, which the skin can react to in various ways. These reactions can include breakouts, redness, skin sensitivity, and signs of aging.

After a few years, skin changes as a result of menopause will feel more gradual.

Menopause is an inevitable part of life for all menstruating people. In addition to hot flashes, fatigue, weight gain, and sometimes irritability and night sweats, skin changes are also common but we can put in some steps to make the process less disturbing.

The sooner you get to work on your skin the better, to retain and boost as much of your collagen as possible.

Here’s some top tips to slow down aging below:

• Avoid sugar in all forms
• Avoid all diary
• Avoid fried food - enjoy steamed food instead
• Avoid processed and refined foods
• Go organic where possible or wash food thoroughly if not
• Eat a high amount of varied plant foods
• Enjoy oily fish such as salmon, tuna, mackerel, and sardines to increase health fats
• Eat an antioxidant-rich diet
• Balance your hormonal health and avoid oral contraceptive use
• Always use a good sun-screen with high SPF
• Cardiovasular exercise 3 - 4 times weekly
• Avoid exposure to to endocrine-disrupting chemicals, pesticides and plastics
• Supplement with Omega 3 EFA’s, Zinc, Selenium, Vitamin C, Lycopene, Resveratrol, Beta-carotine, Lipoic Acid and Collagen.
• If pigmentation is a problem - let’s discuss the use of Maritime Pine Extract
• Test your gut health if needed - we can run a full GI MAP with Zonulin
• Stress Management
• DRINK LOTS OF CLEAN FILTERED WATER!! 

Need help with your nutrition and supplements - just reach out to us at [email protected]