Perimenopause & Your Skin

Understanding the changes — and how to support your skin through this stage of life

Perimenopause is a time of significant hormonal change, but the effects aren't limited to your periods, sleep or mood. Your skin is also responding to these changing hormones.

As oestrogen levels fluctuate and gradually decline, the skin can become drier, thinner and less elastic. Collagen production decreases, the skin's ability to retain moisture changes, and the processes that help maintain firmness and resilience become less efficient.

You may suddenly notice things you didn't experience before 

                                                                                                                                       Dryness

Fine lines

Loss of firmness

Changes in texture

Dullness 

Breakouts

This is not limited to the face, you may notice 

Wrinkled / Saggy knees

Crepey armpit skin & Inner arm / Inner thigh skin

A turkey neck forming despite having low body fat

Boney / vascular Hands & Feet

Wrinkled elbow skin

For many women, these changes can feel like they have happened almost overnight.

Why does this happen?

Oestrogen plays an important role in maintaining healthy skin. It influences collagen production, the extracellular matrix, skin hydration, elasticity and the skin's ability to repair itself.

As hormone levels change during perimenopause, the rate at which these processes occur can change too.

This is one reason why the skin you have at 43 may suddenly behave very differently from the skin you had at 33.

And it's also why looking after your skin during perimenopause can be particularly important.

Perimenopause, weight loss & skin elasticity

Another change that many women experience during this stage of life is a change in body composition and weight.

When we lose weight, younger skin may naturally retract and adapt to the change in volume. As collagen and elastin decline, the skin may not have the same ability to respond.

This doesn't mean that weight loss will inevitably leave you with loose skin — but skin quality and elasticity become increasingly important factors as we age.

Supporting the skin before significant changes occur can therefore be a proactive part of ageing well.

So, what can we do?

There isn't one treatment that can stop the effects of hormonal ageing — and aesthetic treatments aren't a replacement for appropriate medical care or HRT where indicated.

But there are ways to support the health, hydration, elasticity and appearance of the skin as it changes.

At Divine London, treatments I may recommend depending on your skin and individual goals include:

Polynucleotides

Polynucleotides are designed to support the skin's natural repair and regenerative processes. They can help improve skin quality, hydration, elasticity and texture over time.

For women beginning to notice hormonal changes in their skin, they can form part of a proactive skin-rejuvenation programme, helping to support the skin as it moves through this transition.

Skin Boosters & Profhilo

Skin boosters can provide targeted hydration and improve the overall appearance and quality of the skin.

Different products work in different ways, with formulations containing ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, peptides, amino acids, vitamins and other active ingredients.

Profhilo is a hyaluronic-acid treatment particularly suited to skin that has become dehydrated, dull or less elastic.

Microneedling

Microneedling stimulates the skin's natural renewal processes and can be used to improve texture, fine lines, pigmentation and the appearance of scarring.

It can be a useful non-filler option for women who want to focus on improving skin quality rather than adding volume.

Start supporting your skin early

Perimenopause isn't something we need to fear — it's a transition. And this transition can last anywhere between 6 - 12 years.

And your skincare and aesthetic approach can transition with you.

Rather than waiting until changes in elasticity, hydration and skin quality become significant, starting a consistent skin-rejuvenation routine during perimenopause can be a proactive way to support your skin and age well through the years ahead.

Your skin is changing. Your approach can change with it.

If you're noticing changes in your skin and aren't sure which treatment is right for you, I offer consultations to assess your skin and create a treatment plan around your individual needs.

Book a consultation