First things first, what is the menopause?

The menopause is a natural hormonal occurrence that stops people’s menstrual cycle – “meno” derives from the word “month” so that’s where the name menopause stems from as this halts the monthly menstrual cycles experienced by women and people of nonconforming genders.

The menopause is caused by the natural decline of oestrogen and progesterone, two key hormones that affect menstruation patterns. Alongside physically halting periods, this causes a hormonal imbalance that can wreak havoc on the skin. Plus, this combined with the gradual decline of collagen and elastin that happens simultaneously as we age means a preventative and thorough approach to menopausal skin should be taken seriously – but don’t worry, you’re in the best hands at 111 Harley St.

Here’s everything you need to know, from the signs of menopausal skin to the treatments we can perform to improve skin quality and appearance.

Need to know details about how menopause affects the skin

• Research shows that women loose around 30% of their collagen during the first 5 years of menopause
• The decrease in oestrogen means skin becomes more prone to thinning, sagging and wrinkling
• Lack of oestrogen also means your skin can struggle to retain as many hydrating ceramides

This lack of oestrogen can also affect your skin’s barrier making you more prone to redness, inflammation and breakouts.

Other skin symptoms people can experience are:

• Laxity
• Wrinkles
• Skin thinning
• Sensitivity changes
• Flakiness
• Dryness
• Melasma
• Acne
• Redness & Pigmentation

If you are experiencing any of the above conditions, at any life stage,  is to book a consultation. Our expert Aestheticians will be able to curate an efficacious treatment plan specifically for you, however, here are our top three treatments to keep skin feeling fabulous during perimenopause and menopause times.

1. POTENZA RF MICRONEEDLING 

Potenza is a must for those looking to boost collagen, dramatically soften their skin’s texture, reduce pigmentation, and restore an overall firmer appearance.

It works using both monopolar and bipolar radiofrequency alongside microneedling. The radiofrequency heats the dermis, triggering collagen production on a deeper level, encouraging regeneration from a cellular level. The microneedles work on the skin’s surface which is where you will see an improvement to fine lines and wrinkles as well as in skin texture – which in turn will give the impression of a healthier skin tone.

2. Thermage FLX

Second up is Thermage. Thermage FLX has skin-tightening benefits and uses the most concentrated type of thermal energy. This is a once-a-year treatment to get you on the road to youthful, taut and supple skin.

It’s ideal for treating laxity caused during the menopause and can help crepey skin and skin that is visibly jowling for a great overall lifting effect. It is occasionally likened to a Non-Surgical Facelift, but without using injectables. Using radio waves, it gradually heats the skin’s fibrous tissue, which removes water molecules and causes it to immediately contract. You’ll see the final result of Thermage in the week’s following when new collagen strands are grown.

This can be performed on the jawline, the body and the face.

3. ADVATx

This is one of our newest additions to 111 Harley St. and we love ADVATx (pronounced “adva-te-ex”) because it can target a range of contradictions with minimal downtime and virtually no pain.

This treatment will change your perception of laser treatments and offers on-the-day results to rejuvenate, target acne, redness, melasma and skin textural conditions, wrinkles and fine lines and more.

ADVATx stands out from other lasers because it has two lasers in one and is known because of it’s distinct yellow light. It additionally has a scanner handpiece which means it can be specifically customised to certain areas of the skin, treating deeper the areas that are affected worse than others.

For more information on menopausal skin and to begin crafting a bespoke plan for you, get in touch with our team today.