Menopause and Dry Skin

Menopause is the natural process in a woman's life when the ovaries experience a decrease in function. This results in a subsequent decrease of hormonal and collagen production levels. During perimenopause (the two- to six-year period before menopause that is marked by hormonal changes that lead to menopausal symptoms), a woman may begin to see signs of dry skin and aging.

As hormonal levels become unbalanced, the skin begins to thin and loses its natural ability to produce oil. This is mainly because of a drop in the skin-plumping hormone Estrogen. As a result, dry skin and wrinkles soon become obvious. Menopause should be treated as a different cause of dry skin, and consequently a change in dry skin treatment will be needed.

Menopause usually happens between the ages of 45 and 55 in most women, but it can in fact occur much earlier in others. A major factor for premature menopause is smoking, which is also a cause of dry skin even in a woman's younger years. Smoking hastens menopause by exposing the body to toxins that affect the genetic makeup of egg cells and cause them to die off. In Italy, a study was conducted in the Civitanova Marche General Hospital's Menopausal Centre between 1996 and 2001. The researchers found that, among a group of 350 women, menopause started at around the age of 47 for smokers, as opposed to 49 years and six months for non-smokers. Smoking has been linked to dry skin and wrinkles time and again, and women in menopause should consider quitting for any hope of restoring their skin to its original youthful appearance.

There are several ways to restore the skin's healthy appearance during menopause. Perhaps the most simple treatment involves a small change in one's lifestyle. Maintaining a good diet, an exercise regimen and a fixed bedtime can help minimize the effects of menopausal dry skin.

It should be remembered that skin moisture comes from within the body, not from externally applied sources such as creams and salves. It is therefore important to drink lots of water everyday during menopause. At least five 8-oz glasses of water a day should ensure the skin has enough water to protect itself against dry skin.

In addition, it is a good idea to incorporate high-quality oils in the diet. Coconut and olive oil are good for the skin and are both great for cooking and salad dressing. Flax seed oil and zinc, found in poultry, dairy, red meat, oysters and whole grains, can help prevent dry skin. Also, try to include more fish in your diet (particularly salmon), but make sure that you get your catch from a source that's not laden with mercury and other chemicals. Vitamin E supplements can also help restore the skin's appearance. Other dietary options for dry skin treatment include soy protein and isoflavones. They not only help relieve most of the discomforts of menopause, but also improve general health and well-being.

Exercise is also important to encourage blood flow and improve circulation. A twenty-minute walk everyday is often enough to give the skin a healthy, vibrant glow. The activity stimulates the oil glands that have normally been weakened by menopause and aging, minimizing the damages of dry skin. For protection during the day, always apply a sunscreen with at least an SPF of 25--and make sure the sunscreen does not contain any chemicals you may be sensitive to. Sun exposure, in addition to smoking, has been directly linked to the development of dry skin and age spots.

What's more, use dry skin products that contain at least one of the following important ingredients: Petrolatum (Vaseline), water, lanolin, mineral oil, olive oil or shea butter. Dogwood Square sells a wonderful shea butter and olive oil lotion which has a rich, creamy texture and natural antioxidants.

Avoid any skin product that has the word "detergent" on the label--there's a good chance it will irritate your skin and do more harm than good, especially during menopause. It is suggested that a shielding lotion be used in lieu of the usual moisturizer at this stage. A good shielding lotion locks in the skin's natural moisture and shields out the chemicals that cause dry skin.

Lastly, cleanse your skin in the morning and before turning in for the night. There are many natural cosmetics in the market these days. In fact, the same olive oil you use for cooking makes for a great dry skin cleanser! Check into the health food shops for ideas on products that do not have any chemicals. Make sure you get enough sleep, as not doing so will aggravate any skin problems that you had even before menopause.

Follow the abovementioned tips and you can be on your way to a happy, dry skin-free postmenopausal life. The years after menopause can be a stressful period for many women, so having one less thing to worry about can be a blessing.