The adrenal glands and ovaries of post-menopausal women secrete increased androgens. These hormones, in the absence of oestrogen, cause some menopausal symptoms, such as voice deepening, breakouts and facial hair, particularly on the chin. Oestrogen is key for the hydration of the entire body: eyes, skin, joints, even the GI tract. As oestrogen declines, everything dries out with effects ranging from dry-eye vision changes to constipation. Testosterone stimulates sebaceous glands to secrete thicker sebum, giving the appearance of oily skin (and the tendency toward adult acne in some women). Another important reason to take EFA Ultra. Without progesterone to complement, estrogen may become the dominant hormone. This may cause symptoms including weight gain, decreased sex drive, mood swings, depression, PMS, irregular menstrual cycles, heavy bleeding, breast tenderness, fibrocystic breasts, fibroids, headaches and migraines, and gallbladder problems.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE CHANGES THAT OCCUR DURING MENOPAUSE AND PERI MENOPAUSE?
Sun Damage: The maintenance of melanocytes (cells that manufacture the pigment melanin) is under the control of oestrogens. As menopause progresses, the number of melanocytes in the skin is reduced (they degenerate). With less melanocytes, we produce less of the protective melanin and the skin appears lighter. Menopausal skin is, therefore, more prone to sun damage, making it even more important to protect the skin with a sunscreen. Also, as we age, the recording of the sun damage from when we are younger starts to replay, and we start to see hyperpigmentation appear.
Thinning epidermis, and vascular matting: The growth and maintenance of capillaries in the dermis are partially under the control of the oestrogens. Blood flow through the dermal capillaries is reduced during menopause, and less nutrients and oxygen are available to the stratum germinativum or basal cell layers of the epidermis. This contributes to the thinning of the epidermis and a slower cell turnover rate, which is accompanied by a reduction in the barrier function of the epidermis, leading to trans-epidermal water loss and dry skin. There is also a decline in cell turnover. So, this is why Enzyme Therapy is so important. Enzymes #2 and #3 not only strengthen and tighten the skin, but they also strengthen the blood vessels and promote circulation, which slow with age. Extra oxygen and blood flow can help your skin look brighter and healthier.
Sagging skin and wrinkles: oestrogens stimulate fat deposits over the female body. As oestrogen levels drop during menopause, fat deposits tend to become redistributed and often concentrated over the abdomen and/or on the thighs and buttocks. The result is a loss of supportive fat below the skin of the face, neck, hands, and arms. This allows sagging wrinkles to appear, and the skin over these areas is less easily compressed, as it loses its mobility. Also, fat deposits are reduced in the breasts, resulting in loss of turgor, which causes the breasts to begin to sag and flatten.
As we age the extracellular matrix declines and the skin loses its volume and support structure that keeps it firm and bouncy. Hence the importance of essential fatty acids to keep the matrix nice and thick, and the skin firm and volumized.
Elastosis: Protein synthesis, particularly that of collagen and elastin, are partially controlled by oestrogens. We lose collagen at a rate of around 3% a year after age 30, but this accelerates in menopause. Thus, during menopause, the lowered oestrogen levels result in less production and repair of collagen and elastin in the dermis of the skin. Oestrogen, along with the thyroid hormones, keeps enzymatic reactions running efficiently. The epidermis thins, and the skin barrier becomes fragile and easily compromised.
DMK Muscle Banding will tighten and rebuild the skin and stimulate collagen production. It’s like a gym workout for the muscles of the face. Like any muscle, if you don’t use them, you lose them. Also, vitamin C is great for stimulating the fibroblast cell to produce new collagen elastin and Glycosaminoglycans, (GAGS). It also strengthens the blood vessels, evens out the skin tone and brightens any hyperpigmentation.
Hot flashes: Hot flashes are typically defined by a strong sense of warmth in the skin (mainly the face), followed by excessive sweating. It had long been thought that hot flashes were caused directly by the abrupt lowering of B-Estradiol levels, but we now know that a woman’s sympathetic nervous system is more active after menopause because of low oestrogen, causing the dilation of skin arterioles and sweating, as well as the rise in body temperature and increased heart rate. Hour-to-hour changes in the secretion of the luteinizing hormone (LH) from the pituitary gland of post-menopausal women has also been associated with hot flashes.
There are oestrogen receptors everywhere, including numerous immunoregulatory cells. Increased sensitivity happens as we age and the natural lipids in our skin diminish, making it important to use more Seba E or Herbal Pigment Oil and Herb & Mineral Mist to supply the skin with adequate skin identical lipids and essential fatty acids to increase free water levels and improve hydration. Without enough free water levels in the skin, cell communication declines or becomes dysfunctional. After the age of 50, the pH level of our skin gets higher. There is a certain level (5.4) where the pH of our skin allows for optimal operation of our microflora and defensive cells. As the pH level climbs, those cells are less able to help defend the skin and we are more prone to rashes, sensitivity, and dermatitis. If your experience a red rash or any reactive skin condition, add the Enbioment range into your home routine.
All women will enjoy not having periods! All women will enjoy not worrying about contraception. Some women will suffer horribly from hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, and vaginal dryness, and some will sail through – everyone’s experience differs. It’s the same with skin. Some people get acne, breakouts, and facial hair. For others, the skin becomes thin, wrinklier and saggy. Some get weird red rashes or what appears to be perioral dermatitis. Like stress affects people differently, remember because of the low progesterone and the fact that menopause stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, the body is in a constant stress response and the skin reflects this.
SO, WHAT SHOULD YOU BE DOING?
Regular DMK Enzyme Therapy and Muscle Banding is perfect for keeping the skin strong, firm and functioning like it did when we were young.
Consistently use a good home care regime that provides the skin with all the actives to keep it strong and young. If the skin is red and reactive, use the Enbioment range, Beta Gel, Direct Delivery Vitamin C, or Firmatrix™ ( this is like filler without injections), Seba E or Herbal Pigment Oil, Herb & Mineral Mist or Wetter Than Water™. If you get breakouts, use Acu-Klear and Acu-Therm to clear them fast. Transgenesis™ is the ultimate anti-aging nourishing crème, or Biogen C. Always use sunscreen. At night, alternate the Age Buster and Revitosin for spectacular results.
Make sure to look after your inside too by taking DMK EFAs and drink plenty of water. There is a saying in Chinese medicine, “dry wood burns, so if you want to reduce the hot flushes you need to be well hydrated.”
Early intervention is key, like age management, the earlier you start the better.
“We are all going to age it’s just how successfully we do it."
If you would like help with your menopausal skin get in touch Jill@nu-yu.co.uk
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