Wies: “Wrinkles caused by menopause? Yes, but there’s so much you can do about it”

"Everything feels like it’s falling apart." I recognise that feeling too. Until I turned fifty, the ageing of my skin seemed to progress very gradually. Nature had it well-organised, giving you time to adjust. But in recent years, it’s been speeding up, and I can see creases and sagging forming right before my eyes.

And what about age spots? Last year, I didn’t have any, and now suddenly, there are a few on my cheeks and hands. “Who came up with this idea?” I heard myself say out loud.

Of course, I know who’s behind this: Mother menopause. Due to the drastic drop in oestrogen production, much less collagen is produced, making the skin less firm and resilient. Wrinkles and dark spots appear at an accelerated pace.

In addition, oestrogens are essential for the production of certain molecules that attract water to maintain moisture levels. It’s almost enough to make you despair. But before we all burst into tears: there’s actually a lot that can be done. I speak from experience.

To retain moisture and protect your skin from external influences, a good moisturiser and sunscreen are sufficient. That’s all you need.

If you want to address existing wrinkles and spots, vitamin A acid, available by prescription from your doctor, is one of the best creams you can use. Start cautiously with a thin layer once a week and gradually build up to a few times a week. Vitamin A acid helps improve the skin and accelerates cell renewal.

Another powerful agent is ascorbic acid. Pure vitamin C is sensitive to light and air, which causes it to lose its effectiveness quickly. Therefore, choose jars with the highest possible concentration of vitamin C and look for airtight and lightproof packaging. The cream’s shelf life will never be very long.

There’s also so much you can achieve to combat skin ageing. Fillers or Botox can mask wrinkles, but I prefer skin-improving treatments like microneedling, laser, and peels. Once or twice a year, I opt for one of these treatments.

I can tell you that my skin looks better now than it did before menopause. Really. I do have more wrinkles, but the overall condition is so much better. My skin is also more even.

A laser treatment stimulates collagen production (the skin’s building block), which increases firmness. Additionally, the heat from the laser causes tissue contraction, resulting in a finer skin texture and improved blood circulation. This gives the skin a more even tone and a fresher appearance.

A good peel or a few microneedling treatments has almost the same effect. I’m a big fan.

Although hormone therapy is only prescribed in the Netherlands as a treatment for symptoms, it seems to have a pleasant side effect: slowing down the skin ageing process. It makes sense, as the hormonal deficiencies that cause the skin to lose its elasticity are replenished. It can also help with dry and itchy skin and ears, which are caused by the same process.

Studies on identical twins show that women who use hormone therapy look younger than those who don’t. Don’t expect too much from it—more research is needed—but just the fact that you usually sleep better and have fewer symptoms makes you look better.

With a bit of makeup, a good haircut, nice clothes, and taking care of yourself, you’ll feel better. It’s a cliché, but it’s so true. You can let yourself go and look miserable, but that won’t make you any more attractive. Menopause can be challenging, but don’t let it defeat you!

Wies Verbeek (58) is a journalist, founder of the website BLOW.nl, and author of the book ’n Beetje Leuk Ouder Worden, 101 verrassende en bewezen tips. And she’s right in the middle of menopause.