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

“Every time I look in the mirror I look older. New wrinkles are popping up with each waking minute,” a friend said to me the other day. “I feel like my face is collapsing.” I can second that emotion. Until I turned 50, the ageing process was gradual. I guess it’s nature's way of letting us get used to the idea. Then, all of a sudden, my skin seemed to age overnight. Wrinkles, sagging skin, it’s like I’m fighting an uphill battle. 

It gets even worse. Age spots have started to appear on my cheeks and hands. When I saw these spots, all I could think was, ‘You've got to be joking!’.

It's all down to hormones

Of course, I know what’s behind it. Menopause. As oestrogen levels drop, collagen production decreases along with it, causing the skin to lose its firmness and elasticity. This is what speeds up wrinkling and sagging.  

Oestrogen is also essential for the production of hyaluronic acid, a substance whose molecular structure allows it to bind and retain water molecules, which is essential for maintaining skin hydration. Does this mean you should just throw in the towel and accept a leathery, wrinkled face? Of course, not. Yes, the ageing process is an unavoidable part of life. But I can speak from experience when I say there’s lots you can do to slow it down. 

Choose the right skin care products

mean that it requires care. A good moisturiser and sunscreen is all you need.  

Do you want to do something about existing wrinkles and clear pigment spots? Then ask your doctor to prescribe a cream with Vitamin A acid. It’s the best way to reduce and prevent skin ageing. Start by applying a thin layer once a week, and increase gradually to a few times a week. Vitamin A acid helps improve skin appearance and stimulates cell renewal. 

Another powerful substance is ascorbic acid, pure Vitamin C. Mind you, ascorbic acid (especially those products contained in clear containers) can oxidise when exposed to light or air and become less effective over time. So make sure you choose a cream with the highest concentration of Vitamin C in an airtight, opaque container. Remember, Vitamin C cream can never have a long shelf life.  

Support your skin with skin care treatments

Skin care treatments can help keep your skin looking its very best. While you can cover up wrinkles and blemishes on your face with fillers and Botox, I prefer skin improvement techniques such as microneedling, laser therapy or peelings. I only do this once or twice a year.  

You may find this hard to believe, but my skin looks better than before menopause. It's true. I still have wrinkles but the condition of my skin is so much better now. My skin is also much smoother. 

Laser therapy stimulates the production of collagen, an indispensable building block for healthy, firm skin. The heat from the laser shrinks the skin tissue, resulting in a finer skin structure, improved blood circulation, a more even skin tone and fresher, radiant skin.  

A good peeling or a few microneedling treatments have virtually the same effect. It's seriously amazing for your skin! 

Hormone therapy can also help

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is a first-line treatment for women who need help with managing menopausal symptoms, but it seems to have a pleasant side effect: it can slow down the skin ageing process. This makes sense. By restoring hormone levels that cause the skin to lose collagen and elastin, HRT helps improve skin elasticity.  

Studies of identical twins reveal that women who had used HRT look younger compared to their twin who had not. Don't get too excited, more research needs to be done. But the mere fact that HRT improves menopausal symptoms and sleep quality helps your skin condition as well. 

Don't forget self-care

Simple things like applying a little make-up, getting your hair done or buying a new outfit can make you more confident. It's a cliché, but when you look good, you also feel good. By letting yourself go and wearing clothes that are fit for comfort instead of style, you're not doing your appearance any favours. Menopause can be hard, but this is not the time to throw in the towel! 

Wies Verbeek (59) is a healthy ageing journalist, founder of website BLOW.nl, and author of ’n Beetje Leuk Ouder Worden, 101 verrassende en bewezen tips (Ageing Happily, 101 surprising tips that work). And... she's going through menopause like the rest of us. Wies writes about her experiences for SeeMe-nopause.