GLOWING
THE DISTANCE: Menopause Skin Report
I want to empower women to choose how they experience their perimenopause or menopause journey and provide them with knowledge of what they can do to prevent the signs and symptoms that can wreak havoc on the skin and body before they occur. The data is striking and change is needed. With 63% of women still unaware that the signs and symptoms can occur a decade before treatment and have anxiety and stress around skin and body changes in menopause, and 64% of women feel uncomfortable speaking to healthcare professionals about menopause stating they often had their symptoms dismissed, my mission is to ensure that all women are heard, seen and empowered. This report is a definitive guide for women on preventative treatments for skin health during this time so that in a world where ageism still exists, women are empowered with the knowledge to take control over their journey.
It’s estimated 15.5 m women across the UK are at some stage of the menopause transition. While media awareness around the topic has rocketed, with celebrities like Davina McCall raising awareness of issues affecting women, there is still a lack of awareness among UK women around how and when the perimenopause and menopause takes hold.
This report explains how to prepare for menopause skin, what to expect, treatment and tweakments available and how to holistically approach for health, vitality and wellbeing.
KNOWING THE SKIN YOU’RE IN
63% of women don’t realise menopause signs and symptoms can take hold ten years before their last period.
However, the most common signs that UK women are aware of or have experienced that affect the skin and body are:
Hot flushes
Increased sweating
Vaginal dryness
Thinning of hair/hair loss
Lack of collagen and elasticity
It’s clear from these findings that there is a gap between knowledge and awareness of what signs can be prevented on the skin and body. However we’ve also learnt that tell women would be prepared to adapt their skincare regimes in order to prevent the onset of signs such as fine lines and wrinkles.
ANXIETY, CONFIDENCE AND SKIN HEALTH
Loss of confidence and anxiety are often highlighted as the mental health symptoms of the menopause. For women experiencing the perimenopause and menopause across the UK, the impact of this can be detrimental to day to day life.
When asked how potential skin and body issues caused by the perimenopause and menopause may affect UK women, respondents said:
said they’d feel anxious and stressed
said they’d no longer like having photos taken or being in family photos
said they’d avoid going out and social events
said they’d feel more sadness
said they’d avoid looking in the mirror and 58% said they’d generally lack in confidence
DEALING WITH THE
‘PERI-SCARIES’
Dubbed as having the ‘peri-scaries’, of those yet to experience the perimenopausal stage, 80% of those surveyed don’t agree they feel prepared for the onset of perimenopause/menopause with 56% saying they’re fearful of the symptoms.
A further 18% said they are in denial and over half (56%) don’t agree they are aware of their mother’s experience of menopause, suggesting that generational differences in attitudes are preventing conversations from taking place.
PREVENTATIVE ACTION TO GLOW THE DISTANCE
All women surveyed were asked what signs they would be most keen to prevent. The most popular signs that women would take action to avoid are:
Weight gain
Increased sweating
Thinning of hair/hair loss
Sagging of face contours cheekbones jaw neck area
Increase in fine lines/wrinkles
Acne breakouts
Dark circles around the eyes / dark spots on face and body
Dry/ Itchy /red / puffy skin
Loss of radiance or ‘dulled skin’
The below treatments had the most appeal among 2,069 respondents for treatments they’d consider to prevent the signs of the perimenopause and menopause.
| 1. | HRT gel or HRT TABLETS to help with hormonal imbalance impacting skin including sensitivity, dehydration |
38% |
|---|---|---|
| 2. | Skinboosters to help rehydrate your skin and improve skin glow (such as Profhilo® / BELOTERO® Revive /skinboosters) |
28% |
| 3. | Anti-wrinkle injections to help slow the signs of ageing and reduce frowning |
26% |
| 4. | Medical grade skincare to improve skin quality and texture and pigmentation or onset of acne |
22% |
| 5. | Dermal fillers to treat lost volume in the face (such as cheek augmentation, tear trough/under eye augmentation or jawline |
18% |
| 6. | Endolift® laser face lift for skin tightening and reduction of jowls and double chin |
14% |
| 7. | Morpheus8 or secret pro-Microneedling radiofrequency for collagen stimulation, pore refinement, skin texture improvement |
13% |
| 8. | ULTRAcel or high-intensity focused ultrasound to non-surgically tighten face |
12% |
CASE STUDY:
HAYLEY
Hayley, 41, was diagnosed as post menopausal at 14. She recently undertook skincare treatment with Dr Yusra to address dark circles under her eyes after experiencing loss of volume in her skin due to the menopause. Hayley says:
"I have been very self conscious all my life about how I look as my body has aged a lot sooner than it should have, so looking good is something that is very important to me. I went to see Dr Yusra after experiencing a number of issues and felt able to open up about the impact of menopause on my skin."
