October is Menopause Month worldwide, so we asked Alice McIntosh, co-founder of Equi London and nutritionist, to answer some common beauty questions about "the transition".
Equi London began six years ago when Alice helped her long-time friend Rosie Speight deal with the hormonal disruption she was trying to overcome since coming off the pill.
Incorporating vitamins, minerals, gut-supporting ingredients, herbs, and superfoods, Alice's regimen left Rosie's complexion clearer and brighter, but she felt amazing, and despite her busy city life, she felt energized, balanced, and calm. and strong. . It was a solution that could only be offered by a licensed dietitian, and it gave birth to the idea of a new, streamlined approach to holistic nutrition that two years later became Equi.
All of their formulas are designed to nourish and balance the body's 10 interconnected systems, including skin, hormones, digestion, energy and mind, with specific ranges targeting pregnancy and menopause.
Here we ask Alice the most important question about how menopause changes skin and hair…
How does menopause change skin and hair?
Menopause comes at a time in life when we develop great intelligence and enjoy our strongest sense of self, but this transition is often very uncomfortable. While mood symptoms, hot flashes, pain, and decreased libido are all very common during perimenopause, many women I speak with in my clinic also experience changes in their skin and hair. First, when it comes to your face, you may notice that the skin loses its youthful elasticity and plumpness, and you may be more prone to sagging or a double chin. In fact, collagen, a skin protein that helps maintain skin tone, declines by about 30% in the first five years of menopause due to the decline in estrogen. Wrinkles that are only visible with a smile or frown are almost always present. You may notice more fragile skin under your eyes, which causes puffiness.
Blackheads and acne are common side effects of menopause. As estrogen levels drop during perimenopause (and after menopause), the effects of androgen hormones (such as testosterone) become relatively stronger. For some women, that means acne, just when you thought those blemish-prone days were over!
The problem is that many acne products on the market are too harsh for women's thinner, more sensitive and mature skin and can break out more. Brown spots called melasma can appear on the cheeks, lips, and forehead. It is caused by a combination of hormonal changes and lifelong exposure to sunlight. The main hormone responsible for excessive release of pigment from melanocytes is MSH (Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone), which becomes most active during menopause.
Menopause can also cause hair changes. Estrogen stimulates the body's production of oils that naturally moisturize the scalp. With low estrogen levels, the body produces less oil and the scalp may be more prone to dryness and itchiness. Many shampoos contain ingredients that are harsh on the scalp and only increase itching. Strong chemical cleansers such as sulfates and salts are available to remove oil, but these are too harsh on the scalp.
Silicone is another ingredient to consider, as it makes hair shiny, but it can increase stress on the scalp. Hair loss is also possible due to hormonal changes, but keep in mind that it can also be linked to thyroid problems, which are common as we age. It's also important to monitor your iron levels, especially if you have heavy periods during perimenopause, which can lead to hair loss.
Finally, some women may notice hair growth on the lips or chin due to the hormonal fluctuations of menopause, especially testosterone.
If you're reading this and worried, the good news is that there's a lot we can do to minimize the impact of these changes, so don't despair!
How was this change first noticed?
For sagging skin, special attention should be paid to the eyelids, eyelids, chin and neck. If the skin in this area begins to lose its firmness and elasticity during menopause, it's a good idea to invest in high-quality nutritional supplements and a balanced diet to support your hormones and minimize these effects.
Melasma is a skin condition that starts slowly and becomes noticeable later, especially when exposed to sunlight during the summer months. It's a condition that isn't obvious at first, but it can leave dark spots on your skin that can become more noticeable over time. Pay attention to areas of the skin that are regularly exposed to sunlight, i.e. the entire face and neck, and watch out for melasma that develops there. Regular dermatological consultation is recommended during menopause to distinguish between hyperpigmentation and melasma in order to receive appropriate care.
Like other types of hormonal acne, postmenopausal acne affects the face and is characterized by deep, painful bumps or cysts. During menopause, acne can also appear as blackheads, whiteheads, and pus-filled spots around the T-zone. Acne also occurs along with facial hair, especially on the chin and upper lip.
An itchy scalp is a common problem that occurs during menopause and is sometimes accompanied by symptoms such as flaking or flaking of the skin and red spots. If you find your scalp burning after a long hot shower, it could be the first sign of dry, itchy menopause.
What can be done to prevent or support the changes that occur in perimenopause?
When it comes to diet, you may have heard it before, but repeated studies show many benefits of a Mediterranean-style diet, as it can reduce inflammation in the body. They're also fresh, vibrant, colorful, and packed with a variety of benefits, including protein, fat, complex carbohydrates, and fiber, as well as nutritious vitamins and minerals. Choosing a diet rich in unrefined carbohydrates, colorful vegetables, fruit, legumes, nuts, seeds, fish and lean meats means you eat less added sugar, processed foods and burnt red meat.
Consult your dermatologist about treatments to improve skin radiance and be sure to apply SPF daily in all seasons to reduce melasma or hyperpigmentation. Formulas containing "pine bark" ingredients are incredibly nourishing and can help fortify skin against sun damage. This ingredient can help pigmentation-prone skin, fight dark spots and blemishes caused by sun-exposed skin. Lycopene supplements may also have photoprotective effects on the skin.
For hair care, avoid long, hot showers that can further dry the scalp. Also, you should use mild and natural shampoos and avoid harsh soaps as they can be drying. Always moisturize after showering and use a nourishing moisturizer. Avoid scalp hair products that contain lots of artificial fragrances, dyes, sulfates, and parabens.
Nutritionally, hair needs adequate iron, vitamin B12, vitamin D, zinc, biotin and iodine. A balanced Mediterranean diet provides most of this, but since deficiencies are common, it's worth checking your levels annually. Really high-quality supplements can help fill in the gaps, but be sure to choose expertly formulated products as this ensures your body is getting what it really needs.
© Equi London Alice Mackintosh Equi London for menopause hair and skinPlucking, waxing, spinning, shaving or using hair removal creams are quick fixes for facial hair growth, hair can grow longer and thicker. In addition to balancing hormonal fluctuations with a diet and supplement routine (zinc features here mainly because it can help reduce testosterone levels), more sustainable solutions include electrolysis or laser hair removal. These treatments can be expensive and may require several appointments to see results.
Find a licensed beautician and book a consultation to see if these hair removal treatments are suitable for your hair and skin type.
Are there nutritional supplements and foods we should increase during menopause?
Collagen is a protein that gives and adds elasticity to skin and other tissues, and other nutrients like zinc, vitamin C, and antioxidants have been scientifically proven to promote radiance, hydration, and youthfulness during perimenopause and menopause.
However, we need to look deeper into our bodies to address the underlying issues that may be causing the changes in our skin. I advise my clients to look for supplements that provide not only vitamins and minerals but also gut support, hormone balancing ingredients and anti-inflammatory nutrients as these will impact hair health. and skin. . It's also good to think about what we can do to keep collagen healthy – antioxidants and healthy fats are key here to prevent collagen breakdown and reduce inflammation.
Probiotics, glutamine, zinc, schisandra, milk thistle, turmeric, and cranberries like goji and blueberries can all be beneficial for acne-prone skin, so look for these ingredients in supplements or add them to your daily routine.
As a busy woman, it can be difficult to find the time to research the information you need for supplements that will benefit your body during menopause. Remembering to take different supplements on a daily basis is also a challenge and it is difficult to know which one is best for your body.
This is exactly why our Menopause Formula was created. It combines 48 high-quality, bio-available nutrients specifically selected for their synergistic ability to nourish and stimulate the women's body when it needs it most. Hormonal fluctuations, mood, energy, hot flashes, pain, sugar cravings, skin problems, dehydration and low libido are all caused by these transitional changes and amazingly we have ingredients that address all of these. in a product. Addition. . Our formula also supports skin rejuvenation, long-term bone density, brain health and the cardiovascular system for long-term health.
If dry skin, eyes, vaginal dryness, or skin flaking on the body is a problem, increase your intake of fats, especially omega-3, fish, nuts, and seeds such as flaxseed and hemp oil. These cells nourish skin cells and help keep our face dewy and hydrated.
You can also look into supplements containing sea buckthorn oil, the only source of omega-7 known for its moisturizing properties. It has been shown to relieve dryness and discomfort in intimate areas, as well as dry skin and dry eyes in premenopausal women. It is rich in antioxidant vitamin E which helps in giving the skin a natural glow. Equi combines these oils with 4 others in the Menopause Oil Edition, which blends perfectly with the Menopause Formula.