An
estimated 31.2 million women experienced menopause in the year
2000, compared with an estimated 28.7 million in 1990. Experts
project that this figure will be as high as 50 million in 2020.
As of the late 20th century, the life expectancy of women has
increased to an average age of 81. This means that most women
can expect to live over one third of their lives after menopause.
1.
Intrinsic aging is considered the natural aging process.
This is the aging process that would occur had we never been
in the sun, never ingested toxins, never were exposed to pollutants,
etc. Genetics play a key role in Intrinsic aging, if your parents
aged well, odds are, you will also. In the skin, intrinsic aging
results in loss of collagen and elastin, and reduced water content
in the cells.
2. Extrinsic aging is
also known as “Environmental Aging”, a term I introduced
back in 1993. Extrinsic or Environmental Aging is the aging
that results from the combination of external injury and compromised
internal cellular functions. This is the type of aging that
we can control. Factors such as sun exposure, smoking, stress,
poor diet and intake of drugs or alcohol contribute to the aging
process. Extrinsic aging effects can be reduced with preventative
and corrective care. Signs of extrinsic aging are loss of collagen
and elastin, hyperpigmentation, redness, dryness, thinner skin
and loss of water in the cells.
3. Hormonal
aging occurs as levels of estrogen decline. Low estrogen
levels result in weakening of the collagen and elastin fibers.
Skin becomes thinner and more fragile, with an increase in facial
hair, and breakouts, with reduced water content in the cells.
In
addition to the three types of aging described above, there
are over three hundred theories on the causes of aging. At least
a dozen explain why cells decline. No matter what the cause,
free radical damage to inflammation, the net effect of all of
them is water loss. Water is lost from within the cells. Water
is lost from the material that keeps the collagen and elastin
factories going. Water is lost from every layer of the skin.
collagen
in the first five years after menopause. Moreover, as skin thins
by approximately a percentage point a year, the decelerated
cell renewal rate leaves increasing numbers of dead skin cells
on the surface.
I
believe that the answer to caring for menopausal skin lies in
the use of the anti-aging ingredient of the 21st century, WATER.
Having an internal and external skin care program (see sidebar)
will help maintain the water balance in your entire body; I
call it The Water Principle.
The Water Principle is not about drinking eight or more glasses
of water a day, it’s about getting and maintaining water
in the cells, so that the body can function in its full capacity.
Next to oxygen, water is the most important substance you need,
and almost everything we know about aging tells us that the
decline in function over the years is a story on water loss.
Imagine a baby, at birth, it’s body weight is about 75
percent water. In our adult years it drops to just 60 percent.
Combine the loss of water with the reduction in hormone levels
experienced in menopause, and the visual and physical effects
of aging can be quite dramatic.
Antioxidants
to disarm free radicals, which ultimately damage the cell membrane
and cause it to lose water.
Anti-inflammatory agents to reduce inflammation, which
releases free radicals that damage cellular structures and cause
water loss
Natural Moisture Factors to absorb water from the environment
and act as a reservoir for water in the skin.
Hydrophobic Agents such as ceramides, which prevent
water loss from all cells and maintain the skin’s barrier
function – these can also be essential in repairing and
maintaining cell membranes
Fatty Acid and Glucosamine supplements to encourage
the body to make it’s own water-holding molecules
Lecithin and its building blocks, Phosphatidylcholine and Choline
to maintain cell walls
In
a society that embraces youth, it signals the aging process
and takes it’s toll emotionally as well as physically.
A part of every woman’s reproductive life cycle, menopause
is the cessation of menstruation during which a woman’s
ovaries produce less of the female hormone estrogen. Menopause
cannot be diagnosed medically, until a woman has been period-free
for one year without being pregnant, breastfeeding, medication
or certain diseases — factors that can also cause menstruation
to cease. After menopause, women are no longer able to bear
children and become more vulnerable to certain diseases.
Menopause is unpredictable. The drop in hormone levels differs
from woman to woman, as do overall menopausal symptoms. While
the onset of menopause usually occurs between the ages of 45
and 55, some women in their early 30’s experience menopausal
sleeplessness, weight gain, irritability, temporary memory loss,
hot flashes, increased facial hair, acne, and dry skin.
Medical studies have shown hormonal changes taking place during
and post-menopause change skin composition. The subdermis, or
layer of fat that cushions the skin, deflates while the production
of collagen and elastin (structural protein tissue) lessens.
The dermis (the skin’s supporting and nourishing layer)
thins out and the skin loses much of its “extensibility,”
or ability to bounce back. This is due primarily to the decreased
level of estrogen that prevents the growth, leading to the weakening
of blood vessels causing broken capillaries. The lack of nutrients
and oxygen contribute to this thinning and slower cell turnover
rate.
The physical ramifications of menopause are apparent. Wrinkles
become more prominent, while the skin assumes a dull, discolored,
rough, dry appearance. Additionally, women who never had acne
in their life may discover unexpected breakouts because of a
lack of estrogen in their bodies. They may find to have more
facial hair and due to the thinning of skin with age, brown
spots, more sensitive skin and fine, dilated blood vessels.
bounce
back. This is due primarily to the decreased level of estrogen
that prevents the growth, leading to the weakening of blood
vessels causing broken capillaries. The lack of nutrients and
oxygen contribute to this thinning and slower cell turnover
rate.
The physical ramifications of menopause are apparent. Wrinkles
become more prominent, while the skin assumes a dull, discolored,
rough, dry appearance. Additionally, women who never had acne
in their life may discover unexpected breakouts because of a
lack of estrogen in their bodies. They may find to have more
facial hair and due to the thinning of skin with age, brown
spots, more sensitive skin and fine, dilated blood vessels.
An
option for some women is Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT),
sometimes called postmenopausal hormone therapy. With HRT, estrogen
is supplemented with another female hormone, progesterone. HRT
is available in a variety of forms, such as estrogen tablets,
patches, cream, implants or a combination of these. It is only
suggested for healthy women with specific problems directly
related to menopause. HRT has been shown to benefit in preventing
many of the physical changes experienced during and after menopause.
Side effects, however, to this therapy include monthly bleeding,
breast tenderness, nausea, abdominal bloating and headaches.
Recent studies warn women against the risks of HRT, it is important
to thoroughly evaluate all benefits and risks with a physician.
Alternative methods to Hormone Replacement Therapy are also
being used to relieve menopausal symptoms. Botanical and herbal
products that mirror the effects of estrogen may provide some
relief in alleviating menopausal symptoms, however again, it
is important to discuss these option with your physician.
With an increase of patients coming to me in the menopausal
years, I’ve researched ingredients and formulas that are
specifically designed address menopausal skin concerns. I’ve
outlined key ingredients to look for:
Topically-
Internally-
·
Apricot
Oil, Evening
Primrose Oil and Borage
Seed Oil protect the skin’s
natural barrier, increasing
moisture retention
Symptoms
of menopause such as insomnia, irritability and joint pain may
be addressed internally with natural solutions such as:
·
Papaya
enzymes gently
exfoliate to reveal brighter,
softer skin
·
Melatonin
to induce calm and encourage restful sleep
·
Soy
and Wild Yam Extracts,
natural plant based estrogens
·
Glucosamine
to boost collagen production and
ease joint pain
·
Clove
Flower and Iris
Extracts tone and firm skin
·
Glycosaminoglycans
inhibit
collagen breakdown
·
Biotin
to strengthen hair, skin and nails
·
Shiitake
Mushroom Extract
conditions and firms skin
·
Essential
Fatty Acids to hydrate from the inside out
·
Shea
Butter super hydrates
to restore skin’s vibrancy
·
B-complex
Vitamins for overall health benefits
·
Chaparral
Extract inhibits
facial hair growth, clinically
proven to reduce facial hair
growth by 22% in 12 weeks
In
addition to topically applied treatments and internal supplements,
I recommend a program that also includes self-care or what I
call, Inclusive Health™. Yes, you can reduce wrinkle,
fight free radicals and inflammation and keep skin soft and
pliable. But all of this rejuvenation is not enough if you’re
not taking time to relax, de-stress, reduce isolation, and have
passion in your life.
As
you know, skin is the largest organ of our body. It not only
signals touch and temperature, it detects nuances in our environment
and communicates that to the brain. Harvard University researchers
have dubbed this connection the nuero-immuno-cutaneous-endocrine
network, or N.I.C.E.
Translated,
everything that affects the skin, affects the body, and vice
versa. The skin is connected to our brain, our nervous system,
our hormones and our immune system. In broader terms, it’s
a mind-skin link that reflects health as well as disease.
