As we age, our skin goes through all kinds of considerable changes. For women going through menopause, these changes can make skin care – especially sun protection – more important than ever. Menopausal women are likely to experience increased skin sensitivity, dryness, and thinning. As with many menopausal symptoms, a drop in oestrogen is responsible for these changes. It’s crucial to understand the link between menopause and increased vulnerability to UV damage.
Proper sun protection is essential for any Australian, but when you’re going through menopause, it becomes even more important. Read on to find out more about what your skin may be going through, and how to provide extra protection from the sun through this phase in your life.
Menopause and skin vulnerability: the risks of UV damage
So why, exactly, does our skin become more vulnerable to the risk of UV damage throughout menopause? (It’s not like we needed something else to manage in the midst of all of the changes menopause brings!)
The culprit: hormonal changes result in reduced collagen production, skin hydration, and oil production. These reductions also cause a higher sensitivity to UV rays, leading to increased risk of wrinkles, sunspots, and skin cancer. Experts have also found a link between exposure to UV rays, decreased oestrogen, and increased risk for conditions such as osteoporosis, lung function decline, and other serious health complications. All in all, it’s good motivation to remember to take sun protection seriously.
In addition to these concerns, it’s important to remember that during menopause, your skin’s capacity to repair itself is lowered. This means the impact of UV ray exposure becomes far more dangerous than it was previously, an unfortunate reality that we each need to be highly mindful of. Whether you’re concerned about aesthetic factors such as premature ageing and wrinkles or your focus lies on preventing serious health outcomes, there are a wide range of reasons why the right skin care is an essential part of your menopause toolkit.
Effective strategies for protecting your skin from the sun
Although the potential health outcomes can be alarming, there are certainly some easy and efficient steps you can take to ensure you’re giving your skin the best protection possible. Here are our top tips for staying safe in the sun, particularly during Australia’s warm summer months:
- Lather up.We recommend using a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30+ every day, even on days when it’s cloudy. For sensitive menopausal skin, opt for gentler sunscreens containing zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. Make sure you apply your sunscreen liberally and often, including re-applying after getting wet or doing physical activity.
- Embrace sun-safe fashion. Did you know that some clothing is specifically designed to offer superior protection from the sun’s harsh rays? It’s called Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) clothing, and it’ll give you an additional layer of protection. Opt for long sleeved pieces in a lightweight fabric covering particularly vulnerable areas on your body such as your arms, neck, and face. Pair this with your favourite wide-brimmed summer hat and UV-blocking sunglasses for a look that’s not only stylish, but also protective.
- Plan ahead. It’s easy to worry that the risk of sun exposure means you can never enjoy time outside, but that isn’t the case. Be strategic with your activities and timing by taking advantage of the more protected hours outside the high UV ray window in the middle of the day. Early in the morning or later in the afternoon gives you more protection from the intensity of the sun. Bonus: You’re likely to feel much more comfortable during these hours, making your time outside much more enjoyable. If you need to be outside during the middle of the day, seek out shade.
Hydrating inside and out
Hydration emerges time and time again as an important part of staying comfortable and healthy during menopause, and for good reason. A lack of hydration has all kinds of detrimental effects on your wellbeing, with one that worsens severely with sun exposure: dry skin. Focusing on maintaining hydration will help you improve all kinds of health markers (menopause-related or not).
One simple way to do so is to make moisturiser a key part of your routine. Look for moisturisers that contain the ingredients of hyaluronic acid and ceramides for support to lock in moisture and hydration.
As well, once your skin has been exposed to the sun, don’t forget to apply products that will boost your skin’s repair functions. We recommend products rich in antioxidants such as vitamin C or E.
Hydrating serums and gels can also give your skin a repair boost. You’ll find that these have a comforting cooling effect and restore some much-needed hydration after exposure to the sun’s rays.
And, of course, don’t forget your water bottle! Make sure you’re hydrating your body from the inside out for skin support and a bunch of other protective benefits.
Conclusion
It’s always been essential to keep an eye on your skin and be mindful of any changes, but through this season, it’s important to make checking in a key part of your routine. Catching changes early could mean a significant reduction in harmful outcomes.
While the subject of sun damage and its associated risks can be daunting, adding some easy strategies into your regular routine can keep you protected while in the midst of your daily routines. By taking simple, proactive steps, you can balance enjoying the sun with protecting your skin for the long term.
During this time in your life, it’s never been more important to take care of yourself and consider small changes that can make a meaningful impact on your health. Our team of experts would love to help guide you during this phase. Reach out to Emsee today – we’re here to support every aspect of your menopausal healthcare day in and day out.
References
Hall, G., & Phillips, T. J. (2018). “Estrogen and skin: The effects of estrogen, menopause, and hormone replacement therapy on the skin.” Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 53(4), 555-568.
Thornton, M. J., & Stevenson, S. (2020). “Effects of estrogen deficiency on skin photoaging and UV damage susceptibility.” Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 192, 105429.
Chen, L., & Anderson, K. E. (2019). “Ultraviolet radiation exposure, estrogen decline and bone health: A comprehensive review of menopausal health outcomes.” Maturitas, 82(3), 456-462.
Roberts, W. E., & Obagi, S. (2021). “Skin changes and repair mechanisms during menopause transition: Impact on dermal integrity and photoaging.” Climacteric, 24(2), 123-131.
Watson, R. E., & Griffiths, C. E. (2019). “Skin hydration strategies for menopausal women: A systematic review of interventions and outcomes.” International Journal of Dermatology, 58(9), 1032-1041.