Collagen drops at a rate of 2% per year and it is estimated that the overall collagen can decrease as much as 30% in the first 5 years of menopause. Chief Scientific Officer Eve Casha, MSC in Pharmaceutical formulation, provides top tips for post-menopausal skin and hair care.
The ageing process is extraordinarily complex, and results from UV radiation, pollution and stress, extrinsic ageing, as well as genetics and hormones, intrinsic ageing.
Menopause causes a significant increase in intrinsic ageing in women because post-menopause, women suffer a massive drop in estrogen. This hormone plays a role in various processes throughout the body, and its receptors (ERα + ERβ) are found in multiple cell types. For example, within the skin, estrogen can bind and influence cells such as epidermal keratinocytes, dermal fibroblasts, and melanocytes.
Eve Casha, Chief Scientific Officer at Dermoi and MSC in Pharmaceutical formulation, shares tips for post-menopausal skin and hair care.
Boost collagen production with advanced skincare and skin supplements
Collagen is the main structural protein within the skin that keeps it firm. Post-menopause, a decrease in estrogen is linked with a drop in collagen content in the skin. Collagen drops at a rate of 2% per year, and it is estimated that the overall collagen can decrease as much as 30% in the first 5 years of menopause. This dramatic change reduces skin elasticity, causing wrinkles and sagging. In addition, the skin starts to become thin.
Investing in advanced cosmeceutical skincare that can stimulate the production of collagen from cells called fibroblasts this help preserve collagen and reduce wrinkling. Topical products containing vitamin A and peptide-based technologies or nutraceutical supplements with bioavailable collagen peptides and vitamin C are scientifically proven to do this.
Expert recommends Emepelle Serum, Night Cream, Evenswiss Rejuvenating Serum and Skinade Collagen Drink.
Intensely hydrate the skin with oil-based and water-based hydrators
Estrogen helps maintain moisture levels in the skin. This is because it can increase skin sebum levels by regulating growth factors. As estrogen drops post-menopause, the skin can become very dry and dull. There is a decrease of hydrophilic molecules within the dermis called glycosaminoglycans. These molecules bind and store water; therefore, it is common for post-menopausal skin to have low water content.
Topical skincare can supply the skin with glycosaminoglycan molecules or other water-binding actives to plump the skin and restore water content. Good examples are hydrating serums containing multiple molecular weights of hyaluronic acid. In addition, following hydrating serums with oil-based moisturizers with skin barrier repair lipids such as ceramides, fatty acids, or niacinamide will improve the skin’s ability to trap moisture.
Expert recommends: PCA Skin Hyaluronic Acid Boosting Serum followed by Evenswiss Rich Regenerating Cream.
Protect the skin with active anti-inflammatory ingredients
After menopause, the skin also has a decreased ability to defend itself against environmental stressors and can reduce wound healing capacity. The skin shows a decrease in anti-inflammatory proteins TGF-B1 and IGF-1 and can often become chronically inflamed.
Antioxidants and active anti-inflammatory ingredients such as vitamin C, vitamin E, glutathione, resveratrol, and co-enzyme Q10 can help boost the skin’s defence against environmental stressors and prevent inflammation. In addition, such activity will help reduce inflammation and create a supple complexion.
Antioxidants can be unstable molecules and should be formulated into sophisticated cosmeceutical formulations to preserve their potency. This can be done with topical skincare and skin supplements.
Expert recommends Calecim Night Recovery Complex, Codex Beauty Antu Brightening Serum, Altrient Liposomal Glutathione and Skinade Derma Defence A&D.
Stimulate the hair growth Cycle with next-generation technologies
Estrogen can act on the hair follicle. It can increase the hair growth phase of the hair cycle and decrease the resting stage. After menopause, when estrogen drops, it is very common to see thinning hair.
New generation hair care and hair supplements will use active ingredients that are clinically proven to bind to the hair follicle and stimulate hair growth. Examples include extracts from pea sprouts which can influence the gene expression of hair growth or advanced peptides such as Dermatopoietin by Evenswiss that signal the hair follicle from the skin’s surface.
Expert recommends scientifically-studied products as Visa Glow Hairology and the Evenswiss Haircare Collection.
