Glowing the Distance

Skincare, aesthetics and wellness practitioner Dr Yusra Al-Mukhtar looks at skin-related and psychological concerns of perimenopausal and menopausal women, as found in Glowing the Distance: Menopause Skin Report

Thanks to the efforts of organisations such as The Menopause Charity, backed by high-profile campaigners like Davina McCall and Dr Louise Newson, recent years have seen more widespread awareness of menopause and its 38 mental health and physical symptoms. More women are beginning to share first-hand experiences of this transitional stage of their lives at home, in relationships and at work, and I welcome the shift in attitudes and perceptions around normalising this life phase.

It’s estimated that 15.5 million women across the UK are at some stage of the menopause transition. Many of them experience symptoms without even realising what is causing them. Women aged 40-44 can experience perimenopause and menopause can occur between 44-63 for a duration of up to four to 10 years.

The previous taboo around menopause has meant that conversations in the media about identifying issues and treatment have been long overdue. Indeed – often conversations don’t take place among women until symptoms start.

There is a gap in knowledge between generations, with younger women aged 18-44 having lower levels of awareness and not engaging with older women in their lives about the changes they are experiencing as a result. Female friendships are the primary source of support and empathy; beyond this, women describe a lack of support from their employers, families, and healthcare professionals.

Furthermore, 64% of women feel uncomfortable speaking to healthcare professionals about menopause, stating that they have often had their symptoms dismissed.

“80% OF WOMEN FEEL UNPREPARED”

Of the 2,069 UK women aged 18-74 surveyed in my report ‘Glowing the Distance: Menopause Skin Report’, almost two-thirds (63%) didn’t realise signs can take hold ten years before their last period. Eight in ten women (80%) said they feel “unprepared”, compared to just 17% of women who claim to know how to prevent the signs of perimenopause and menopause on the skin and body.

As women learn more about this life stage, it is understandable that they are fearful and have increased questions about what to expect. We have coined the term “peri-scaries” after recognising a common theme of concern from pre and perimenopausal women of what is to come. It seems in the eyes of so many, there exists a fear that this stage marks “the beginning of the end”, and we hope to empower women with education to recognise this is not the case and allow them to take ownership of this next life change armed with knowledge and confidence to write their own story and access care and treatments, if required.

BETTER EDUCATION WILL LEAD TO PREVENTATIVE ACTION

I am calling for better education on the signs of menopause onset. By gaining knowledge, women can become empowered to take control early on in the journey, preventing symptoms that can wreak havoc on the mind, skin and body.

Awareness then needs to make way for preventative action. I work with patients to provide non-invasive aesthetic treatments using cutting-edge technologies and medical-grade skincare to prevent and delay the signs of menopause-related skin changes. My survey tells us that women are prepared to adapt their skincare regimens and embrace treatments to prevent the onset of symptoms. Their desire is present, but their knowledge and preparation are not. As with all things healthcare, women need to know what options are available to them to approach this phase of their life with preventative action, proactively, rather than reactively.

Lessons from my previous research findings published in the post-pandemic skincare report Beautified Britain Index: The Skin Report have been incorporated, as well as positive and empowering solutions to menopause skin issues, including how to prepare for menopausal skin, what to expect, treatment and ‘tweakments’ available and how to approach menopausal health, vitality and well-being holistically.

IMPACTS OF MENOPAUSE ON SKIN AND MENTAL HEALTH

Our study found that the most common signs and symptoms of perimenopause and menopause that women of all ages would be keen to prevent are:

• Increased sweating (51%)

• Sagging of the face contours, cheekbones and jaw/neck area (38%)

• Increase in fine lines and wrinkles (33%)

• Acne breakouts (32%)

• Dark circles around the eyes/dark spots on the face and body (29%)

• Dry, itchy, red/puffy skin (28%)

• Loss of radiance and dull skin (25%).

Menopause affects the body in various ways, and we know that overall, menopause impacts both physical and mental health.

One of the most common symptoms of menopause is loss of confidence and worsening anxiety. When asked about the psychosocial impacts of potential or experienced skin issues caused by perimenopause or how menopause might affect respondents, the results demonstrated:

• 57% said that they feel anxious and stressed

• 45% no longerlike having photos taken orbeing in family photos

• 48% avoid going out and social events

• 42% feel more sadness

• 43% avoid looking in the mirror and 58% are generally lacking in confidence.

Skin and confidence are inextricably linked and, if treated preventatively and empowered with knowledge women could take on this stage of their life, with positivity in ageing and proactively embrace preventative medically proven skincare. This would mean improved skin health and tackling skin-related concerns to better manage the menopause skin journey.

TOP PREVENTATIVE TREATMENTS

When asked what preventative actions women would consider, a third of women (33%) said they would consider any nonsurgical cosmetic treatment to help them look and feel better.

The top non-invasive/non-surgical treatments that respondents would consider to prevent the signs and symptoms of perimenopause and menopause are:

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 /skin boosters) (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 facelift for skin tightening and reduction of jowls and double chin (14%)

7. Micro-needling radiofrequency for collagen stimulation, pore refinement, and skin texture improvement (13%)

8. High-intensity focused ultrasound to non-surgically tighten face (12%).

CHANGING THE NARRATIVE

I strongly believe that the narrative around dealing with perimenopause and menopause symptoms should move towards prevention. This is not debatable in all other aspects of health or age-related diseases so why should it be for this one? From my many years of experience treating women with symptoms, I know that many consider their feelings of stress, overwhelm and anxiety to be directly linked to the changes they see within themselves.

If women are more informed about how to prevent signs and symptoms on the skin and body before they occur, facing their fears with information and knowledge, they can improve their relationship with menopause, whether they choose to pursue treatments.

For more information on ‘Glowing the Distance: Menopause Skin Report’, go to: https://dryusra.com/menopause-skin-report/