Menopause Treatment for Skin and Weight Loss with Dr Aishah

Menopause brings a host of changes for women as oestrogen levels drop from perimenopause to almost zero at menopause. There is common knowledge about symptoms such as hot flashes, mood and energy changes, and increased tummy fat. But few realise the profound changes that occur to your skin, resulting in rapid ageing as women transition from perimenopause to menopause.

Dr. Aishah provides consultations and treatment planning for perimenopausal and menopausal skin changes and weight gain. She consults across the full range of menopause changes: ageing skin changes, weight gain, hair loss, and decreased muscle mass.

Meet Dr Anastasia

Dr. Anastasia is passionate about the holistic approach to cosmetic medicine and anti-aging.

She is particularly interested in perimenopause and menopause-related changes in skin, hair, and body health.

Anastasia also offers consultations on medical weight loss (menopausal and general) and advice on keeping the weight off and building a strong, healthy body.

She consults anti-aging, wrinkle treatment, and skin rejuvenation and performs Tixel treatments, including glass medifacial. 

As women transition into menopause, they often experience various skin changes, including:

1. General intrinsic ageing is caused by lower collagen levels, which result in wrinkles, lines, and sagging due to reduced elasticity and decreased skin collagen levels as women transition from perimenopause to menopause.
2. This is superimposed by extrinsic skin ageing, caused by changes in the sun, pollution, stress, poor sleep, diet, and lifestyle choices that accentuate skin ageing. These changes are worse in sun-exposed areas, including increased wrinkles and changes in skin texture.
3. Dryness: increased dryness and itchiness. The dryness is largely due to alterations in skin barrier function, including raised pH, decreased cholesterol levels, changes to oil levels in the skin, and increased water loss. (T.E.W.L)
4. Increase inflammation and skin sensitivity: Skin may become more sensitive due to impaired barrier function and chronic low-grade inflammation. This chronic inflammation results directly from oestrogen loss (oestrogen is anti-inflammatory in the skin) and intrinsic ageing changes, including increased senescent cells, mitochondria dysfunction, and loss of proteostasis in the skin.
5. Changes in the skin microbiome, oil levels, and pH impair skin barrier function, making the skin more alkaline and inflammaging.
6. Perimenopausal Acne: Hormonal fluctuations, including an imbalance between oestrogen and androgen levels, can lead to breakouts. Spironolactone, oestrogen, and skin care that targets acneic skin can address perimenopausal acne.
7. Changes to fat distribution in the body include decreased fat in the hands, changes in the distribution of fat in the face, and increased abdominal and visceral fat.
8. Redness: Hot flashes can cause temporary redness and flushing and may exacerbate rosacea.
9. Facial hair: Increased facial hair can occur due to hormonal shifts.
10. Hair loss: Thinning and changes in hair texture are also common due to an imbalance between oestrogen and androgen levels. Oestrogen replacement and the topical application of various hair tonics can address this. Practical solutions include minoxidil, caffeine, saw palmetto, and finasteride.

Revamp Your Skincare Routine

1. 1. Barrier repair is done to restore your skin’s structural protective barrier. (We provide the SKIN1004 Probio-Cica range.)
   2. Oestrogen replacement (essentially no cell in your body functions optimally without sufficient oestrogen, and your skin is no different) can be in the form of topical compounded creams such as 3% estriol cream or phytoestrogens (equol 4%). Resveratrol, daidzein, and genistein have all been shown to affect skin oestrogen receptors, though topical estriol is stronger! Dr Anastasia provides prescreens. 3 estriol cream in ceramide base.
   3. Decrease inflammation (think of anti-inflammatory plant derivatives, antioxidants and vitamins, probiotics and ferments)
   4. Sun damage repair Products that repair sun damage—prescription vitamin A remains the gold standard for anti-ageing and photodamage repair. Over-the-counter vitamin A, including retinol and retinaldehyde in higher concentrations, are reasonable; however, prescription vitamin A
   5. Correct pigmentation: Once again, prescription creams can provide superior coverage for certain types of pigmentation or redness; however, an extensive range of plant-derived antioxidants and vitamins effectively restore even skin tone.
   6. Correct perimenopausal acne: Prescription of oestrogen creams, spironolactone, and topical metformin, as well as topical elements such as salicylic acid, azelaic acid and antibacterial elements such as tea tree, Centella Asiatica
   7. Correct facial redness: anti-inflammatory and calming products, maintaining barrier and calm skin will help decrease redness from rosacea; also consider azelaic acid
   8. Concentrate on multitasking skin products that restore your natural skin barrier and decrease skin inflammation. These should be used alongside any prescription creams.
   9. Although any moisturiser is better than none, choosing products with appropriate ingredients protects your skin and decreases inflammation.
   10. We provide a range of Korean skin care products that repair barriers with a body-identical ratio of oils and correct pH. They also contain anti-inflammatory ferments and Centella Asiatica.

Skin1004 Probio-Cica and Centella ranges.

These contain all the ingredients you need to nurture resilient skin. From the Centella light cleansing oil and cleansing foam (which has pH 5 to assist in restoring your skin to a more acidic pH) to concentrates of anti-inflammatory and calming Centella Asiatica, probiotic ferments, and skin barrier restoration with ceramide, free fatty acid, and cholesterol in a 3:1 ratio—all at affordable prices.

Consider prescription corrective: Specific skin treatments include phytoestrogen and estriol creams. Dr. Anastasia prescribes estriol cream and topical retinol for anti-ageing, severe, and menopausal skin rescue, as well as pigment resolution. But you must have a consultation to ascertain your

Overhaul Your Body Care Routine

Do not use scented bath products that might irritate your skin; opt for gentle, barrier-friendly body wash and moisturisers. We recommend that Korean brands Illyoon or Atopalm have perfect Maltese cross-lipid MLE technology. Though there are many options in Korean skincare, they are masters of applying barrier repair and protection to everyday skin products. Applying a body moisturiser right after a shower can also help lock in moisture. Use Illyoon body wash and Illyoon body lotion as the perfect combo to maintain optimal skin barrier and microbiome health.

Protect Against Extrinsic Ageing

Sun protection is vital at all ages and protects against DNA damage and free radical production in the skin.

We stock a selection of Korean sunscreens designed to be cosmetically elegant and functional sun protection products. They can be used with makeup and skincare without the risk of pilling the product, and they contain a range of other natural skin anti-inflammatory products. Think centella asiatica, birch sap, niacinamide and ferments. However, these should be considered everyday skin care.

These products do not replace sun avoidance during high UV index (between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.), hats, umbrellas, and sunshades. Also, if you intend to spend time in the sun (going to the beach or picnicking in the park), we advise you to choose Australian sunscreens, which have the highest regulations in the world and are TGA-tested and approved for protection in our harsh sun climate.

Perimenopausal Breakout Care

Breakouts at perimenopause are caused by the relative imbalance of oestrogen and other hormones (androgens). As oestrogen plummets during this life stage. The balance between oestrogen and androgen changes. (This imbalance is also responsible for hair thinning at this time.) The way to address this is through the use of hormones that can rebalance; the addition of HRT, estriol cream, or prescription spironolactone can help.

For general skin care, we recommend adding gentle exfoliants and skincare specifically designed to treat acneic skin and decrease inflammation and sensitivity. These include azelaic, salicylic, niacinamide, and prescription vitamin A. We recommend a Korean skincare line. Skin 1004 Tica care. Prescription treatments. Before a prescription is issued, you need a consultation with Dr Anastasia for a complete assessment of changes.

More Than Skin Deep

The changes your skin undergoes during hormonal shifts are often dismissed as merely aesthetic concerns rather than recognised as indicators for hormone replacement therapy. This viewpoint is problematic, as skin, hair, and weight alterations can significantly affect your quality of life. Moreover, emerging evidence suggests that these skin changes are linked to systemic inflammation and may even contribute to conditions like osteopenia.

Weight fluctuations, particularly the visceral and abdominal fat increase, can have profound systemic effects, heightening the risk of chronic diseases. It’s crucial to acknowledge that these changes are not just skin-deep; they reflect more profound health implications that warrant attention and care.

Your Journey, Your Choice: Celebrating Beauty at Every Age

Women’s appearance is an essential aspect of their identity, and every woman deserves the right to invest in how she looks and feels. While not everyone prioritises external appearance (this is ok, too), embracing our choices and taking control of our image is empowering.

Society often puts immense pressure on younger women to uphold specific beauty standards, but when women reach menopause, the importance of this can diminish unjustly.

Many women want to maintain vibrant skin and overall health during this transformative phase of life. Options are available for women experiencing perimenopausal and menopausal skin changes. The power of choice and the ability to feel beautiful at every stage of life should be celebrated!

Oestrogen plays a vital role in maintaining skin health. In younger women, higher oestrogen levels keep the skin plump and hydrated by promoting collagen and natural oil production. However, as menopause approaches and oestrogen levels decline, these protective effects diminish. Changes in circulation can lead to reduced blood flow to the skin, further complicating skin health during this transitional period. Navigating menopause can be challenging, especially when it comes to skin changes. However, understanding what to expect and how to care for your skin can make a significant difference. Taking proactive steps can help you maintain your best skin during this life transition.

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) for Skin Changes

Yes, HRT can be beneficial. Studies have shown that oestrogen can reduce menopause-related skin changes, including the decline in collagen and glycosaminoglycan levels. However, HRT isn’t prescribed for cosmetic reasons; it’s usually used to address symptoms like sleep disturbances, mood swings, and hot flashes. You can use topical treatment in addition to HRT, and Dr Anastasia can work alongside your Menopause doctor of GP.

Help for Perimenopausal and Menopausal Weight Gain

In recent years, weight loss treatments have become a hot topic. They promise to help with multiple chronic conditions (diabetes, obesity, fatty liver, and many more). A new class of medications has been developed and may assist in weight loss associated with menopause.

These treatments must be prescribed and monitored by Dr Anastasia. From the outset, determine your suitability and dive into the details to help you understand the pros and cons of these treatments and how they might support you during menopause weight loss. Dr Anastasia is passionate about holistic weight loss, detailed knowledge of nutrients and diet, exercise, and strength training, and how this assists with weight loss and supports skin health.

Help for Peri|Menopausal Skin and Weight Changes

Dr. Aishah provides consultations and treatment planning for perimenopausal and menopausal skin changes and weight gain. She consults across the full range of menopause changes: ageing skin changes, weight gain, hair loss, and decreased muscle mass.