It is time to get talking about Menopause! October is Menopause Awareness Month.
Since menopause is associated with ageing, there has always been lots of shame and embarrassment surrounding the topic. Those dealing with menopause often do it silently, without asking for help. The stigma can negatively affect wellbeing just as menopausal symptoms do, making it even harder for those going through the transition.
It is estimated that one third of the female population in the UK are currently perimenopausal or menopausal. As a skincare therapist, you are perfectly placed to educate, guide and help those suffering with the changes that occur. Together, we can empower - and remove the negativity surrounding menopause.
What Is Menopause?
Menopause is a natural transition, and a normal part of ageing that marks the end of having menstrual cycles. Generally, most people will begin the transition between the ages of 45 and 55, though factors other than age can influence the process. During the time leading up to menopause, lots of uncomfortable symptoms may be experienced. These effects can wreak havoc on the body, particularly the skin.
The 3 Stages of Menopause
Everyone’s menopause journey is unique, but most people transition through three stages. This process can take anywhere from 7 to 14 years. At every stage, lifestyle choices such as healthy nutrition, exercise, and tailored skincare can help manage symptoms and support wellbeing.
(1) Perimenopause
The first stage - perimenopause - typically lasts 3–5 years, although the timing can vary. For some, this stage is the most difficult to deal with. Hormone fluctuations cause irregular periods and can bring a wide range of skin challenges.
Perimenopause & The Skin
As oestrogen levels drop and surge unpredictably, the skin’s ability to retain water and lipids is reduced. Clients may experience symptoms such as dryness and dullness. A weakened barrier may also make the skin more sensitive and reactive, so redness and irritation are common. With reduced ceramides and oil production, flaking and itching may also occur, while breakouts can result from sudden hormone spikes.
(2) Menopause
Menopause is confirmed when 12 months have passed since the last menstrual period. By this point, up to 25% of skin collagen has been lost, which significantly changes the skin’s structure and appearance.
Menopause & The Skin
Clients will often notice that their skin feels thinner and less resilient, with a dull, lacklustre tone. The sharp decline in collagen and elastin causes fine lines and wrinkles to deepen, while sagging becomes more visible around the cheeks, jawline, and neck. With slower skin renewal, the complexion can look uneven or crepey. Many also experience increased facial hair growth due to shifting hormone balance. Overall, the skin looks and feels less supple, losing the “bounce back” it once had.
(3) Postmenopause
The postmenopause stage indicates the end of reproductive years. Symptoms usually ease during this stage. Collagen continues to decline, though at a slower rate (around 2% per year), meaning skin ageing continues to progress.
Postmenopause & The Skin
In postmenopause, cumulative changes are most visible. Fine lines become deeper wrinkles, while sagging and loss of firmness is more pronounced. Pigmentation, age spots, and uneven skin tone can appear as past sun damage resurfaces. The skin often feels much drier and more fragile, with a tendency towards thinning and broken capillaries. Healing is slower, so blemishes and marks linger longer, and the skin’s barrier function remains compromised, making it more sensitive to environmental stressors.
Managing Menopause Symptoms
These stages and symptoms can be a lot to take in, but it's not all doom and gloom. Having the facts means clients can take action to manage the impact of menopause. At SkinBase, we've got the solution your clients need to keep glowing into their 50s, 60s and beyond!
SkinBase Treatments for Menopausal Skin
Microdermabrasion & Menopause
Emphasise to clients how the combination of mature skin and decreased oestrogen means cell turnover decreases significantly. If it is taking twice as long to replenish skin cells, those dead skin cells are going to sit on the skin for longer. Therefore, when it comes to dull, dry, menopausal skin — exfoliation is key.
Microdermabrasion gently abrades away any dead cells, dirt, and debris off of the surface to freshen and smooth the complexion. Regardless of the stage of menopause clients are in, SkinBase Microdermabrasion can benefit the skin.
Microdermabrasion Benefits
Help your clients understand the benefits of incorporating microdermabrasion into their menopausal skincare routine.
- Incredibly effective – A large number of dead skin cells can be removed during a SkinBase Microdermabrasion, allowing an almost instant glow.
- Improves skin tone and texture – Tackles dryness, roughness, and fine lines for smoother, healthier skin.
- Enhanced product absorption – By exfoliating the top layer of skin, products can penetrate more effectively to hydrate and protect, for a softer feel and look.
- Encourages cell renewal and collagen production – The dual-action approach of exfoliation and vacuum suction stimulates skin cell turnover and boosts collagen for firmer skin.
Hydro & Menopause
During menopause, one of the biggest skin concerns is hydration. Falling oestrogen levels mean the skin struggles to hold on to moisture, often leaving it feeling dry, tight, and uncomfortable. Clients may also notice a dull complexion and increased sensitivity, making a nourishing, deeply hydrating treatment essential.
SkinBase Hydro is the perfect solution for replenishing menopausal skin. The treatment incorporates a natural blend of AHAs and BHAs to rid the skin of dead skin cells and debris, before an infusion of powerful ingredients are targeted into the skin with the use of a personalised serum. This dual action not only refreshes the complexion, but also strengthens the skin barrier, helping it to better retain hydration over time.
Hydro Benefits
Help your clients understand the benefits of incorporating Hydro into their menopausal skincare routine.
- Deep hydration boost – Ideal for combating the dryness and sensitivity caused by hormonal changes, with ingredients such as Hyaluronic Acid leaving skin soft, smooth, and comfortable.
- Gentle yet effective exfoliation – The hydro peel removes dead skin cells and impurities without irritation, making it suitable for fragile, menopausal skin.
- Radiance restoring – The treatment cleanses, exfoliates, hydrates and revitalises dull, lacklustre skin for a healthier glow.
- Barrier support – The personalised serum infusion, with ingredients such as Lactic Acid and Hydrolysed Soybean Extract strengthens the skin’s natural defences, reducing irritation and moisture loss.
- Enhanced product absorption – By exfoliating the top layer of skin, products can penetrate more effectively to hydrate and protect, for a softer feel and look.
Collagen Lift & Menopause
Collagen is the scaffolding of the skin and it rapidly depletes during menopause. This means the skin will be less supple, won’t bounce back as it once did, and it may develop a “crepey” texture. Areas can begin to sag, causing droopy jowls and under-eye bags.
SkinBase Collagen Lift is the perfect solution. The radio-frequency energy sculpts, tones, tightens, firms, and lifts the skin to achieve a more youthful appearance. As an added bonus, is a soothing, relaxing treatment, perfect for clients to enjoy a bit of “me time” while achieving long-lasting results.
Collagen Lift Benefits
Help your clients understand the benefits of incorporating Collagen Lift into their menopausal skincare routine. Collagen Lift is a treatment they can count on throughout each stage of menopause, to ensure confidence stays high.
- Incredibly effective – For some people, collagen fibres will respond instantly to treatment for an immediately visible tightening effect. For others, it will take more than 1 treatment for the skin to show visible results. All clients are different, and genetics plays a part. However the client's skin responds, after a course of treatments they will achieve fabulous results that last for up to two years.
- Collagen production – Stimulates the body’s natural wound-healing response, flooding the skin with fresh collagen to reduce sagging and wrinkles.
- Hyaluronic acid boost – Encourages the production of this natural “moisture magnet,” perfect for dehydrated, menopausal skin.
- Perfect for the face and body – As the skin reacts to hormone fluctuations during menopause, it is not only the face that feels the effects. CL is effective anywhere the skin has lost firmness, from the jowls to the arms or stomach.
Intense Pulsed Light & Menopause
Though oestrogen levels decline during menopause, testosterone tends to remains the same, which can trigger facial hair growth.
SkinBase IPL is the best treatment to get rid of unwanted hair, as well as treating vascular concerns, acne, pigmentation and sun damage, restoring clarity, smoothness, and confidence.
IPL Benefits
Help your clients understand the benefits of incorporating Intense Pulsed Light into their menopausal skincare routine.
- Perfect for a range of skin concerns – IPL tackles hair removal, pigmentation, acne, vascular issues, and sun damage.
- Non-invasive – When it comes to menopausal skin, the last thing you need is invasive, painful procedures. IPL is a comfortable treatment with a special cryo-cooling handset and soothing aloe vera gel.
- Sun damage repair – Reverses the appearance of sun spots, pigmentation, and fine lines to turn back the clock on ageing and restore a youthful appearance.
- Incredibly effective – Delivers excellent results in as few as 3–4 treatments.
Menopause Marketing
When it comes to getting clients into your business to treat menopause symptoms, remember that any communication should be positive and empowering, focusing on confidence and strength. Those in any stage of menopause do not need to hide it or be ashamed. Help them get back their glow.
There are lots of fabulous before-and-after images and menopause-related testimonials available for use across your social media. The best way to show clients how the treatments will rejuvenate their appearance (and confidence!) is to let them see and hear from others who have already experienced the benefits.
On The Blog
Here are a few links to some of our previous blogs around the topic of menopause.
Remember, you can copy and paste any wording from any of these resources to use in your own posts!