Friday, August 1, 2014

Diminishing the Physical Signs of Menopause

In menopausal women, the skin secretes less oil, making it dehydrated and less supple. It also becomes thinner and more fragile. Loss of elasticity – combined with the breakdown of firmness-promoting proteins collagen and elastin – leads to lines and wrinkles.

"Menopausal skin generally needs a heavier moisturizer," says Hilary Baldwin, M.D., associate professor and vice chair of the department of dermatology at SUNY (State University of New York) Downstate in Brooklyn.

"Moisturizer fills in the valleys between skin cells and does away with surface dryness," she says. "Whatever you used before, jack it up a bit – switch from a lotion to a cream or from a cream to a balm."

Look for moisturizers with study-proven additives, such as topical niacinamide, soy isoflavones, antioxidants such as alpha-lipoic acid and vitamins A, C and E, lycopene, beta-carotene, and selenium, according to NYU Langone Medical Center.

But some widely touted ingredients have shown no benefit in studies. These include green tea, aloe, arnica, calendula, chamomile, and Dead Sea minerals, says NYU Langone Medical Center.

"Topical retinols and antioxidants are evidence-based, effective treatments for signs of aging," says Sandra Read, M.D., a Washington, D.C.-based dermatologist.

Doctors also recommend these dry-skin remedies ^[1].

Also eat a skin-healthy diet ^[2]. Fill your grocery cart (and feed your face) with carrots, apricots, and other yellow and orange fruits. Also consume spinach and green leafy veggies, tomatoes and blueberries, suggests the Mayo Clinic.

But avoid processed foods and refined carbs, because they speed up skin aging.