Sydney specialist dermatologist Dr Ritu Gupta was on ABC 702 Radio with Kathryn Robinson for her expert take on skin and hair changes during menopause and perimenopause.
Menopause affects the entire body, but it’s more significant in the hair and skin. Dr Ritu mentioned thinning of the upper skin and fat layers, loss of muscle structure, and overall dryness as oil glands reduce their function.
Women also experience changes in the volume of hair and thinning. If you’re experiencing hair loss, it’s best to see a GP to check for underlying conditions such as thyroid or iron deficiency. Those who experience hair changes during menopause can use practical strategies such as avoiding overstyling their hair and heat from styling tools. Treatments are readily available, including topical minoxidil and other prescription medications; meanwhile, taking supplements is not recommended if an individual has a healthy diet or is generally healthy.
Dr Ritu explained that we experience micro changes in the skin daily and will notice a major change every seven years. By the time we are in the menopausal stage, these changes become exacerbated by hormonal shifts and other environmental factors. She recommended ways to prepare the skin for menopause, highlighting the use of sunscreen to prevent ongoing skin ageing and malignant skin cancers.
She also mentioned using nourishing moisturisers, specifically the non-fragrant ones, to enhance skin barrier function. Topical hyaluronic acid is a good intracellular moisturiser, according to Dr Ritu, with the ability to improve skin elasticity, including the skin lining of the vagina.
For actual menopausal symptoms, Dr Ritu suggests going to a GP. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is a very common treatment for menopause symptoms and can greatly help with the hair and skin. Also, various skin conditions can become worse during menopause, including acne, eczema, and rosacea, and HRT treatment tends to darken age spots, similar to the darkening of moles during pregnancy.
Dr Ritu answered questions from listeners, including calls and texts about longitudinal ridges of ageing in the nails, the use of Aloe vera on hair and skin, about menopausal moustache, and vaginal itching. Dr Ritu recommended pelvic floor exercises to a caller who asked about urinary incontinence during menopause, encouraging the use of a new treatment available in her clinic that strengthens the pelvic floor with 11000 contractions.
Listen to the full interview at https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/sydney-afternoons/ask-the-arvos-dermatologist/107103302
To consult with Dr Ritu, please make an enquiry online, WhatsApp at 0493 766 096, or call (02) 8014 6500.
