Skin Health at EVERY Age
Article by Georga Holt
SKIN THROUGH THE AGES: (adolescence, pregnancy, menopausal & post menopause)
Throughout our life, we are faced with many changes to our health, both internally and externally. Our skin is commonly the most spoken about change that we come across, as we can physically see and touch it. From puberty to post menopause, our skin provides us an insight into what is going on internally.
puberty
As puberty sets in, there are usually clear physical signs that your body is going through a transitional period. For some, it’ll appear on your skin and in quite an inflammatory way. Why is this? During this transition, our hormones become more active. The transition from childhood to puberty can be characterized by the increased release of gonadotropins by the pituitary gland which is responsible for the production of oestrogen and androgen.
The hormone that is at the forefront of the changes within the skin, is our androgens. As our androgen levels rise in this phase, they are responsible for the excessive promotion of sebum (oil) production in our skin which can lead to clogged pores resulting in acne formation.
Additionally, changes in our body and our hormones at this time can also alter our dietary behaviors. Research has found that the combination of increased androgens paired with a higher GI inflammatory diet can cause a favorable environment for bacteria colonization and acne formation.
What can you do if you or your child is going through this transition? Try to ensure they are following a wholefood diet with fiber, protein & fats in each meal. If needed, reach out for support from a Naturopath or Nutritionist to support their body during this period.
pregnancy
Pregnancy and the changes to our body are different for everyone. When we specifically look at the skin, common changes can be Melasma, spider veins, varicose veins and of course that beautiful pregnancy glow.
The ‘glow’ that everyone hopes for during pregnancy can be due to the hormonal changes our bodies go through. Progesterone, estrogen & HCG can be to thank for this. Progesterone naturally supports our natural oil production which can lead to that radiant glow. Whilst Oestrogen can improve collagen production and HCG is supportive of our blood volume which will improve circulation, oxygenation and nutrient transport to the skin cells.
Melasma, or also known as hyperpigmentation, is one of the more common skin changes in pregnancy. This can be due to elevated levels of Melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH), Oestrogen & progesterone.
If you are experiencing skin changes that require further support, work with a Naturopath, skin therapist or nutritionist to support you through pregnancy and postpartum.
menopause & post menopause
Once again, this time in everyone's life can look a little differently. Some will experience very gradual physical changes, whilst others will experience quite rapid changes. Hormones and lifestyle factors can be responsible for this. Menopause generally causes changes to the skin such as wrinkling, saggy, dryness and structural changes such as thinning of the skin.
Collagen, one of the key components of our skin, is lost at an increasing rate from the onset of menopause. Collagen is responsible for the firmness and elasticity of the skin, which can explain why our skin feels as though it has lost that ability to bounce back like it once had.
Hormonally speaking, oestrogen levels are on a decline in this period of our life. The impact that has on our skin is that it decreases the production of glycosaminoglycans in the dermal layer in the skin, which means decreased collagen and elastin production. Loss of oestrogen is also responsible for the degradation and fragmentation of elastic fibers in the dermal layer, therefore resulting in thinning of the epidermis.
Once we reach the post-menopausal stage of life, we are left with decreased oestrogen levels, ultimately meaning our collagen and elastin production has significantly slowed down.
Whilst a lot of the above is natural in it’s process and can’t be stopped, there are so many lifestyle factors that we can incorporate into our daily routines to help us age well. Supplementing with certain nutrients to support your skin health can be wonderful at this stage in our life, as well as ensuring our daily food intake is meeting our required needs. A easy way to do this is to ensure you can identify fats, carbohydrates, protein and fibre in every meal.