Changes to our skin and hair are inevitable, but for women going through menopause the drop in oestrogen can bring some particularly noticeable changes to your skin.
Wrinkles, pigmentation, thinning hair and unwanted facial hair can all become more apparent as we get older, but as women hit menopause, or even perimenopause, some skin issues we thought were a thing of that past come back.
While some might think that because we had acne as teens, that's why it comes back during menopause, but actually, it's more likely that skin conditions like eczema will reoccur.
Professor Caitriona Ryan is a consultant dermatologist with the Institute of Dermatology was chatting to Ciara Doherty on The Pat Kenny Show and explained why these skin issues occur.
She explained: "So with the acne, no, not related [to menopause]. Actually, it's similar to when women are pregnant, some people can never have had acne in their lives and then develop during pregnancy.
"The hormonal changes trigger a sort of different type of acne almost in some people. When it comes to the dryness or the eczema, though, you're completely right.
"So if someone already has a baseline of having dry skin or a tendency towards eczema, once their lipid barrier diminishes, then they get drier again.
"And you'll often see it on the lower legs, the back, the skin becomes a little bit more itchy. So it's time at that stage to start using body moisturiser as well.
It can be really simple, [to find creams that help]. It's keeping it basic and changing things to gentler products, you know, hydrating cleansers.
"The two key products that I always talk about, are my non-negotiables for my patients, especially my cosmetic patients who are coming in looking for injectables and that sort of thing.
"I say, if you are not using a zinc containing serum in the morning and a retinoid, you're doing yourself a disservice."
As for hair loss, it's said that around 50% of women by their 60s will experience hair-thinning, like men do, and similarly it's androgen triggered.
As the hair follicle starts to miniaturise, it will eventually involute and go away leaving no follicle opening on the skin.
Once there's no "opening" there, the hair cannot come back again. So, if you want to intervene, you have to do so in the early stages, ideally.
She continued: "The easiest thing for women who are worried about it, topical minoxidil, it's over the counter and makes it can make a really big difference. If you get in there early enough, you can stop it from happening.
"If women are concerned, obviously go to your GP or a dermatologist. But we have a host of oral medications that we use now as well and it can be life changing for women.
"I don't think anyone understands hair loss properly or the impact on someone psychologically until they see it themselves. Our hair is our crowning glory."
Main image: woman hides face behind her hand and hair, Picture by: Peter Glass/Design Pics via ZUMA Wire
