5 Ways Menopause Changes Your Skin (with Solutions!), from a Cosmetic Surgeon

There are some changes we expect with menopause (we're looking at you, hot flashes)—but you may not realize your skin can undergo a transformation, too.

African American woman in her daily skin care routine in the bathroom.
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Currently, there are 27 million people in the US experiencing menopause, according to the Society for Human Resource Management. Signs of menopause vary, inside and out, from hot flashes to mood swings, fatigue, and more…but if your skin has been changing too, that could be thanks to menopause, as well.

As a nationally-recognized, board-certified plastic surgeon (known as “America’s Holistic Plastic Surgeon” to 10 million followers on TikTok), I shared with The Healthy @Reader’s Digest five major changes your skin can undergo during menopause—and how I suggest treating them.

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bruised knee
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Easy bruising

If you’ve noticed more bruises appearing on your body, you’re not imagining things. The skin loses 30% of its collagen during the first five years of menopause, causing the skin to become thinner and more prone to showing bruises.

To help treat this, I suggests taking a collagen supplement. Studies show hydrolyzed collagen supplements can thicken the collagen of the skin.

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Close up shot of senior couple holding hands
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Age spots

These spots can begin to show up more and more—and are a likely consequence of UV damage from long ago. Use a brightening cream containing niacinamide or kojic acid, and combine with a good sunblock each day.

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Pretty Woman Applying Face Cream on her Neck
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Sagging skin of the face and neck

Sagging skin on your face or neck can be another consequence of losing collagen as you go through menopause. To help treat this, incorporate a retinol cream into your nightly skincare routine. Studies show it can thicken the dermis of the skin.

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Black mature woman applying hand cream
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Dry skin

Due to the hormonal changes that come with menopause you may notice your skin getting drier. This is perfectly normal! I recommend moisturizing in the morning and at night to keep your skin hydrated. After bathing, apply moisturizer within two minutes of getting out of the shower to lock the moisture in.

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Adult woman looking at her gray hair in the mirror
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Thinning hair

Thinning hair can happen because of lost estrogen during menopause. I suggest taking a supplement for thinning hair, using low light laser therapy, and applying minoxidil for women or topical rosemary oil onto the scalp to help thicken the hair.

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Anthony Youn, M.D. F.A.C.S
Known as America's Holistic Plastic Surgeon®, Anthony Youn, M.D. F.A.C.S is a nationally-recognized, board-certified plastic surgeon. Recognized as a leader in his field, he is the author of the best-selling books ``The Age Fix: A Leading Plastic Surgeon Reveals How To Really Look Ten Years Younger," "In Stitches: A Memoir," and “Playing God: The Evolution of a Modern Surgeon.” His public television special, The Age Fix with Dr. Anthony Youn, has been viewed by millions. Dr. Youn also hosts the popular podcast The Holistic Plastic Surgery Show. He is a social media personality, with over 2.9 million subscribers on his YouTube Channel and 10 million followers on TikTok which also has over 217 million views. Dr. Youn serves as the Assistant Professor of Surgery at Oakland University / William Beaumont School of Medicine. Dr. Youn has been featured on many National outlets such as, Good Morning America, CBS The Doctors, The Today Show, Newsweek, Men's Health, HLN's Michaela, and many more.