Menopause is a time of great changes to the body that no woman wants to experience. As if hot flashes that cause night sweats is not enough, now you are plagued with dry skin. Why does it happen during menopause?
Dry skin can be defined as excessive dryness of the skin often looking flaky, red or bumpy. As we age, our ability to produce natural skin oils declines. This can lead to tightness in the skin and itching. Most often our hands, face, arms and legs are most effected, but it can happen anywhere on the body. In some, it affects them only during the winter months, making problems only temporary and mild. Others suffer from dry skin year round, making more severe cases that can require a quick trip to the doctors for an ointment that will stop it from becoming an increasing problem.
Menopause commonly affects women between the ages of 40 through 60. This is known as a decline in the hormone production of estrogen, your ovaries no longer release eggs and periods come to an end. Estrogen is one amazing hormone. It is responsible for the maturing of a girls body during puberty and it keeps a woman's bones strong. Estrogen is also responsible for collagen and natural oils that keep skin smooth. When estrogen begins to disappear, so does your bodies ability to retain moisture. Meaning that this decline of estrogen is what may be responsible for your dry skin.
There are ways to combat the loss of estrogen. It is amazing at how many dry skin solutions are on the market today and the advances they are making in repairing skin cells, giving a youthful glow.
Some changes that you can make today to start restoring your skin is to eat a smarter and healthier diet. Look for foods that are rich with essential fatty acids. Use sunscreen everyday, even is winter to protect you from harmful ultra violet rays. Take shorter showers and turn down the heat! While a hot, steamy shower may feel good, it stripes your body of natural body oils. Look for a gentle soap avoiding soaps that have strong scents, anti-bacterial in its name or is a deodorant soap. These can be harsh, striping your body of its oil barrier leaving skin drier than before. Don't forget to moisturize, this will allow you to trap moisture in.
A few other great ways to stop itchy dry skin is to use a gentle exfoliation system. You can find an abundance of natural exfoliants, such as the Baiden Mitten or the Ayate Scrub Mitt, to rejuvenate skin allowing for a more natural healing process. Home microdermabrasion systems can help, particularly in the T-zone where dry skin is more prominent. Ultra-Cleanse and Nutra Luxe offer home microdermabrasion kits at reasonable prices and are recommended by many estheticians.
Author: Kevin D. Flynn: Kevin.d.Flynn