Issue link: https://www.ascpskindeepdigital.com/i/225798
Perimenopausal skin can be difficult to treat because the hormonal shifts do not follow a set pattern. Estrogen levels peak during menstruation, leaving the skin clear of breakouts, then begin to decline on day seven of the menstrual cycle, allowing testosterone to become more dominant. With more testosterone comes increased oil production. On days 15–28, estrogen continues to decrease, while progesterone begins to increase. This is the time of the month acne breakouts are most likely to occur: as progesterone rises, the follicle walls swell, trapping excess sebum and cell debris in an anaerobic environment— conditions in which acne bacteria thrive. Perimenopause, when a woman's fertility begins to decline, can start as early as 35. During this stage, there are volatile hormonal shifts in the rise and fall of estrogen and progesterone. This constant fluctuation creates a multitude of unwanted changes. Melasma can return or worsen, and acne breakouts can surge. Perimenopausal skin can be difficult to treat because the hormonal shifts do not follow a set pattern. Menopause marks the end of fertility. The age at which it occurs depends on many factors: diet, genetics, health, and lifestyle. Menopause brings a significant decrease in estrogen. This often leads to surface dryness, which traps sebum beneath the skin and provides a perfect environment for acne breakouts. The hormonal shift can also cause melasma and other pigmentation changes, as well as the textural changes and wrinkling that come with collagen and elastin breakdown. Get connected to your peers @ www.skincareprofessionals.com 17