Skin Care and Medical Aesthetics at 50 and Beyond: Menopause, Skin Cancer Checks and the Right Choices

Menopause and the skin

The decrease in the hormone oestrogen with menopause can lead to noticeable changes in the skin. Collagen loss speeds up at this stage; the skin becomes thinner, drier and loses more of its elasticity. Some women notice that their skin has become more sensitive and that it reddens or itches easily. Wound healing may also be slower than before.

In men, hormonal changes progress more slowly; however, similar skin changes are also seen in them with age. In both sexes, sun damage accumulated over the years becomes more visible at this stage as pigment spots, wrinkles and deterioration in skin texture.

Options such as hormone therapy for menopausal symptoms may also affect some skin changes; however, these treatments are assessed for general health and menopausal symptoms, not for the skin. You need to make this decision together with your gynaecologist or your family doctor.

What should change in your skin care?

For skin that is becoming thinner and drier, the aim of skin care is to support the skin’s protective barrier and reduce irritation.

• Choose gentle, non-drying cleansers instead of soap; avoid very hot water.
• After washing your face and body, apply a rich moisturiser while your skin is still slightly damp.
• Keep using a broad-spectrum sunscreen every day. At this age, sun protection remains important both for pigment spots and for the risk of skin cancer.
• Retinoids can still be used at this age; however, because the skin may be more sensitive, it is advisable to start at a low frequency and to consult a physician.
• If itching, redness or flaking does not go away, see a physician rather than changing products on your own; these may be signs of a condition that needs treatment, such as eczema.

You can also find information on the basic steps of skin care and on the use of retinoids in our articles “Skin Care and Medical Aesthetics in Your 30s” and “Skin Care and Medical Aesthetics in Your 40s”.

Skin cancer checks: the issue that comes before aesthetics

Skin cancers become more common with age, and the great majority appear on areas exposed to the sun. When they are detected early, they are usually easier to treat. This is why, after the age of 50, it is advisable to check your skin regularly and to show any new or changing spot to a dermatologist without delay.

Going over all of your skin once a month, in good light and with the help of a mirror, makes it easier to notice a change early. For areas you cannot see, such as your back, you can ask someone close to you for help.

Before having laser, a peel or any other procedure to lighten or remove a spot, the spot must have been assessed by a dermatologist. Treating a spot that has not been assessed can delay the detection of a possible skin cancer. For information on types of spots, see our article “Dark Spots and Melasma”.

If you are considering a procedure: discuss your medicines and your health

In this age group, regular use of medicines and chronic diseases are more common. These can affect whether a procedure is suitable for you, its risk and the recovery process. At the examination, be sure to tell your physician about:

• Blood-thinning (anticoagulant) medicines and medicines that affect blood clotting, such as aspirin: these can increase the risk of bruising and bleeding.
• Herbal products and food supplements: some can increase the tendency to bleed.
• Chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and autoimmune diseases
• Medicines that suppress the immune system and cortisone treatments: these can affect the risk of infection and healing.
• Treatment for osteoporosis, cancer treatment or medicines that cause sensitivity to light
• Fillers, threads or surgical procedures you have had before

Never stop a blood thinner or any other medicine on your own for a procedure. These medicines are given to prevent serious health problems. Only the physician who prescribed the medicine can decide whether it can be paused; in most cases the medicine is continued and the procedure is planned accordingly.

Surgical or non-surgical?

At this age, the changes are often found not only in the skin but also in the deeper tissues. Non-surgical methods can soften some changes; however, they are not suitable for every problem.

Trying to correct significant sagging with non-surgical methods can lead to results that do not meet expectations and to repeated procedures. Too much filler can also create an unnatural look in the face. Our article “Thread Lift (Non-Surgical Facial Lifting Threads)” explains in detail what this method can and cannot do.

Surgery is also a medical decision; it is made after assessing your general health, the medicines you take and the risk of anaesthesia. Whichever path you choose, it is advisable to get information from a specialist and to give yourself time to think.

Realistic expectations

• Procedures can help your skin look more rested and cared for; they do not turn back the years.
• At this age, recovery may take longer; the procedure plan should take this into account.
• On thin and sensitive skin, the intensity of some procedures may be reduced, or different methods may be chosen.
• The effect of non-surgical procedures is mostly temporary, and repeat treatment is needed to maintain it.

Final word

At 50 and beyond, the most important part of looking after your skin is monitoring it not only from an aesthetic point of view but also from a health point of view. Regular sun protection, gentle and moisturising skin care, and checking new or changing spots in good time form the foundation of this stage. If you are considering a procedure, it is advisable to decide without rushing, with a physician with whom you can openly discuss your medicines and your health.