Perimenopause and the Skin
Many women notice after turning 40 that their facial skin changes surprisingly quickly. Fine lines deepen, the skin feels thinner, and the overall appearance of the face may look more tired than before.
This is no coincidence. It is often caused by perimenopause. Perimenopause precedes actual menopause, and hormonal balance in the body begins to change even during this phase.
Perimenopause affects the skin in many ways. It can increase the formation of wrinkles, reduce skin elasticity, and even gradually alter the shape of the face.
This article covers:
- What happens to the skin during perimenopause?
- Why wrinkles can increase rapidly between the ages of 40 and 50
- How can Botox treatments help with facial expression lines?
What happens to the skin during perimenopause?
Perimenopause often begins around the ages of 40 to 50. During this time, estrogen production begins to decline, which directly affects the condition of the skin.
Estrogen plays an important role in the skin. Among other things, it helps maintain
- collagen production
- skin thickness
- moisture balance
- skin elasticity
As estrogen levels drop, the skin's collagen decreases. Studies show that collagen levels can decrease significantly as menopause approaches.
This is often visible on the face
- the deepening of forehead lines
- as an accentuation of the wrinkles between the corners
- an increase in fine lines around the eyes
- thinning of the skin
Why do wrinkles tend to increase rapidly after age 40?
During perimenopause (the premenopausal phase), several changes occur simultaneously in the structure of the skin.
First, the levels of collagen—which is responsible for skin firmness—and elastin—which provides elasticity—decrease. At the same time, skin renewal slows down, and the skin’s moisture balance also changes.
Second, the muscles responsible for facial expressions continue to function just as they did before. As the skin thins and loses its elasticity, the movements of these muscles become more visible on the skin.
For this reason, many people find that, for example,
- horizontal lines on the forehead
- a frown line between the eyebrows
- fine lines around the eyes
can deepen quite rapidly over the course of a few years.
Can Botox help during perimenopause?
Botox treatment does not affect the skin’s hormonal balance or collagen levels; Botox works by targeting facial muscle activity. The treatment relaxes the muscles that cause expression lines. As muscle contraction decreases, the skin above them wrinkles significantly less than before.
Botulinum toxin acts at the neuromuscular junction by blocking the release of neurotransmitters. This temporarily reduces muscle activity.
As muscle activity subsides, the fine lines on the skin's surface smooth out.
What kind of results can be achieved with Botox?
During perimenopause, botulinum toxin treatments are used specifically to treat expression lines.
The most common treatment areas are
- horizontal lines on the forehead
- the Sibelius wrinkle between the corners
- fine lines around the eyes
The goal of Botox treatment is not to completely alter your facial expression. When performed properly, the treatment reduces wrinkles while preserving your face’s natural expressiveness.
Menopause and Botox – a threat or an opportunity?
Botox treatments are particularly suitable for women who have noticed that their facial expression lines have become more pronounced in recent years and who are bothered by these lines.
Unless wrinkles and signs of aging bother the woman herself, there is absolutely no reason to try to correct them.
Treatment may be a good option, for example, when
- The lines on my forehead have started to show even when I'm at rest
- the crease between the corners of the eyes deepens
- her facial expression looks tired
During perimenopause, many women seek a very natural transformation that refreshes their facial appearance without making it look unnatural.
What other treatments can be combined with this one?
During perimenopause, changes in the skin are not caused solely by muscle activity. For this reason, Botox treatments are sometimes combined with other forms of treatment.
For example
- deeply hydrating skin treatments
- collagen-stimulating treatments
- filler treatments
However, simply relaxing the facial muscles with Botox can often make the face look more relaxed than before.
Are you considering Botox treatment?
- You can see real treatment results here:Botox before and after
- You can book a free, no-obligation consultation at our Tapiola or Tikkurila office online.
- The easiest way to book a free consultation in Tampere or Pori is to call Ville’s nurse at 044 983 4030
