The skin is a reflection of your health and can experience significant and abrupt changes through perimenopause and menopause. (1) Have you noticed changes in your skin, even though your skincare routine has stayed the same? Through menopause and perimenopause, your complexion may feel drier and more sensitive, wrinkles and fine lines may be more prominent, and your skin may lose firmness and elasticity. You may even experience breakouts long after you thought acne was behind you.
These skin changes coincide with fluctuating and eventually declining hormone levels. Estrogen impacts the skin’s structure, hydration, function, and overall health. The transition of menopause affects every woman differently; understanding what is causing the changes can help better preserve your skin health. With a personalized routine and targeted treatments, it is possible to support skin health and maintain glowing, radiant skin through the midlife changes of perimenopause and menopause.
The team at Austin Plastic Surgeon pairs a wide collection of advanced treatments with our warm, patient-centric approach to address all of your skin care needs. We are here to support you and your skin through the changes of menopause to maintain a fresh, youthful appearance.
Receive customized guidance and a personalized skincare plan by contacting us online or calling our offices directly at:
- Austin: (512) 334-9917
- San Antonio: (210) 750-1851
- West Lake Hills: (512) 334-9917
Contents
- 1 About Menopause and Perimenopause
- 2 How the Hormonal Changes of Perimenopause and Menopause Affect Skin Health
- 3 Common Skin Changes During Perimenopause and Menopause
- 4 Skin Preserving Treatments
- 5 Benefits
- 6 Personalized Skincare Plan for Perimenopause and Menopause
- 7 Cost of Perimenopausal and Menopausal Skincare Treatments in Austin, TX
- 8 FAQ
- 9 References
About Menopause and Perimenopause
Menopause brings big changes in a woman’s body that can vary widely depending on the individual. There are three distinct phases that occur as the body shifts out of the reproductive years: perimenopause, menopause, and postmenopause. Throughout the stages, changes in hormone levels impact the skin’s overall health and condition.
Perimenopause
Perimenopause is the transition leading up to menopause. During this time, ovarian function changes and reproductive hormones fluctuate and then decline. Estrogen does not decline in a steady progression, and levels typically vary considerably during this time.
Perimenopause commonly begins in the forties, and the timing and duration vary, lasting up to ten years. Most women experience perimenopause for four to six years. During this time, the skin is significantly impacted by the hormonal shifts. Changes to tone, texture, hydration, and sensitivity usually occur as a result.
Menopause
Menopause marks the milestone of one year with no menstrual periods. It generally occurs around age 52, but the timing varies. After menopause, estrogen production remains substantially lower than during the reproductive years. The decline and then persistent lower hormone levels contribute to lasting changes in skin health.
Postmenopause
Following menopause, lower estrogen levels persist, so changes to the skin’s hydration, collagen production, and elasticity may continue. A customized treatment plan will support you through the changes of menopause and then support your skin health long-term afterwards.
How the Hormonal Changes of Perimenopause and Menopause Affect Skin Health
Estrogen receptors are found throughout the skin, and the hormone influences the dermis, epidermis, skin barrier, and other supportive structures important for maintaining healthy skin. It plays a role in skin structure, hydration, and durability. The fluctuation and then decline of estrogen through menopause causes structural and functional changes to the skin that impacts how it looks and feels. (2)
Androgens, including testosterone, also affect the skin and oil glands. Their influence on the skin becomes more noticeable as estrogen levels decline. Changes in progesterone and other hormones can also impact the skin’s overall health. Not every woman will experience the same hormonal patterns or skin changes so it is important to tailor your treatment to your unique needs and hormonal shifts.
As hormone levels change, several skin attributes and processes may be affected simultaneously, including:
- Collagen Production: Collagen is a structural protein that gives skin strength and support. Estrogen stimulates fibroblasts that regulate and produce collagen. As estrogen levels decline through menopause, the skin can lose up to 30% of its collagen content. This leads to diminished elasticity, skin laxity, and sagging. (3)
- Skin Barrier: The outermost layer of the skin helps retain water and protect against irritants, allergens, and the environment. The protective barrier is composed of skin cells, lipids, and natural moisturizers, and hormone changes can diminish its lipids and impair its moisture retention, causing dry skin.
- Skin Thickness: As estrogen levels decline, the skin may become thinner, more fragile, and
- Healing: As hormones change, the skin rebuilds and repairs more slowly. This can lead to slower healing from cuts and bruises.
- Oil Production: Changes in the balance of estrogen and androgens affect the sebaceous glands and oil production. This can cause acne breakouts.
- Skin Sensitivity: Hormonal changes can cause inflammation that makes the skin more reactive during perimenopause and menopause.
- Pigmentation: As the skin tone and texture change and the skin’s defenses weaken, dark spots or hyperpigmentation can start to appear.
Common Skin Changes During Perimenopause and Menopause
The hormonal fluctuations throughout perimenopause and menopause do not affect every woman in the same way. Common skin changes include:
- Dryness and dehydration
- Increased fine lines and wrinkles
- Loss of firmness
- Appearance of adult acne and clogged pores
- Uneven pigmentation and dark age spots
- Redness and skin sensitivity
- Itchiness
- Increased fragility and slower healing
Skin Preserving Treatments
Austin Plastic Surgeon and Medspa offers a diverse collection of treatments including surgical, non-surgical, and minimally invasive solutions to address all of your skincare needs throughout the changes of menopause and perimenopause.
Wellness Treatments
- Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) replenishes and stabilizes hormone fluctuations to alleviate perimenopause and menopause symptoms. BHRT is a natural and effective way to maintain and improve the skin’s health through the transitional effects of menopause.
- As your skin changes through menopause, skincare products should be carefully matched to its needs. Skincare should include gentle cleansers, deeply hydrating products, and avoid harsh irritants. We carry a wide variety of medical-grade skincare product lines, so we will have a product that is exactly what your skin needs.
Non-Surgical Medspa Treatments
- Injectables and Fillers are a quick, effective way to smooth wrinkles, restore volume, and enhance facial contours for a refreshed look.
- Biostimulants such as sculptra and hyperdilute radiesse can be used for skin health to increase collagen and improve the overall texture of the skin. They are also often used in combination with energy devices to synergistically improve the skin.
- Minimally invasive microneedling uses tiny, surgical-grade microneedles to create controlled microinjuries to the skin. This allows for superior product penetration and absorption, and it stimulates collagen and elastin production, which tightens and firms the skin from deep within. Depending on your needs, we have several different types of advanced microneedling treatments, including the SkinPen, RF Microneedling, which layers in controlled radiofrequency waves, and Morpheus8, which uses fractional radiofrequency waves.
- AVAVA laser resurfacing has been a critical component of skin health for our patients at Austin Plastic Surgeon. We have used it for our patients on their weight loss journey or during menopause. It has minimal downtime, can improve skin texture and leads to skin contracture. It is often used synergistically with biostimulants such as Sculpta or Hyper-dilute radiesse. This allows for the skin to be treated from the surface and beneath, at Austin Plastic Surgeon we believe this synergistic skin stacking is critical for our patients that are going through skin changes.
- Sofwave has been an important part of the skin health treatments for patients going through menopause or or their weight loss journey. It is safe for all skin types and is targeted specifically to the dermal layer which allows it to be used in combination with other treatments.
- The VI Peel is a chemical peel that uses a specially formulated blend of ingredients to gently exfoliate the skin to improve the skin’s tone and texture for a freshened facial appearance.
- The Hydrofacial MD is a multi-step process that includes deep cleaning, gentle exfoliation, vortex extraction, and LED light therapy for a revitalizing way to improve the clarity and texture of your skin.
- LED Light Therapy uses controlled wavelengths of light to increase circulation and accelerate tissue repair to reinvigorate the skin.
Surgical Procedures
- A facelift renews the lower face and jawline by repositioning the underlying structures and removing excess skin for a natural-looking appearance.
- Blepharoplasty refreshes the area around the eyes by removing excess sagging skin.
- A neck lift tightens loose skin and contours the neck for a smoother appearance and combines seamlessly with a facelift for a complete rejuvenation.
- A brow lift enhances the top third of the face by smoothing out wrinkles and elevating the eyebrows for an overall more youthful appearance.
Benefits
Having expert, professional skin care guidance can preserve and optimize your skin health throughout the ups and downs of perimenopause and menopause and maintain glowing, fresh skin long into your postmenopause years. Our highly trained and experienced team is here to support you with advanced solutions customized to your needs to optimize your skin’s health and keep you looking and feeling great through all the stages of menopause.
Personalized Skincare Plan for Perimenopause and Menopause
The full menopause process varies widely depending on the individual. Preserving skin health requires a plan tailored to suit your unique needs. At Austin Plastic Surgeon, we will develop a customized treatment plan to address your individual concerns and create glowing, healthy skin.
Personal Consultation
During your personal consultation, our team will take the time to fully understand your needs and the impacts the menopausal process is having on your skin. We will discuss your medical history and perform an exam and skin analysis. We will provide details on all your skincare options so you feel confident in your treatment plan.
Your customized treatment plan may layer together different treatment modalities for a comprehensive approach. We offer skincare products and treatments ranging from minimally invasive to extensive rejuvenation and restructuring. We are here to support all your skin needs and will adjust your treatment plan and procedures as needed to keep your skin healthy throughout menopause.
Results
Your personalized skincare plan can preserve and improve your overall skin health for radiant, youthful results. Depending on your treatments, you may see noticeable improvements quickly, but often the full, refreshed results take time to gradually develop. During your consultation, you will receive recovery timelines for your specific treatments, so you know exactly when you will get to enjoy the results.
Cost of Perimenopausal and Menopausal Skincare Treatments in Austin, TX
The cost of skincare treatment will vary depending on what stage of perimenopause or menopause you are in and what treatments are used. As your skin health transforms, we will adjust your customized treatment plan as necessary to meet your changing needs. As your treatment plan is developed, we will share a detailed price estimate with you.
Austin Plastic Surgeon offers Medspa Perks Memberships that package our signature treatments into affordable bundles paired with exclusive rewards. During your consultation, we can discuss which membership package includes your needed treatments.
FAQ
What is menopause and perimenopause?
Menopause marks the milestone when a woman has not had a menstrual period for one year. Typically, this occurs in the early to mid-50s, but can vary widely depending on the individual. Perimenopause occurs ahead of menopause and is the time in which the body is changing and preparing to stop. It can last up to ten years, and on average lasts four to six years.
How do menopause and perimenopause affect skin health?
The hormonal changes happening during menopause and perimenopause change how the skin looks and feels. Collagen and elastin decline and skin cell turnover slows dramatically, causing the skin to lose elasticity and the ability to bounce back.
What causes skin changes in menopause and perimenopause?
Hormonal fluctuations, in particular significant declines in estrogen, impact the skin and its collagen and elastin production.
What are common skin changes in menopause and perimenopause?
There are many different ways the skin can be affected during menopause and perimenopause. Common changes include dryness, itching, loss of elasticity, increased sagging, dark spots, acne, and increased sensitivity.
Should I consult a specialist for menopausal skin changes?
Professional guidance can support you throughout perimenopause and help you maintain youthful, glowing skin by carefully matching skincare treatments and products with your skin’s needs.
References
- Lephart ED, Naftolin F. Menopause and the Skin: Old Favorites and New Innovations in Cosmeceuticals for Estrogen-Deficient Skin. Dermatology and Therapy. 2020;11(1):53-69. doi:10.1007/s13555-020-00468-7
- Viscomi B, Muniz M, Sattler S. Managing menopausal skin changes: A narrative review of skin quality changes, their aesthetic impact, and the actual role of hormone replacement therapy in improvement. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. 2025;24(S4). doi:10.1111/jocd.70393
- Raine-Fenning NJ, Brincat MP, Muscat-Baron Y. Skin aging and menopause : Implications for treatment. American Journal of Clinical Dermatology. 2003;4(6):371-378. doi:10.2165/00128071-200304060-00001