The foundation of my practice of plastic surgery is that of holism. As the founder of the Holistic Plastic Surgery philosophy, I believe that therapies aimed at balancing the dimensions of wellness help to bring about optimal outcomes in beauty and plastic surgery. From this perspective, one of the goals of beautification through the needle or the scalpel is age management through graceful transformation. Whether this enhancement takes the form of nose reshaping (rhinoplasty), localized fat reduction (liposuction), or facial volume replacement (injectable fillers), it is important to respect nature while working with it to bring about beautifully aligned results.
When nature manifests through the stage in women’s lives called menopause, there are a number of changes that come about. In addition to the aging that naturally occurs from intrinsic (genetics) and extrinsic (lifestyle, for example) factors, the hormonal shifts during menopause may have disturbing effects on the skin. Not only do collagen and skin elasticity decrease from normal aging, the reduction in estrogen may lead to dryness, thinning of the skin, decreased skin firmness, and higher susceptibility to inflammation (as discoloration and acne).
My recommendations for healthy and radiant skin before and during menopause include:
1) Eat clean nutrition that is rich in anti-inflammatory antioxidants and low in sugar;
2) Hydrate—internally as well as topically on the skin;
3) Manage stress frequently and effectively: swimming in a pool of cortisol will wreak havoc on your skin (and your life!);
4) Exercise adequately—to boost circulation that will help the skin to look brighter;
5) Sleep as if your body depends on it (it does!);
6) Use skincare products that are designed to work with your skin’s transitions.
There is a dearth of skincare products that functionally address aging skin, particularly around menopause. This is perhaps because the conversation around it is hushed. Thankfully, the beauty industry is becoming woke, and a number of brands are beginning to address the skincare needs of women of a fabulous and wise age. (Tune in to the mini-series Fifteen Minutes of F.A.B. on my podcast, Forever F.A.B., to hear reviews of products specifically designed for menopausal skin.)
