Dr. Ritu Gupta from Platinum Dermatology in Ultimo, Sydney discusses the significant impact of menopause on skin health. Dr. Ritu, a specialist in both medical and cosmetic dermatology, discusses the decline in oestrogen during menopause and its effects on skin, including collagen and elastic tissue loss, skin thinning, increased dryness, and slower wound healing.

Dr. Ritu unpacks the importance of a holistic approach to managing these changes, which includes addressing related issues such as hair loss, nail health, and genitourinary symptoms. Additionally, she draws attention to the challenges of rapid weight loss, especially from GLP-1 medications, which can lead to muscle loss and accelerate ageing effects on the skin.

Dr. Ritu highlights the crucial role of vitamin D in maintaining both bone and skin health, advocating for correct and safe sun exposure and supplementation to ensure optimal levels of this vital nutrient.

Takeaways

• Skin Health During Menopause: Menopause drastically affects skin health, primarily due to the decline in oestrogen. This results in loss of collagen and elastic tissue, thinner skin, increased dryness, and slower wound healing.

• Holistic Approach to Menopause Management: Tackling menopause-related skin changes requires looking beyond the skin to address hair loss, nail health, and genitourinary symptoms, which are often neglected.

• Effects of Rapid Weight Loss: Weight loss medications, particularly GLP-1s, can cause muscle loss and have ageing effects on the skin, which need careful management.

• Importance of Vitamin D: Adequate levels of vitamin D are essential for maintaining bone strength and skin health during menopause. Ensuring sufficient sun exposure and considering supplementation are key.

• Comprehensive Care Strategies: Using a combination of medical treatments, energy-based devices, and muscle preservation techniques can effectively manage the diverse symptoms of menopause, helping women maintain their skin health and overall vitality during this transformative phase.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Importance of Discussing Menopause and Skin Changes
02:09 Effects of Oestrogen Decline on the Skin
05:11 Hair Loss, Nail Health, and Genitourinary Symptoms during Menopause
08:03 The Effects of Rapid Weight Loss on the Skin
09:19 Taking a Holistic Approach to Skin Health
16:15 The Role of Vitamin D in Bone and Skin Health
26:21 The Impact of GLP-1 Medications on the Skin
33:32 Achieving Glass Skin and Poreless Complexion
38:16 Research on Vitamin D and Recommendations
43:51 Finding Dermatologists with Diverse Specialisations

Watch the episode here:
https://youtu.be/hORW2DsriRM