Photoaging(the skin damage caused by chronic UV exposure, leading to wrinkles, sagging, age spots, and loss of elasticity) can appear worse or progress more noticeably after menopause.
Photoaging is primarily an extrinsic form of aging driven by sun exposure. IAs hormones change menopause significantly influences how the skin responds to and recovers from that damage.
Estrogen decline accelerates intrinsic aging
The damage from estrogen loss which overlaps with and amplifies extrinsic damage. Estrogen supports collagen production, skin thickness, elasticity, hydration, and moisture retention. After menopause, women can lose up to 30% of skin collagen** in the first 5 years, followed by about 2% per year thereafter. This makes the skin thinner, drier, and less resilient.
– Thinner, drier, and less elastic skin (from estrogen loss) is consequentially more vulnerable to UV radiation. The skin’s natural barrier weakens, making it more prone to UV-induced harm like pigmentation changes (e.g., age spots or hyperpigmentation), deeper wrinkles, and sagging—even from the same level of sun exposure that might not have looked as severe before.
– Sources describe postmenopausal skin as more sensitive to UV damage, with cumulative sun exposure from earlier years becoming more visible due to these hormonal shifts. For example, pigmentation issues (like melasma or dark spots) can worsen from the combination of hormonal changes and prior UV exposure, and the skin repairs UV damage less effectively.
– While photoaging itself is caused by UV rays (not menopause), the hormonal changes, including testosterone, DHEA, and thyroid, make existing or ongoing photoaging more pronounced. Menopause doesn’t cause photoaging but accelerates the visible signs of skin aging overall, including those from sun damage. Hormonal management can mitigate all of these factors.
Protection remains key
Daily broad-spectrum sunscreen (SPF 30+), protective clothing, and avoiding peak sun hours help prevent further worsening. Some dermatological sources note that treatments like retinoids can help repair some photoaging effects, and staying hydrated/moisturized supports skin health during this transition.
If you’re noticing specific changes, consulting your aesthetician at Hada for personalized advice (e.g., on HRT, topicals, or procedures) can be beneficial. We have the most advanced sunscreen products.
