With the month of October placing a spotlight on menopause, the numbers tell the story: we naturally lose about 2 percent of collagen each year, but in the first five years of menopause alone, women can lose as much as 30 percent. And As oestrogen continues to decline, skin renewal slows, becoming thinner, more fragile and less able to retain moisture, often leaving it feeling sensitive, flaky, and slower to heal. With all these changes, skincare routines need to evolve. But at-home routines are just one piece of the puzzle.

So in the lead up to World Menopause Day on October 18th, we spoke to Caci Skincare Educator, Linda Sharrem (pictured below) about in-clinic support for menopausal skin, and why a tailored treatment approach matters.

What are some of the most common issues they are facing with their skin, and what in-clinic solutions do you have that are particularly beneficial for this time?

Our oestrogen levels drop during menopause causing hot flashes, changes in mood, dryness and bone density loss. Our skin will start to thin due to dryness and our general hydration levels. Our skin finds it super hard to retain water and with thinning lipids/EFAs (Essential fatty acids) you will start to experience more dryness. We recommend adjusting your skincare routine. No more lightweight lotions, we need to crank up our hydration and EFAs (Oils) to compensate. We love hydrating facials such as Sonophoresis Skin Infusions, Skinsmiths B12 Hydrating Facial and Hydradermabrasion.

 Our skin cell turnover also slows down as we age. In our 20s this happens every 28 days, in our 40s this has already slowed down to 42-50 days. Our skin heals much more slowly, damaged cells remain on our skin’s surface longer intensifying the appearance of lines, wrinkles and pigmentation. We often have clients describe their skin as looking dull, lacking glow and sometimes even flaky. Exfoliation is important now but not harsh exfoliants, think gentle options such as AHA’s. Exfoliating treatments in clinic such as Caci’s Signature Peel has the best combo of gentle exfoliation and stimulates collagen too. Our skin always craves collagen and elastin.

During menopause we not only lose up to 30 percent of the collagen in our skin but as menopause advances, we lose elasticity too, causing skin to appear saggy. Our top picks including Fractional CO2 Laser and Microneedling for a firming and tightening effect.

Can skin health treatments alone help women dealing with changes in their skin during the menopause years?

We can best support the changes happening with our skin from within, topically and with treatments. At Caci we advocate for regular treatments to enhance your skin health – just like going to the gym or a daily walk. In clinic treatments can work deeper within the skin and stimulate our skin cells to renew and reveal healthy fresh skin.
You at home skincare will not only boost your in clinic results, but maintain them too. The vital list includes an SPF, Retinal, Vitamin C, gentle acid based exfoliators and lots of nourishing hydrators.
Your diet will also play a part in your skin health and appearance. Food can help to balance our gut microbiome which leads to glowing skin, we can reduce inflammation and hydrate from the inside out – drink up, but make sure it’s water!

Plus taking time out to take care of your skin can help to reduce cortisol levels that can cause inflammation and skin cell damage.

Injectables are of course always on offer, although many are still nervous about going down that path. What does Caci offer that is really helping in that area, is it opting for the likes of Profhilo over Botox for menopausal clients?

Regenerative injectable treatments such as Profhilo and Profhilo Structura are great options. These injectables are biostimulators, they trigger your skin to generate collagen and help to restore your skin from within. These treatments are targeting the quality of our skin – with a little contouring, lifting and tightening too!
Botox will always have its place for reducing the appearance of lines and wrinkles, but at Caci we love combining our treatments to get you the best results. Rapid fire, we love: A Murad Retinol Power Peel, Fractional CO2 Laser and Microneedling.

Many women around menopausal age can feel a little ignored by the beauty industry at large, and like giving up is a real option rather than addressing the skin health changes that naturally occur at this time. What is Caci doing to really change that conversation?

At Caci, we know that many women around menopause feel overlooked by the beauty industry and that the changes in our skin and confidence during this time are often under-acknowledged. We’re determined to change that conversation and help shift the narrative.

Rather than suggesting women should simply ‘age gracefully,’ we focus on empowerment, education and most importantly: choice. Our team of skin health experts, including registered nurses, support women with creating personalised treatment plans designed specifically to address concerns that often arise during this life stage: from dryness and loss of elasticity to changes in tone and texture.

We also believe menopause should be talked about openly and without stigma. That’s why we’re supporting events, writing blogs and sharing lived experiences to help normalise the conversation, provide real evidence-based solutions, and celebrate women at every chapter of life. For us, it’s about ensuring every woman feels confident in their skin, not in spite of menopause, but through it.