Perimenopause and skin – why does facial skin change between the ages of 40 and 50?
Many women notice after turning 40 that their facial skin changes surprisingly quickly. Wrinkles deepen, the skin feels thinner, and the overall appearance of the face may look more tired than before.
This is no coincidence. Often, the underlying cause is perimenopause, the phase preceding actual menopause, during which hormonal balance begins to change.
Perimenopause affects the skin in many ways. It can increase the formation of wrinkles, reduce skin elasticity, and even gradually change the shape of the face.
In this article, I will discuss:
- what happens to the skin during perimenopause
- Why wrinkles can increase rapidly between the ages of 40 and 50
- How botulinum treatments can help facial expression lines
What happens to the skin during perimenopause?
Perimenopause often begins around the age of 40–50. During this time, estrogen production begins to decline, which directly affects the condition of the skin.
Estrogen plays an important role in the skin. Among other things, it maintains
- collagen production
- skin thickness
- moisture balance
- skin elasticity
When estrogen levels drop, collagen in the skin decreases. Studies show that collagen levels can decrease significantly as menopause approaches.
This is often visible on the face.
- deepening of forehead lines
- as wrinkles between the corners of the eyes
- increased crow's feet
- thinning of the skin
Why can wrinkles increase rapidly after the age of 40?
During perimenopause, several simultaneous changes occur in the structure of the skin.
Firstly, the amounts of collagen, which is responsible for skin firmness, and elastin, which provides elasticity, decrease. At the same time, skin renewal slows down and the skin's moisture balance changes.
Secondly, the muscles that produce facial expressions continue to function as before. As the skin thins and its elasticity decreases, muscle movements begin to show more clearly on the skin.
For this reason, many people notice that, for example,
- horizontal forehead lines
- Sibelius wrinkle between the eyebrows
- eye wrinkles
can deepen quite rapidly within a few years.
Can Botox help with perimenopausal skin?
Botulinum toxin treatments do not affect the skin's hormonal balance or collagen levels. Instead, they target the facial muscles.
Botulinum relaxes the muscles that cause expression lines. When muscle contraction decreases, the skin above them wrinkles less.
Botulinum toxin acts on the neuromuscular junction by blocking the release of neurotransmitters. This temporarily reduces muscle activity.
When muscle activity calms down, the lines visible on the skin's surface may soften.
What kind of results can be achieved with Botox?
During perimenopause, botulinum toxin treatments are used specifically to treat expression lines.
The most common areas of treatment are
- horizontal forehead lines
- the sibelius wrinkle between the corners
- eye wrinkles
The aim of Botox treatment is not to completely change the appearance of the face. A well-performed treatment reduces wrinkles but preserves the natural expressiveness of the face.
Who is Botox treatment suitable for during perimenopause?
Botulinum treatment is particularly suitable for women who have noticed an increase in facial expression lines in recent years.
Treatment may be a good option, for example, when
- forehead lines have begun to remain visible even when resting
- the sibelius wrinkle between the corners deepens
- your face looks tired
During perimenopause, many women seek a very natural change that refreshes their facial appearance without making them look unfamiliar.
What other treatments can be combined?
During perimenopause, skin changes are not solely due to muscle function. Therefore, botulinum toxin treatments can sometimes be combined with other forms of treatment.
For example
- deep moisturizing treatments for the skin
- collagen-stimulating treatments
- filler treatments
However, simply smoothing out expression lines with botulinum toxin can often make the face appear more relaxed.
Are you considering Botox treatment?
If you would like to learn more about botulinum toxin treatments, you can find a comprehensive guide here:
You can also view authentic treatment results here: