Menopause is a significant transition in a woman’s life, marked by both physical and phycological changes. When estrogen levels drop, such as during menopause or certain phases of the menstrual cycle cognitive functions can fluctuate. For some women, hormones can play a pivotal role in the underlying motivation to address visible signs of aging during menopause. For practitioners, understanding the cognitive changes of menopausal patients is crucial to providing effective and compassionate care.

 

Specifically:

- Mood and Emotional Regulation: Lower estrogen levels can lead to mood swings, irritability, and anxiety. These mood changes can affect decision-making by making it harder to think clearly and rationally.

- Impulsivity: Changes in estrogen levels can also affect impulsivity. Lower estrogen can lead to increased impulsivity, making it harder to control urges and make thoughtful decisions.

 

Why menopause changes skin health

Hormonal shifts during menopause, particularly the decrease in oestrogen, can lead to noticeable changes in the skin. These include:

- Loss of collagen: Reduced oestrogen production affects collagen levels, leading to thinner, less elastic skin.

- Dryness: Diminished oil production can result in drier skin, which may exacerbate the appearance of wrinkles.

- Reduction in skin volume: A reduction in facial volume and elasticity may cause sagging in areas such as the cheeks and jawline.

 

Common cosmetic concerns for menopausal patients

Menopausal women often seek treatment for the following concerns:

- Facial volume loss: The face can appear hollow or gaunt due to a decrease in natural fat and collagen.

- Deeper wrinkles: Lines around the eyes, mouth, and forehead tend to deepen with age.

- Skin discoloration: Age spots and pigmentation can become more pronounced due to sun exposure and hormonal changes.

 

Addressing the emotional impact of menopause

Menopause can also affect a woman’s emotional well-being. Mood changes, anxiety, and feelings of self-consciousness are common during this phase of life. These emotional shifts can often drive the desire for cosmetic interventions, therefore, it’s important for practitioners to consider these factors carefully.

It’s important to ensure that patients have a healthy and balanced motivation for seeking treatment. Menopause can bring emotional challenges, and it’s crucial to understand this from a patients perspective and to explore how this relates to a cosmetic procedural outcome. This might include wanting to feel more confident, addressing specific physical changes that affect self-esteem, or simply wanting to take care of oneself. It’s essential that the decision is made to enhance personal well-being and not as a response to external pressures or unrealistic expectations. This approach helps ensure that the treatment will have a positive impact on the patient’s overall treatment satisfaction and mental health.

Clear communication is essential in managing expectations and ensuring patient gratification. Here are some examples of how to do this effectively:

- Initial Consultation: Use a psycho-social pre-screening tool to enhance dialogue  at the first meeting, take time to discuss the patient’s goals and motivations. Ask open-ended questions like, “What are you hoping to achieve with this treatment?” This helps to understand their expectations and whether they are realistic.

- Educational Materials: Provide brochures, videos, or online resources that explain the procedures in detail, including potential outcomes and limitations. This helps patients make informed decisions.

- Before-and-After Photos: Show real examples of past patients who have undergone similar treatments. Highlight a range of results to illustrate the variability and set realistic expectations.

- Discuss Potential Risks and Side Effects: Be transparent about the possible risks and side effects including the emotional ones associated with treatment in menopause. This ensures that patients are fully aware of what to expect and can weigh the benefits against the risks.

- Follow-Up Appointments: Schedule follow-up appointments to discuss the patient’s progress and address any concerns. This ongoing communication helps to manage expectations and provides an opportunity to make any necessary adjustments.

- Encourage Questions: Create an environment where patients feel comfortable asking questions. Reassure them that no question is too small or insignificant. This openness builds trust and ensures they feel supported throughout the process and that there is no rush to decide on a treatment. 

By incorporating these practices, you can help patients have a clearer understanding of what cosmetic treatments during menopause can and cannot achieve, leading to greater satisfaction and holistic well-being.

 

Conclusion: tailoring care to menopausal patients

Providing effective cosmetic care for menopausal women requires a holistic and functional understanding of changes associated with this life stage. By focusing on personalised care, practitioners can help their patients feel confident and supported as they navigate these changes. Understanding the role of hormonal shifts in skin health and psychology to better managing expectations are key to successful outcomes.

 

Article by Kimberley Cairns, BSc (Hons), MSc, GMBPsS

Kimberley Cairns is dedicated to improving mental health, body image, and trauma care within the aesthetic and non-surgical cosmetic sector. Her mission is to ensure safe and ethical practices through robust governance, innovative research, and policy development, all aimed at prioritising patient and practitioner well-being.

Leading the Integrated Practitioners of Aesthetic Wellness, Kimberley emphasises a patient-centered approach to psycho-aesthetic care. Since 2018, she has been active with the Joint Council of Cosmetic Practitioners (JCCP), serving in various roles to advocate for patients and enhance care standards in the sector.