A woman’s value extends beyond her appearance. Self-worth isn’t skin deep – she contains multitudes. And yet, how she presents herself to the world is an integral part of her identity.
Body image perception is tied to emotional well-being. As women mature, body dissatisfaction can affect anywhere between 40 to 80% of the population, and the most distressed tend to be your perimenopausal and postmenopausal patients.
If health professionals are going for shock and awe, they’ve succeeded: Nearly half of women aren’t properly informed about the dermatologic impact of menopause. Unexpected changes to hair and skin combined with unpredictable shifts in mood flare feelings of unrest. During this phase of life, vulnerability continues to climb, reaching new heights. (Despite everything), these challenges are rarely prioritized by prescribers.
Providing optimal management of your patients’ physical and emotional well-being during midlife is critical. If your practice boasts an aesthetics line of superficial cosmeceuticals, you may be merely scratching the surface of what women truly need.
Patients spend thousands a year attempting to turn back time. Cosmetic procedures alone are not the answer. Therapies must extend beyond the physical: The aim is for your female patients to feel beautiful inside and out. The underlying truth most skincare lines ignore is that hormone deficiencies are often at the heart of the matter.
The estrogen receptors found in the skin begin their steep decline in perimenopause. With estrogen levels waning, skin aging accelerates rapidly. First comes dryness, then comes laxity. When the skin barrier is damaged, itchy and inflamed tissue thins and sensitizes. Estrogen deficient skin screams for moisture, elasticity, and tone.
Some physical symptoms are mild to start and only deepen throughout the menopausal transition. Quality sleep is scarce, stress is abundant, and the outward manifestation of hormonal change is the cherry on top. These skin complaints are connected to decreased collagen, waning elastin production, compromised circulation, and dehydration. There’s no quick fix, but there is hope.
In light of the complexity, consider one small step: rethink your tried-and-true bioidentical hormone replacement to make meaningful impact on skin health. Estrogen support has been shown to strengthen the skin barrier, improve hydration and thickness, and restore collagen levels. With your individual patients’ presentation and dose in mind, consider a single compounded bioidentical form of estrogen with multiple sites of administration.
Concentrated appropriately, an estriol (E3), estradiol (E2), or biest (E3/E2) cream can be a triple threat when prescribed as a multipurpose option. These UnoDose™ directions can support their uniquely beautiful biology:
- Apply 1-4 clicks (0.25 – 1mL)
- Topically to the face and neck every morning to target aging skin
- Topically to wrists, daily for systemic vasomotor symptoms
- Vaginally, nightly to address genitourinary problems
Specificity matters: Indicating a patient-specific concentration with a designated range of clicks for each purpose allows the pharmacy to successfully dispense the prescription.
Women who experience the most disruptive perimenopausal symptoms also take the greatest hit to their body image. Thankfully, they are not alone on this journey. As a knowledgeable provider, you can set the stage for therapeutic powerhouses like bioidentical forms of estrogen to shine.
References
- Chen Y, Lyga J. Brain-skin connection: stress, inflammation and skin aging. Inflamm Allergy Drug Targets. 2014;13(3):177-90. doi: 10.2174/1871528113666140522104422. PMID: 24853682; PMCID: PMC4082169.
- DeRosa A, Roths A. Skin Health and Hormones: Is there a Connection? Belmar Pharma Solutions; September 2024; https://www.belmarpharmasolutions.com/resources/clinician-resources/clinician-library/skin-health-hormones/
- DeRosa A, Williams L, Noonan R. Untapped Market of Perimenopausal Women. Belmar Pharma Solutions; January 2025; https://www.belmarpharmasolutions.com/resources/clinician-resources/clinician-library/untapped-market-of-perimenopausal-women/
- Dias da Rocha MA, Saint Aroman M, Mengeaud V, Carballido F, Doat G, Coutinho A, Bagatin E. Unveiling the Nuances of Adult Female Acne: A Comprehensive Exploration of Epidemiology, Treatment Modalities, Dermocosmetics, and the Menopausal Influence. Int J Womens Health. 2024 Apr 18;16:663-678. doi: 10.2147/IJWH.S431523. PMID: 38650835; PMCID: PMC11034510.
- Kamp E, Ashraf M, Musbahi E, DeGiovanni C. Menopause, skin and common dermatoses. Part 2: skin disorders. Clin Exp Dermatol. 2022 Dec;47(12):2117-2122. doi: 10.1111/ced.15308. Epub 2022 Oct 26. PMID: 35727900; PMCID: PMC10092853.
- Lu LW, Chen NW, Nayeem F, Ramanujam VS, Kuo YF, Brunder DG, Nagamani M, Anderson KE. Novel effects of phytoestrogenic soy isoflavones on serum calcium and chloride in premenopausal women: A 2-year double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study. Clin Nutr. 2018 Dec;37(6 Pt A):1862-1870. doi: 10.1016/j.clnu.2017.11.002. Epub 2017 Nov 11. PMID: 29183775; PMCID: PMC5948121.
- Rzepecki AK, Murase JE, Juran R, Fabi SG, McLellan BN. Estrogen-deficient skin: The role of topical therapy. Int J Womens Dermatol. 2019 Mar 15;5(2):85-90. doi: 10.1016/j.ijwd.2019.01.001. PMID: 30997378; PMCID: PMC6451761.
If you are a prescriber and are interested in prescribing these medications, please complete this form and a Belmar Solutions Engineer will reach out to you.
