Another important skin alteration in menopause is collagen loss. Research findings demonstrate that over the course of the first five years of menopause, most women lose 30 percent of their skin collagen. In the following 20 years, the annual collagen decline rate drops to 2 percent.
When collagen decreases, the skin becomes prone to wrinkles, fine lines, and pores. With hormonal changes, women also lose the fat underneath their skin. The natural firmness and elasticity of their skin also drops which manifests as saggy skin. Saggy skin most commonly affects the jawline, cheeks, and neck region.
Age spots are certain areas that become hyperpigmented with age. Age spots develop frequently in menopausal women because their thinner skin becomes more sensitive to sun damage. Furthermore, due to the estrogen and testosterone imbalance, facial hair may start appearing on the chin or upper lip area.