CThere are changes that come slowly, almost silently. One morning there skin looks different: thinner, drier, less elastic. The legs lose firmness, the inner thigh appears “emptied”, the knee change shape. And even those who have not gained many kilos find themselves with the sensation of having a less toned, less “full” and almost more fragile body. It often happens after the age of 50, when the Menopause profoundly changes the biological balance of the skin and tissues.
But today doctors are observing a new phenomenon: these changes are amplified by rapid weight loss obtained with drugs such as Ozempic and similar, which are increasingly widespread even outside the strictly diabetes field. The result is what they have already renamed in the United States Ozempic body: a leaner body, yes, but also more emptied, with loss of tone, muscle mass and skin quality. «There are two phenomena that often overlap», explains the doctor Valentina Finottiplastic surgeon, aesthetic and regenerative doctor in Milantogether with Dr. Alberto Teppexaesthetic and regenerative doctor of Finotti’s team. «On the one hand, the skin typical of menopause, much drier and fragile due to the estrogen deficiency. On the other hand, that of rapid weight loss and catabolic states, where the tissues practically “come apart” because there is a lack of internal support.”
Menopause: what happens to the skin
Estrogen doesn’t just affect your menstrual cycle. They also play a fundamental role in the quality of the skin, in the production of collagen, in elasticity and in the ability to retain water. When these hormones decrease, the skin changes structure.
«The skin becomes extremely dry», explains Finotti. «Many women tell me: “I put creams on, I drink water, I do everything but the skin doesn’t seem to absorb anything anymore”. That’s right: it completely changes the biological response of the tissue.” According to studies by North American Menopause Societyin the first five years after menopause women can lose up to 30% of skin collagen. It is therefore not surprising that the body appears less toned, especially in the areas most subject to gravity such as the inside thigh, knees, arms and abdomen.
iO Donna © ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
