More than half of women initially put menopause-related skin changes down to general ageing, according to new global research announced by Galderma. The study found that 56% of women first attributed these changes to ageing, while only 29% initially recognized the link to menopause.
Widespread misunderstanding of menopausal skin
The research, described as shedding light on 'The Menopausal Skin Misread', shows how aesthetic changes in the skin linked to menopause are still being misunderstood, mislabeled and too often attributed to ageing alone. Ahead of World Menopause Day on 18 October, Galderma is calling attention to the misunderstood impact of menopause on the skin, aiming to close the knowledge gap and empower women with the understanding needed to recognize and navigate menopause-related skin and aesthetic changes.
Anne-Cecile Chebrier said: "Too many women are navigating changes in their skin without recognizing that menopause may be playing a role. Our research shows the scale of this knowledge gap and the need to move beyond a one-size-fits-all ageing narrative. At Galderma, we are committed to advancing the understanding of menopausal skin and providing women with clear, trusted information and science-backed solutions, so they can make informed choices and feel confident in their skin throughout this important stage of life."
Impact on skincare purchases and information seeking
Despite the impact menopause can have on the skin, the research reveals that the topic remains largely overlooked in the wider menopause conversation, leaving many women unaware of the role hormonal changes may be playing in the aesthetic changes they see in their skin. One in two women remain unaware that hormonal fluctuations during perimenopause and menopause can have a significant impact on skin, underscoring the need for greater education in this area.
This misread is also influencing skincare purchases – 70% have bought products designed to address signs of ageing because they believed they would help with skin changes experienced during perimenopause or menopause. Finding the right information can be challenging too – 62% of women have felt overwhelmed by skincare advice during the menopause or perimenopause, with almost half of those struggling to find clear information saying advice was too general and focused on ageing rather than menopause.
New clinical data on treatment protocol
There is a clear appetite for greater clarity, with over 80% of women agreeing that better understanding the difference between general ageing and menopause-related skin changes would help them feel more informed and in control of their skincare decisions.
New results from an eight-month investigator-initiated trial supported by Galderma and conducted by Dr Andreas Nikolis, on both the face and the décolletage, demonstrated that the combination of Restylane Skinboosters and Sculptra delivered sustained improvements in skin hydration, quality, remodeling, as well as patient satisfaction in menopausal women. Patients were divided into two groups and treated with either Restylane Skinboosters-first, Sculptra-second, or Sculptra-first, Restylane Skinboosters-second.
Women treated with Restylane Skinboosters-first, followed by Sculptra, demonstrated an earlier visible clinical response and greater dermal remodeling, with facial dermal thickness increasing by 27.3% compared with 15.7% in the Sculptra-first, Restylane Skinboosters-second group, highlighting the value of preconditioning the skin to maximize regenerative outcomes.
Dr Nikolis, a plastic surgeon, said: "This first-of-its-kind clinical study provides compelling evidence that sequencing treatments can deliver significantly greater benefits than either approach alone in menopausal skin."
"By first using Restylane Skinboosters to rapidly improve hydration and optimize the skin microenvironment, followed by Sculptra to stimulate collagen production and progressive tissue remodeling, more favorably, we are now able to address both the immediate and longer-term biologic changes associated with menopause."
"The result is a strongly supported scientific treatment strategy that combines rapid improvement in hydration with sustained enhancement in skin quality and remodeling, while achieving high levels of patient satisfaction. These findings provide clinicians with a new evidence-based framework for treating menopausal skin."
Both groups achieved meaningful hydration improvements and high satisfaction levels, with 98% reporting natural-looking results, 96% saying they would recommend the treatments and 92% stating they would undergo treatment again, highlighting the complementary benefits of both products in addressing the skin changes associated with menopause.
Campaign launch ahead of World Menopause Day
As part of its commitment to support women during this transition, Galderma has announced the launch of a new 'Rewriting the Future of Your Skin, Own your Menopause Story' campaign, bringing together science and the real experiences of women to shine a light on menopausal skin and help close the knowledge gap revealed by the research.
Ahead of World Menopause Day on 18 October, Galderma is calling for a new conversation around menopausal skin: one that recognizes the role hormonal changes can play, separates menopausal skin and aesthetic changes from generic ageing narratives and gives women clearer information to understand what is happening to their skin to make more informed choices about what it needs.
