“I don’t even recognize myself in the mirror anymore.”
That’s what one of my clients—let’s call her Amanda—said during her first appointment. She was 42, a busy professional, mom of two, and had always taken care of herself. But over the past year, her skin had become dull, dry, and saggy seemingly overnight. Her once-thick hair was now thinning at the crown and clogging the shower drain. Despite expensive creams and biotin gummies, nothing was working.
Sound familiar?
If you’re over 35 and suddenly feel like your skin and hair are aging faster than the rest of you, you’re not alone. And no, it’s not just “normal aging.” These changes are often the first signs of perimenopause—the transitional years before menopause when your hormones start shifting behind the scenes.
Let’s break down why this happens, what you can do about it, and how we help women just like you at Antigravity Wellness.
🌸 Why Skin & Hair Change in Perimenopause
During perimenopause, hormones like estrogen, progesterone, DHEA, and testosterone begin to fluctuate—and eventually decline. These hormones play a major role in your skin and hair health.
- Estrogen supports collagen production, skin thickness, hydration, and elasticity. When it drops, skin becomes thinner, drier, and more prone to fine lines.
- DHEA and testosterone help stimulate hair growth and maintain scalp health. Their decline often leads to hair shedding and slower regrowth.
- Thyroid function and iron levels can also shift during midlife, impacting hair strength and energy.
- And don’t forget about cortisol—chronic stress increases this hormone, which depletes nutrients like zinc and biotin, wrecking your glow from the inside out.
These changes are often misdiagnosed—or completely ignored—until they become too obvious to brush off.
🥦 Start With Lifestyle First
Before reaching for prescriptions, we always start with the foundations:
💤 Sleep
7–9 hours of quality sleep per night (especially between 10 PM–2 AM) is when your body regenerates. Poor sleep equals poor skin.
😌 Stress Reduction
High cortisol = increased inflammation, breakouts, and hair loss. Use breathwork, journaling, walking, or boundaries to support your nervous system.
🏋️♀️ Exercise
Resistance training improves circulation and collagen production. It also keeps estrogen metabolism moving.
🍳 Nutrition & Hydration for Healthy Skin & Hair
🥩 Protein
Aim for 1g of protein per pound of ideal body weight—this supports collagen, keratin, and tissue repair. Shoot for ~4 oz of protein (like chicken, fish, beef, eggs, or tofu) at each meal.
🥬 Foods to Focus On:
- Salmon: Omega-3s reduce inflammation and hydrate skin from the inside
- Avocados & olive oil: Support skin elasticity
- Berries: Packed with antioxidants to repair oxidative stress
- Leafy greens & broccoli: Provide detox support + minerals
- Eggs: Rich in biotin and sulfur for hair and skin
💧 Hydration
As we age, our thirst drive decreases, so it’s crucial to drink water consistently throughout the day—even when you’re not thirsty.
Aim for 80–100 oz/day and add electrolytes like LMNT, Ultima, or a pinch of salt with lemon to improve absorption.
💊 Supplements That Actually Work
There are dozens of overhyped beauty supplements out there—but here’s what’s actually worth your money:
- Collagen peptides + Vitamin C: For elasticity and skin repair
- B-complex with biotin: Supports hair growth + energy
- Omega-3s: Anti-inflammatory and hydrating
- Zinc: Essential for hair growth and wound healing
- Vitamin D3 + K2: Boosts immunity, skin repair, and mood
- Adaptogens: Like Ashwagandha or Rhodiola to support stress balance
(We’ve curated our favorite professional-grade products in our Fullscript Supplement Guide – click here to access it with 10% off.)
💉 When It’s Time for Rx or BHRT
For some women, supplements and lifestyle support just aren’t enough. That’s when we explore prescription options like:
- Topical Estradiol: Improves skin hydration, elasticity, and even plumps fine lines
- Micronized Progesterone: Supports sleep, reduces anxiety, and balances estrogen
- Testosterone: Used selectively for low libido or hair thinning from androgen decline
- Minoxidil (Rogaine): OTC topical that can stimulate hair regrowth
- Spironolactone: For hormonal acne or excess shedding from androgen imbalance
- PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma): A regenerative treatment for scalp and hair follicles
Many of these are FDA-approved and covered by insurance, especially estradiol patches, creams, and oral progesterone. Others (like PRP) may be out-of-pocket but effective in combination with a holistic plan.
💖 How We Help at Antigravity Wellness
At Antigravity Wellness, we take a comprehensive, functional approach to skin and hair health. We don’t just hand you a cream and send you on your way.
We dig deep with:
✅ Lab testing (hormones, thyroid, ferritin, nutrients)
✅ Lifestyle coaching
✅ Nutrition + supplement protocols
✅ Optional BHRT and personalized Rx plans
If you’re ready to stop guessing and start feeling confident in your skin again…
👉 Book a Brief Initial Consult today to get clear on what’s going on and what your next steps should be.
Click here to schedule your visit
📚 References
- Santoro, N. et al. “The menopause transition: signs, symptoms, and management.” Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33095879/
- Menopause and the Skin: Old Favorites and New Innovations in Cosmeceuticals for Estrogen-Deficient Skin. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7859014/
- The Potential Uses of Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Dermatology: A Review. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32463305/
- A Comprehensive Review on the Beneficial Roles of Vitamin D in Skin Health as a Bio-Functional Ingredient in Nutricosmetic, Cosmeceutical, and Cosmetic Applications. https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/2/796
⚠️ Medical Disclaimer
This blog is for informational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any medical condition. Please consult your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement, treatment, or hormone therapy.
