Iron Out Wrinkles During Menopause

You’re not imagining things if you’ve noticed an uptick in fine lines and wrinkles staring back at you in the mirror. That’s because collagen levels drop by 30 percent within five years of menopause, according to the North American Menopause Society.

“Collagen is essential for resilient, healthy skin, which is why many mature women experience a loss in elasticity, wrinkling and sagging,” says New York City dermatologist Francesca Fusco, M.D.

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Treatment: Retinoids like Renova and Retin-A, alpha-hydroxy acids and, possibly, vitamin C serums build collagen for smoother, firmer skin. If that doesn’t get you the skin-plumping results you’re looking for, injectables like Sculptra can help fill in wrinkles. Laser treatments, including Smoothbeam and Fractional lasers, fight deep wrinkles and sagging skin by stimulating collagen production.

MORE: Wrinkle Filler Techniques and Risks

Hormone replacement therapy is particularly effective at preventing wrinkles, but you and your physician would first need to weigh the overall risks and benefits of the treatment based on your personal and family health history.