MENOPA US E THE BU SI NESS
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enopause is a natural part of ageing that every woman will experience – but it has been described as being ‘where mental health was 10 years ago’ when it comes to talking about it, and there is still stigma surrounding this life stage. An estimated 13 million women in the UK are living with the menopause. The NHS says it usually occurs between 45 and 55 years of age, but around one in 100 women experience it before turning 40.
Thinner and drier Rebecca Lewis, clinical director at menopause specialist clinic Newson Health Menopause and Wellbeing Centre, says oestrogen deficiency during the menopause can cause symptoms all around the body. As well as causing hot flushes and night sweats, she says, menopause causes low mood, increasing anxiety, poor sleep, muscle and joint aches
and pains, bladder problems and vaginal dryness. Oestrogen also affects hair and skin, meaning hair becomes thinner and drier, and skin becomes drier and itchy. Reduced collagen results in thinner skin, with loss of structure leading to decreased elasticity and wrinkles, Rebecca adds. Newson Health advises women with thinning hair to use a gentle shampoo and good-quality conditioner, and intense hairdrying should be avoided. Matthew Curtis, founder of the Matthew Curtis salon in Stratfordupon-Avon, says his salon offers tailor-made treatments depending on the client’s hair problem. ‘If a client has thin, lifeless hair, we may treat this with a gentle scalp exfoliation to increase bloodflow and extend wellbeing to the scalp area. We can then follow with the densifying treatment, in n which we add radiance to the client’s hair.’
TOP TIPS
TALKING TO CLIENTS Give your clients freedom to explain their situation in as much detail as they feel comfortable with Ensure you refer your client to medical professionals if necessary Avoid pushing clients for answers they feel uncomfortable to disclose: remind them that they can download the Balance app, a safe space full of professional advice on the menopause Adopt a soft, relaxed tone to prevent your client from becoming more distressed.
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e, By learning about this stage of life, salon owners can share their knowledge with clients and staff to t. help bust the myths surrounding it.
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