Menopause

from Salonfocus Winter 2022

by National Hair & Beauty Federation

60 seconds with

Menopause 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. Th e 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 defi ciency during the menopause can cause symptoms all around the body. As well as causing hot fl ushes 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 aff ects 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 off ers 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 bloodfl ow and extend wellbeing to the scalp area. We can then follow with n the densifying treatment, in which we add radiance to the client’s hair.’

By learning about this stage of life, e, salon owners can share their knowledge with clients and staff to to help bust the myths surrounding it. t. AS TIME

WORDS KATHY OXTOBY

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.

ANNE WILKINSON OPENING UP A CONVERSATION

During her forties, Anne Wilkinson, near Stratford-uponAvon, had a partial hysterectomy, which she describes as ‘traumatic’. Years later, she says hormone replacement therapy for the menopause has transformed her life – as have her visits to the Matthew Curtis salon. ‘All the staff are trained to discuss menopause signs and symptoms. Rather than menopause being unmentionable, they open up a conversation about it,’ she says.

From offering treatments for dry, thinning hair, to signposting information about vitamin supplements, exercise and dietary advice, staff give clients ‘the education and confi dence to talk about the menopause’, adds Anne.

They also address the stigma – and Anne hopes other salon owners will be inspired to do the same. ‘Ensuring salon staff have training and awareness about the menopause is so important for clients, both for their physical and mental health and wellbeing.’

SUPPORT AT WORK HR GUIDELINES

Have an accessible menopause policy and associated manager guidelines in place so that both employees and managers know where to look for guidance and support at work.

The policy provides a useful starting point for discussion, but on its own it is not enough. Tangible action will often be required to support menopausal employees – for example, agreeing to adjust an employee’s shift pattern.

An absence management policy and a fl exible working policy can also be useful for dealing with menopause issues.

Train managers on how to deal with workplace issues associated with menopause in order to improve their confi dence and knowledge.

Make menopause and other

‘taboo’ subjects part of everyday conversation so that employees are more likely to open up and share their challenges. Lorna Gemmell,employment law and HR training manager at WorkNest, which provides employment law, HR and health and safety advice.

For women with hair loss – both clients and salon colleagues – the medication Minoxidil is ‘very eff ective in decreasing the amount of hair loss while increasing blood fl ow to the hair follicles, stimulating and prolonging hair growth in the process,’ he continues.

To manage dry skin, Newson Health says it’s best to ‘avoid products that lather, foam or bubble, as these will simply strip away grease from the skin’, and advises moisturising twice a day.

A helping hand

Salon staff can play a vital role. Th e Matthew Curtis salon is training stylists to speak to clients about this stage of life, and is working with Newson Health founder Dr Louise Newson to signpost women to expert advice and guidance about the menopause.

Staff appreciate being given the knowledge to advise clients, and the training has been ‘great for client retention’, says Matthew. ‘Clients see us as people who have helped give them a piece of their life back.’

Th e initiative has also ‘debunked a lot of menopause myths for staff and clients, and created a safe space for people to talk openly about their menopause problems’, he says.

Information and education

Talking about the menopause and raising awareness can reduce the stigma, says Rebecca. ‘Th e hairdressing and beauty profession is ideally placed to do this as they often have a trusted and close relationship with their clients, who often fi nd it really helpful to open up about how the menopause is aff ecting them.’

13 M

women in the UK are living with the menopause

59%

of working women aged 45 to 55 say it’s had a negative impact on them at work

With so many myths surrounding menopause, evidence-based information is key. Matthew, for example, directs his clients to Newson Health’s free app (see Resources), where they can access expert content about the menopause.

Matthew believes ‘men also need to be better educated’ to create a positive culture around this stage of life – and workforce culture needs to change too. A 2019 study by not-forprofi t company Newson Health Research and Education shows that 10% of menopausal women give up work completely due to the menopause, 20% leave their jobs, 51% reduce their hours, and 52% take time off due to their symptoms.

Sarah Davies is co-founder and director of Talking Menopause, which delivers training to create positive change in organisations. She says it’s important to have conversations with staff about the menopause and for them to know they’re supported – for example, by ensuring they have a safe space in the staff room for time out. Proven strategies include fl exible working patterns, regular breaks and access to ventilation, she adds.

Last year, Matthew joined forces with

Newson Health to launch a UK-wide campaign for ‘menopause safe space salons’. Salons that sign up will receive menopause training and advice, and Matthew hopes it will empower menopausal women ‘to take control of their own bodies again’. ‘We want to make sure people have the right knowledge. It’s still a taboo subject but it’s something that aff ects all of us, whatever our gender. Menopause matters. And we need to talk about it.’