Effect of estrogens on skin aging and the potential role of SERMs
October 2007
in “Clinical Interventions in Aging”
TLDR Estrogens help reduce skin aging, and SERMs might offer similar benefits without the risks of hormone therapy.
The document from 2007 reviews the effects of estrogens on skin aging and the potential role of selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) in mitigating these effects. Estrogens are shown to be beneficial for skin physiology, including improving wound healing, inflammatory skin disorders, and protection against photoaging and skin cancer. Postmenopausal women experience skin aging symptoms due to reduced estrogen levels, which can be improved with hormone replacement therapy (HRT) by enhancing skin hydration, elasticity, thickness, and reducing wrinkles. However, HRT carries risks such as cardiovascular events and breast cancer. SERMs, which can mimic estrogen's beneficial effects without these risks, are discussed as a potential therapy for skin aging. The document also notes the complex effects of estrogens on hair growth, with some evidence suggesting that estrogens may stimulate human hair growth. Further studies are needed to fully understand the effects of estrogen and SERMs on skin and other organ systems and to optimize their use for skin benefits without systemic effects.
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