Estrogen Functions in Skin and Skin Appendages

June 2005 in “ Expert Opinion on Therapeutic Targets ”

M. Julie Thornton

Studysummary This review discusses the influence of oestrogens on various skin components and highlights their modulatory roles and receptor pathways, but it reports no new clinical results.

Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer

The document from 2005 explores the multifaceted role of oestrogens in skin health and function, detailing their impact on various skin cells and appendages. Oestrogens are shown to delay skin aging, enhance wound healing, and improve inflammatory skin disorders, while also preventing apoptosis in keratinocytes caused by UVB radiation. The paper discusses the biosynthesis of oestrogens and their action through intracellular and cell surface receptors, affecting gene transcription and rapid signalling pathways. It also notes oestrogens' ability to inhibit hair growth and prolong the anagen phase, which has implications for treating female pattern hair loss. Furthermore, oestrogens are found to reduce sebum production and may have a protective role against skin cancer. The complexity of oestrogen action is underscored by the presence of multiple receptors and the involvement of various signalling pathways. However, the document does not provide specific numbers of participants or subjects in the studies it references.

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The Distribution of Estrogen Receptor Beta Is Distinct to That of Estrogen Receptor Alpha and the Androgen Receptor in Human Skin and the Pilosebaceous Unit

research The Distribution of Estrogen Receptor Beta Is Distinct to That of Estrogen Receptor Alpha and the Androgen Receptor in Human Skin and the Pilosebaceous Unit

130 citations , June 2003 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology Symposium Proceedings”

This study found that estrogen receptor beta, not alpha, is the main mediator of estrogen action in human skin and hair follicles, suggesting a distinct role in these tissues.

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research Estrogen Receptor Alpha, But Not Estrogen Receptor Beta, Is Involved in the Regulation of Hair Follicle Cycling and Epidermis Thickness in Male Mice

72 citations , November 2002 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

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research Dermatoses of Pregnancy

208 citations , July 2001 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

This review discusses the classification and diagnosis of pregnancy-related skin conditions and reports no new clinical findings.

research Effects of Sex Steroid Deprivation and Administration on Hair Growth and Skin Sebum Production in Transsexual Males and Females

176 citations , August 2000 in “The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism/Journal of clinical endocrinology & metabolism”

In this study, cross-sex hormone therapy affected hair growth patterns differently, with estrogen reducing hair growth in male-to-female transsexuals and testosterone increasing it in female-to-male transsexuals; however, male typical hair diameters were not fully reached in the latter group after 12 months.

research Hormone Replacement Therapy and the Skin

138 citations , May 2000 in “Maturitas”

This review discusses the effects of estrogen on skin and reports no new clinical results; it highlights estrogen's potential benefits on skin thickness, collagen quality, and hair follicle life cycle.

research In Vitro Main Pathways of Steroid Action in Cultured Hair Follicle Cells: Vascular Approach

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This study found that in vitro treatments with 5alpha-reductase inhibitors and androgen receptor antagonists strongly stimulate VEGF expression in dermal papilla cells.

research Effects of 17-β-Estradiol and ICI 182 780 on Hair Growth in Various Strains of Mice

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research The Organ-Maintained Human Sebaceous Gland

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research An Estrogen Receptor Pathway Regulates the Telogen-Anagen Hair Follicle Transition and Influences Epidermal Cell Proliferation

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This study found that 17-beta-estradiol inhibits hair growth in mice by blocking hair follicles in the telogen phase, whereas an estrogen receptor antagonist promotes hair growth by initiating anagen.

research A Murine Model for Inducing and Manipulating Hair Follicle Regression: Effects of Dexamethasone and Cyclosporin A

124 citations , August 1994 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

This study found that applying dexamethasone to mice induced catagen-like follicle changes significantly earlier and more consistently than a vehicle, such changes being useful for studying hair follicle regression.

research Induction of Follicle Formation and Hair Growth by Vibrissa Dermal Papillae Implanted into Rat Ear Wounds: Vibrissa-Type Fibres Are Specified

125 citations , August 1992 in “Development”

This study found that implanting isolated adult rat dermal papillae into ear cuts led to the emergence of unusually large vibrissa-type hair follicles, demonstrating their capacity to induce specific hair fiber characteristics.