TLDR Estrogen therapy can reduce skin aging but has cancer risks.
The document from April 2013 examines the effects of estrogen deficiency on skin aging, particularly after menopause, and explores potential treatments. Estrogen is crucial for maintaining skin health, affecting cell types and processes like angiogenesis and wound healing. Its deficiency leads to symptoms like skin thinning, decreased collagen, and increased wrinkling. Estrogen replacement, SERMs, and phytoestrogens are discussed as therapies to counteract skin aging. The paper also reviews estrogen's mechanisms of action and its positive effects on wound healing, collagen content, and skin thickness. Additionally, estrogens may prolong the anagen phase of hair growth, influence skin pigmentation, and offer some protection against non-melanoma skin cancers. They also have antioxidant properties that protect against oxidative stress, a key factor in skin aging. The document concludes that while estrogen therapy can mitigate aging effects, it carries risks of breast and uterine cancer, highlighting the need for a better understanding of estrogen action to harness its benefits while minimizing risks.
27 citations,
October 2011 in “British Journal of Dermatology” ESR2 gene variations may be linked to female pattern hair loss.
77 citations,
April 2009 in “British Journal of Dermatology” Aromatase gene variation may increase female hair loss risk.
120 citations,
October 2007 in “Clinical Interventions in Aging” Estrogens help reduce skin aging, and SERMs might offer similar benefits without the risks of hormone therapy.
159 citations,
July 2006 in “Endocrine Reviews” Estrogens significantly influence hair growth by interacting with receptors in hair follicles and may help regulate the hair growth cycle.
68 citations,
June 2005 in “Expert Opinion on Therapeutic Targets” Oestrogens help maintain healthy skin, heal wounds, and may protect against skin aging and cancer.
130 citations,
June 2003 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology Symposium Proceedings” Estrogen Receptor ß (ERß) is the main hormone controller in human skin and hair follicles, not Estrogen Receptor α (ERα) or the Androgen Receptor (AR).
180 citations,
January 2003 in “American Journal of Clinical Dermatology” Menopause can lead to skin and hair problems due to hormonal changes, but hormone replacement therapy might help slow these effects.
137 citations,
June 2005 in “Climacteric” Estrogen loss during menopause worsens skin health, but hormone replacement therapy may improve it, though more research is needed.
76 citations,
May 2007 in “Menopause International” After menopause, women lose a lot of skin collagen, but estrogen replacement might improve skin health.
September 2014 in “Springer eBooks” Men and women experience skin aging differently due to changes in sex hormone levels with age.
138 citations,
May 2000 in “Maturitas” Estrogen replacement can improve skin health in menopausal women but doesn't reverse sun damage or prevent hair loss.
