Hormone Replacement Therapy and the Skin
May 2000
in “
Maturitas
”
hormone replacement therapy HRT estrogen collagen skin thickness vascularization estrogen receptors postmenopausal skin hypoestrogenism hair follicle life cycle skin aging skin hydration photoaging menopausal hair loss hormone therapy estrogen therapy collagen skin thickness blood flow estrogen receptors postmenopausal skin low estrogen hair growth cycle skin aging skin moisture sun damage hair loss
TLDR Estrogen replacement can improve skin health in menopausal women but doesn't reverse sun damage or prevent hair loss.
The document from May 2000 examines the effects of hormone replacement therapy (HRT), particularly estrogen, on the skin. It reports that estrogen improves skin health by increasing collagen content and skin thickness, and enhancing vascularization. Estrogen receptors are found in skin structures, and their concentration varies by body part. Postmenopausal skin deterioration due to hypoestrogenism can be reversed with estrogen replacement, which also benefits hair by extending the hair follicle life cycle. However, skin aging is influenced by other factors like age and environment, not just estrogen. The document reviews studies with mixed results on HRT's impact on skin collagen and vascularization, and notes that while HRT can improve skin hydration and treat certain conditions, it does not reverse photoaging effects. Menopausal hair loss seems resistant to hormonal treatment. The document concludes that estrogen replacement can partially or completely reverse menopausal skin changes, but acknowledges that research in this area is still developing, with new techniques to study cellular changes only recently becoming available.
