Skin Aging and Menopause: Implications for Treatment

January 2003 in “ American Journal of Clinical Dermatology ”

N. Raine-Fenning, Mark Brincat, Yves Muscat-Baron

menopause hormonal changes hypoestrogenic state collagen glycoaminoglycans hormone replacement therapy estrogen replacement therapy hair loss skin elasticity wrinkles HRT ERT

Studysummary This article reviews the effects of menopause on skin aging and suggests that hormone replacement therapy may help reverse some of these changes. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.

The 2002 study "Skin Aging and Menopause: Implications for Treatment" found that menopause significantly impacts skin and hair health due to hormonal changes. The hypoestrogenic state of menopause influences dermal cellular metabolism, leading to changes in collagen content, alterations in the concentration of glycoaminoglycans, and a decrease in water content. These changes result in diminished skin elasticity and strength, leading to wrinkles. Hair loss is also associated with the onset of menopause. Hormone replacement therapy was found to potentially slow these effects. The study also highlighted that the negative effects of hypoestrogenemia on the skin often mirror those in internal organs, with estrogen replacement therapy able to partially or completely reverse these changes.

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Research cited in this study

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