Hormones are chemical messengers that orchestrate every function within the body.
In particular, the hormones of reproduction determine hair and skin health, and the ebb and flow of life influence many changes in your skin, from teenage acne to the visible signs of ageing.
The reproductive hormones oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone all play their part individually and in harmony to activate changes in the skin throughout life—Puberty, pregnancy, postpartum, perimenopause, menopause, and post-menopause will all affect the skin in some way.
How do these hormones affect your skin?
The three main hormones, eostrogen, progesterone and testosterone, affect the skin in various ways.
Let’s take a closer look.
Eostrogen has a vital role to play in the skin. Collagen and elastin are the components that provide support structures to the skin, as well as hyaluronic acid, which provides natural moisture and makes up the skin matrix. All three components depend upon oestrogen receptors within the skin for proper function to keep the skin healthy and vibrant.
Beyond its role in fertility, progesterone regulates sebum production, which keeps the skin lubricated and naturally moisturised, providing a protective effect to promote skin radiance. [1]
Testosterone belongs to a group of hormones known as androgens and is essential to male sexuality; however, regardless of gender, testosterone is present in the skin and influences oil flow, acne conditions and hair growth. [2]
How hormones affect the skin as we age.
When the reproductive hormones are balanced, the skin remains moisturised, voluminous, robust in structure and resilience, and smooth, radiant, and wrinkle-free.
As women enter perimenopause, menopause and post-menopause, these hormones begin to decline. While the deficiency can take many years from perimenopause starting in the early 40s to post-menopause, which most women reach by their early 50s, the decline in collagen and elastin be dramatic.
The onset of menopause is a time of concern for women as visible changes to collagen and elastin become increasingly noticeable.
For many menopausal women, the decline in collagen and elastin noticeably accelerates in the first five years after menopause, leading to pronounced wrinkling and sagging in the skin. [3]
Solutions for ageing skin.
Despite the rapid changes in the skin as women enter menopause, there are ways to induce new collagen formation and keep the skin hydrated and healthy to minimise the visible signs of ageing.
The following solutions can assist in slowing down signs of ageing to the face, neck and decolletage.
Cosmeceutical skincare can provide the essential ingredients that support skin health, improve cellular turnover and encourage the production of new collagen to minimise fine lines and wrinkles with improved skin texture and tone.
Microneedling is a medical treatment where a pen or roller with surgical needles is passed over the skin to cause a micro wound, stimulating growth hormones to create new healthy collagen to reduce wrinkling and sagging in the skin.
Anti-wrinkle treatments provide non-surgical solutions to relax underlying muscle contractions to minimise frown lines, and dermal fillers can add volume where wrinkling and sagging skin has become pronounced.
Non-surgical anti-ageing solutions are also widely available in skin clinics. They range from radio or high-intensity ultrasound for skin tightening and firming to laser treatments for improved tone and texture.
Getting the advice you need.
Our hormones significantly impact the health and appearance of our skin throughout our lives, from puberty to menopause. While hormonal changes can contribute to skin ageing, there are various solutions to maintain the health of your skin and slow down the visible signs of ageing.
If you’re concerned about changes in your skin, speak with a healthcare professional to determine the best course of action.
Speak with your healthcare professional before undertaking any cosmetic treatments to ensure the treatment is suitable and tailored to your individual needs.
It can feel overwhelming when we see the visible signs of ageing accelerate. By taking care of our skin and seeking professional guidance, we can help keep our skin looking healthy and youthful for as long as possible.
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[1] N. Kanda and S. Watanabe, “Regulatory roles of sex hormones in cutaneous biology and immunology,” J Dermatol Sci, vol. 38, no. 1, pp. 1–7, Apr. 2005, doi: 10.1016/J.JDERMSCI.2004.10.011.
[2] C. C. Zouboulis, “(No Title),” Sexual Hormones in Skin … Horm Metab Res, vol. 39, pp. 85–95, 2007, doi: 10.1055/s-2007-961807.
[3] S. Stevenson and J. Thornton, “Effect of estrogens on skin aging and the potential role of SERMs Estrogens and skin biology,” 2007.