Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has been shown to increase epidermal hydration, elasticity and skin thickness (Sator et al 200) and also reduce skin wrinkles (Phillips et al 200). In addition, the content and quality of collagen and the level of vascularization improve (Brincat et al. 198). Research results show that estrogen therapy can improve collagen and skin thickness within three months, and some studies have seen visible skin improvements in as little as two weeks.
It turns out that one of the effects of taking estrogen through topical creams with estriol or MHT is that it can increase collagen levels even after menopause. As the population of postmenopausal women increases, interest in the effects of estrogen increases. The influence of estrogen on several body systems is well documented; however, one area that hasn't been explored is the effects of estrogen on the skin. Estrogen seems to help prevent skin aging in a number of ways.
This reproductive hormone prevents the decline of skin collagen in postmenopausal women; topical and systemic estrogen therapy can increase the collagen content of the skin and, therefore, maintain skin thickness. In addition, estrogen maintains skin moisture by increasing acidic mucopolysaccharides and hyaluronic acid in the skin and, possibly, maintaining the barrier function of the stratum corneum. Sebum levels are higher in postmenopausal women receiving hormone replacement therapy. Skin wrinkles can also benefit from estrogen as a result of the hormone's effects on elastic fibers and collagen.
In addition to its influence on skin aging, estrogen has been suggested to increase skin wound healing by regulating levels of a cytokine. In fact, topical estrogen has been found to accelerate and improve wound healing in older men and women. The role of estrogen in healing is not clear, but recent studies indicate that a lack of estrogen or the addition of tamoxifen can improve the quality of healing. Unlike skin aging, the role of endogenous and exogenous estrogens in melanoma is not well established.
Collagen is a protein that provides structure and elasticity to the skin. It is what keeps the skin firm, smooth and young. Unfortunately, as hormone levels decline with age, so does collagen production. This decrease in collagen leads to the formation of wrinkles and sagging skin.
By replenishing estrogen levels through BHRT, you stimulate your body to produce more collagen, which helps restore skin firmness and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Conversely, combined hormone therapy with estrogen and progesterone can increase fat secretion, which can help alleviate dry skin. By balancing estrogen levels, TRH helps regulate melanin production, reducing the likelihood of age spots and promoting a more even skin tone. HRT counteracts these effects by increasing the production of collagen and elastin, which thickens the skin and restores its elasticity.
After treatment with topical hormone replacement therapy, these women were found to have a statistically significant increase in type I collagen and a 38% increase in hydroxyproline levels, which was not affected by chronological or menopausal age. By using hormone replacement therapy to replace these hormone levels, you can help your skin maintain its structure and function. He conducted a prospective longitudinal comparative trial on the effect of oral HRT on a series of non-invasive biophysical tensile properties of the facial skin of 140 menopausal women. Several randomized controlled trials have been conducted to analyze the effect of hormone therapy on physical parameters of the skin, such as thickness and collagen content.
Larger and more robust high-quality studies are needed to further evaluate the relationship between hormone therapy and the changes caused by skin aging. Whether systemic or localized hormone therapy is used, both treatments can improve skin health and appearance and help women confidently cope with physical changes that occur naturally with aging. A study published in Fertility and Sterility found that postmenopausal women who had used hormone therapy continuously since menopause had greater skin elasticity and significantly fewer wrinkles compared to women who had never received hormone therapy. By restoring balance to hormone levels, hormone replacement therapy can delay or even reverse some of the signs of aging, such as dryness, thinning, and loss of elasticity.
If you notice changes in your skin and want to regain that youthful glow, it may be time to consider hormone replacement therapy. By replenishing estrogen through hormone therapy, you can reduce the depth and amount of wrinkles and even prevent the formation of new wrinkles. Larger and stronger randomized controlled trials are needed to further evaluate the links between HRT and skin aging, with the hope that one day HRT may be prescribed for the treatment of skin aging conditions in post-menopausal women. While there is a risk of potential adverse effects, bioidentical HRT treatments are thought to have fewer dermatological side effects than synthetic hormones.
