Estrogen appears to aid in the prevention of the skin’s aging in several ways. Topical and systemic estrogen therapy can increase the skin collagen content and therefore maintain skin thickness. In addition, estrogen maintains skin moisture by increasing ceramides and hyaluronic acid in the skin and by maintaining the stratum corneum’s barrier function. Sebum levels are higher in postmenopausal women receiving hormone replacement therapy. The wrinkling of skin may also be lessened with estrogen as a result of the effects of the hormone on the elastic fibers and collagen. And aside from of its influence on skin aging, it has been suggested that estrogen increases wound healing by regulating the levels of cytokines, proteins that generate an immune response. In fact, topical estrogen has been found to accelerate and improve wound healing in elderly men and women.
Benefits from taking hormones are dose dependent and are also affected by whether you start taking the hormones during perimenopause or postmenopause. There are compelling reasons to consider hormonal treatment as part of a battle plan for wrinkles. It is a multifaceted, controversial issue, with possible risks you need to consider. The following information will provide an overview to help you create a dialogue with your physician to evaluate all the options available to you.
(Sources: Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, September 2008, pages 391-404; British Medical Journal, May 2008, pages 1227-1231; Clinical Interventions in Aging, 2007, volume 2, issue 3, pages 283-297; and International Journal of Cosmetic Science, October 2006, pages 335-341.)