The skin is a hormone-dependent organ. It has steroid hormone receptors through which estrogens, progesterone and testosterone dock and can thus exert their effect. Hormone deficiencies can thus lead to dermatological problems.
The modes of action
It is considered certain that hormone therapies or supplemental hormone treatments have a beneficial effect on:
- Quality of the epidermis (cuticle).
- Collagen and elastin content and the moisture content of the skin.
- Vaginal tissue and the urethra
The following hormones are used in hormone therapy of the skin:
- Estrogens – improve collagen synthesis and blood circulation.
- Progesterone – inhibition of collagenases (inhibition of collagen degradation).
- Testosterone – leads to crossing over (cross-shaped collagen strands) this is responsible for the connective and adipose tissue gets its hold (anti-cellulite factor) – furthermore to the inhibition of collagenases.
Below is detailed the influence of hormones on the skin.
Influence of hormones on the epidermis (epidermis)
Estrogens have an anabolic effect on the epidermis, that is, stimulating the activity of the stratum germinativum. The effect of estrogens occurs via the induction of IGF-1 in the skin. IGF-1 receptors can be detected in the stratum basale (basal layer) and stratum spinosum (prickle cell layer). Furthermore, estrogens stimulate the release of histamine from mast cells. Furthermore, estrogens – 17β-estradiol – have an influence on the size and melanin content of melanocytes, i.e. they have a stimulating effect: It is known that estrogens – for example present in a contraceptive (anti-baby pill) or produced in increased amounts during pregnancy – can lead to hyperpigmentation (chloasma) on the face. Progestogens can also contribute to this to a small extent. Estrogens have antioxidant protection for the skin by scavenging radicals. Testosterone has a stimulating effect on keratinocytes via a keratinocyte-growth-factor (synonym: fibroblast growth factor-7) and leads to an increase in keratin content. Vitamin D3 and thyroxine jointly influence keratinocyte proliferation.
Influence of hormones on the dermis (corium)
Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), which degrade collagen fibrils, are inhibited by progesterone and testosterone. MMPs are activated by too much UV light on the skin and by the pollutants of smoking. 17-Beta-estradiol also down-regulates MMPs. Estrogens – estradiol – stimulate collagen synthesis (but only where the skin has no UV damage) and also have a positive effect on elastin. This results in a better interlocking of the epidermis and the subcutis (lower skin layer). The important thing here is not collagen synthesis (new formation), but the balance between formation and degradation. Estrogens together with vitamin D, vitamin A and thyroid hormones stimulate new skin formation from stem cells and promote skin blood circulation. Caution. Increased estradiol dose leads to increased activity of collagenases! Estrogens also stimulate the synthesis of hyaluronic acid, which is an important component of glycosaminoglycans (GAG). Glycosaminoglycans are divided into the following groups:
- Hyaluronic acid
- Chondroitin sulfate
- Heparan sulfate
- Keratan sulfate
Glycosaminoglycans serve to stabilize the skin by storing water. Thus, they are a reflection of the freshness of the skin.
Influence of hormones on the subcutis (subcutaneous tissue)
The dominant cell type of the hypodermis is adipocytes (cells of adipose tissue), which accumulate in the visceral (“concerning the viscera” ) area (android body fat distribution) in the second half of life. This equally causes an increase in inflammation and a loss of subcutaneous fat padding; estrogens and progesterone stimulate endothelial lipoprotein lipase activity, which has a preservative effect on subcutaneous adipocytes.
Influence of hormones on sebaceous glands
Aging of sebaceous glands Sebaceous gland function is dependent on sex hormones (androgens, estrogens). Their functional capacity decreases to half in old age compared to young people. The cause of aging is intrinsic factors as well as decreasing secretion of sex hormones (estrogens, testosterone) and growth hormones (STH, IGF-1). Conclusion.The influence of hormones on the skin is significant. Before starting hormone cosmetics, the endocrinological status should be determined – see menopause, andropause and somatopause. Hormone cosmetics should always consist of an estrogen-containing cream combined with progesterone. Both creams containing 0.01 % estradiol and 0.3 % estriol are suitable for this purpose. Furthermore, in addition to topical therapy, oral therapy with micronutrients (vital substances) – see micronutrient therapy – should always be given. Skin studies have shown that regular topical hormone therapy (hormone cosmetics) reduces skin dehydration by 24% and wrinkle formation by up to 30%. Even under hormone replacement therapy (HRT), the skin benefits from additional application of an estradiol cream. Hormone cosmetics undoubtedly slow down the aging of the skin.
