Estrogen-deficient skin: The role of topical therapy

Abstract

Menopause is a major turning point in a woman’s life that is characterized by declining ovarian function and decreased serum estrogen levels. The resulting hormonal changes particularly affect the skin, with postmenopausal symptoms such as loss of structural architecture and increased propensity to damage becoming rapidly noticeable. Interestingly, studies have shown that estrogen deprivation in postmenopausal conditions accelerates many skin changes, including dryness, atrophy, fine wrinkling, and poor wound healing. Thus, the effects of low estrogen on the skin are an important endogenous cause of aging skin in women, yet topical treatment strategies that target cutaneous symptoms are limited. The goal of this article is to provide an overview of the role of estrogen in the skin and changes associated with estrogen deficiency, as well as review alternatives to systemic estrogen therapy and describe the effects of these interventions on cutaneous aging in postmenopausal skin. Specifically, clinical studies that utilize topical estrogens and topical isoflavones, which are soy-derived compounds that interact with estrogen receptors, are discussed.

The role of bioidentical hormone replacement therapy in anti‐aging medicine: a review of the literature

“…Reported side effects include temporary breast tenderness and redness at the site of the hormone cream administration. Systemic effects are not reported to be shown by most studies …”

Sexual dimorphism in atrophic effects of topical glucocorticoids is driven by differential regulation of atrophogene REDD1 in male and female skin

“…Further, the analysis of skin atrophy induced by chronic topical FA showed higher sensitivity of female mice to atrophic effects of lower FA doses. This was rather unexpected in view of protective anti-atrophic effects of estrogen in naturally aging skin mostly studied in postmenopausal women [19,33].…”

“…For evaluation of the anti-inflammatory effect of glucocorticoid FA, we used the ear edema test [19,7]. Seven-week-old WT mice of both sexes were pretreated with FA (0.06-1 μg in 20 μl of acetone) or vehicle (20 μl of acetone) administered to the back of the ear lobe 1 h before application of nonspecific contact irritant croton oil (5% solution in 20 μl of acetone).…”

“…Interestingly, in murine skin, estrogens play an important role in the control of epidermis and dermal adipose, while dermis is controlled by androgens [13]. In humans, it is well documented that thinning of the skin and loss of dermal collagen occur with the loss of circulating estrogens in postmenopausal women [18,19].…”

Skin Aging & Modern Age Anti-aging Strategies

“…Menopause: The effects of estrogen deficiency on the skin are an important endogenous cause of aging skin in women. Estrogen's key role in maintaining the skin's structural and functional integrity is well established with evidence that shows that estrogens are essential for skin hydration, sebum production, improved barrier function of the stratum corneum, and increased collagen and elastin content [49]. Following menopause many women detect a swift commencement of skin aging; skin becomes thinner with decreased collagen content, decreased elasticity, increased wrinkling and increased dryness [50].…”