Factors Influencing Skin Aging and the Important Role of Estrogens and Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators (SERMs)

Abstract

The narrative for this overview focuses on updating the factors that influence skin aging and the important role estrogens and selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) play in this process (mainly utilizing journal reports and reviews from the last four years). Estrogens have been known and studied for over a century. For many years, it has been recognized that estrogens are important in the maintenance of human skin. Women seek cosmetic and medical treatments to improve dermal health and physical characteristics to enhance their self-perception and inhibit skin aging, particularly in highly visible body areas. The goal: to retain estrogen’s positive benefits while aging and especially at/after menopause where estrogen-deficient skin contributes to the dramatic decline in skin health. In this overview, both background information and recent novel findings are included that cover aging (general mechanisms), skin aging, and factors that influence skin aging (intrinsic, extrinsic, skin microbiome and gut microbiome.) Plus, estrogen’s general role in maintaining skin health is presented through the classical estrogen receptors alpha (α) and beta (β) and non-classical (or non-genomic) estrogen receptor (G protein-coupled seven transmembrane receptor). More importantly, the various benefits of 17β-estradiol in skin health are examined (ie, skin collagen and elastin profiles that follow 17β-estradiol levels during aging and at/after menopause). Finally, a revision of information for estrogenic skin topical applications involving isoflavonoid compounds that act as SERMs, but are classified as endocrine disruptors, and a topical estrogen analog are explored to update the known and unknown characteristics of these treatments. Further study is warranted to understand the biological and molecular mechanisms by which estrogens support and enhance dermal health and wellbeing.

In Silico Prediction of Human Organ Toxicity via Artificial Intelligence Methods

“…As reported in published research, the occurrence of estrogen receptors in skin specimens was investigated and estrogens are important in the maintenance of human skin . Estrogen-deficiency contributes to the dramatic decline in skin health . And selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) have the potential therapy value for diminishing skin aging .…”

Development of an epigenetic clock to predict visual age progression of human skin

“…Moreover, our analysis of the VisAgeX clock identified diverse biological pathways known for their association with skin aging, including estrogen response, which has been shown to play an important role in maintaining dermal health and anti-aging properties by binding to estrogen receptors in the skin, thereby affecting collagen and elastin profiles during aging and at/post menopause ( Ganceviciene et al, 2012 ; Thornton, 2013 ; Lephart and Naftolin, 2022 ). It also highlighted the importance of the response to UV radiation which is known to be a major driver of photoaging, characterized by the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), upregulation of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), particularly MMP2, and degradation of collagen and other extracellular matrix components, contributing to wrinkle formation and skin aging ( Gronniger et al, 2010 ; Rinnerthaler et al, 2015 ; Kim et al, 2022 ).…”

Examining Constraints: A Critical Appraisal of Autoimmune Diseases and Facial Aging Study [Letter]

“…These variables include socioeconomic status, environmental factors like pollution and sunlight exposure, lifestyle parameters such as skincare routines, tobacco use, and dietary habits. 2 Moreover, focusing solely on 18 autoimmune diseases overlooks potential contributions from other autoimmune conditions, leading to an incomplete understanding of the overall relationship.…”