Physiology of the skin—Differences between women and men

Tur, Ethel

doi:10.1016/s0738-081x(96)00105-8

Cited by 68 publications

(59 citation statements)

References 55 publications

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“…There are indications that most of the reported differences in skin physiology between women and men might be related to hormonal effects [43]. For instance, one study measured changes in TEWL and cutaneous blood flow during the menstrual cycle [44] and another reported differences in the corneocyte surface area between pre- and post-menopausal women [45].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Gender-Related Differences in the Physiology of the Stratum Corneum

et al. 2005

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Background: Only few studies on gender-related differences in skin physiology have been performed – and they provided conflicting results. Objective: In the present study, the effect of gender on the physiology of the stratum corneum was studied. Methods: The physiological parameters transepidermal water loss, pH value, hydration and sebum content were determined on the flexor forearms of 6 female and 6 male volunteers. In addition, stratum corneum samples, removed by tape stripping, were studied for amount, spectroscopic properties, protein content, and mass. Results: The skin of women was characterized by a significantly higher pH value (5.6 ± 0.4) than that of men (4.3 ± 0.4, p < 0.05). Protein absorption was the only other parameter significantly dependent on gender (p < 0.05). Both effects might be caused by differences in human biology, such as hormonal status. Conclusion: Therefore, the gender of the volunteers should be considered in dermatologic studies.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Gender-Related Differences in the Physiology of the Stratum Corneum

et al. 2005

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“…Although age-related changes on the back of the hand have not been reported previously, it is not surprising that sensation on the hairy skin deteriorates less with age, particularly for males. This reflects the distribution of thick terminal hairs (Tur 1997) which may provide greater protection for the hair follicle sensory receptors that are exquisitely sensitive to movement (Vallbo et al 1995).…”

Section: Changes Across the Handmentioning

confidence: 99%

Age-related changes in cutaneous sensation in the healthy human hand

Bowden

McNulty

2012

AGE

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Cutaneous sensation deteriorates with age. It is not known if this change is consistent over the entire hand or if sensation is affected by changes in skin mechanics. Cutaneous perceptual thresholds were tested at eight sites in the glabrous skin and two in the hairy skin of both hands in 70 subjects (20-88 years), five male and five female per decade, using calibrated von Frey filaments, two-point discrimination, and texture discrimination. Venous occlusion at the wrist (40±10 mmHg) and moisturizer were used to alter skin mechanics. Cutaneous thresholds increased significantly with age (p<0.001); von Frey thresholds were 0.04 g [0.02-0.07] (median and interquartile range) in the 20s and 0.16 g [0.04-0.4] in the 80s, with differences between hands for older females (p00.044) but not males. The pattern of changes in cutaneous sensation varied according to the site tested with smaller changes on the fingers compared to the palm. Two-point discrimination deteriorated with age (p00.046), but with no interaction between sex, handedness, or changes in skin mechanics. There were no significant differences for texture discrimination. Changes in skin mechanics improved cutaneous thresholds in the oldest males after moisturizing (p00.001) but not otherwise. These results emphasize the complex pattern of age-related deterioration in cutaneous sensation with differences between sexes, the hands, sites on the hand, and the mode of testing. As the index fingertip is not a sensitive indicator of sensory decline, the minimum assessment of age-related changes in cutaneous sensation should include both hands, and sites on the palm.

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“…The age range of the 3 different groups was quiet close in order to diminish the known effect of ageing on the morphology of corneocytes [30]. As excluding criteria we considered any systemic hormonal treatment or hormonal substitution (also topically applied estrogen) or systemic steroid medication [31,32].…”

Section: Subjectsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Differences in Corneocyte Surface Area in Pre- and Post-Menopausal Women

Fluhr

Pelosi

Lazzerini

et al. 2001

Skin Pharmacol Physiol

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The differences between pre- and postmenopausal women and men on corneocyte surface area were investigated by a noninvasive exfoliation method. Surface corneocytes were collected with a modified detergent scrub technique. Separated corneocytes were analyzed by videomicroscopy and image analyses (NIH Image^TM 1.59). Additionally transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and stratum corneum hydration, water-holding capacity and moisture accumulation velocity were measured. 21 postmenopausal females without hormonal substitution (age 50.6 years), 33 premenopausal women (age 41.0 years) and 25 men matched for age (age 44.0 years) were included in this study. The smallest corneocyte surface area was seen in premenopausal women (368.0 pixels). For postmenopausal women and the male control population almost equal values could be detected (postmenopausal women 401.1 pixels; men 401.8 pixels). Significant differences were calculated with the ANOVA test (p = 0.0050) and post-hoc analyses (Dunn test); premenopausal vs. postmenopausal women (p < 0.05) and premenopausal women vs. men (p < 0.05), but not postmenopausal women vs. men (p > 0.05). No statistically significant differences could be detected for TEWL, stratum corneum hydration parameters. No correlation could be found between the corneocyte surface area and barrier or hydration parameters. The detected differences support the hypothesis that sexual hormones have an impact on corneocyte surface area, because sex hormone levels are higher in premenopausal women than in non-hormone-substituted postmenopausal women or men.

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Physiology of the skin—Differences between women and men

Cited by 68 publications

References 55 publications

Gender-Related Differences in the Physiology of the Stratum Corneum

Gender-Related Differences in the Physiology of the Stratum Corneum

Age-related changes in cutaneous sensation in the healthy human hand

Differences in Corneocyte Surface Area in Pre- and Post-Menopausal Women

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