In addition to its many other functions, estrogen helps control melanin production. Melanin is the pigment in your skin, hair, and eyes. If estrogen levels decrease, melanin production can increase. This leads to hyperpigmentation, commonly known as “age spots.”
Hyperpigmentation is not harmful but can be an indicator of the existence of other medical conditions. It is mainly seen amongst the women suffering from estrogen and progesterone hormone imbalances.
Causes. Melasma is a common skin disorder. It most often appears in young women with brownish skin tone, but it can affect anyone. Melasma is often associated with the female hormones estrogen and progesterone.
“Estrogen-deficient skin can be characterized by dryness, wrinkling, thinness and itching. Interestingly, many women don't associate that with menopause, just with getting older,” says Dr. Berson.
During menopause, lower levels of estrogen have a big impact on your skin. Less estrogen makes you prone to thinning, sagging, and wrinkling. Fortunately, you can relieve some of the skin-related effects of aging by taking care of your specific skin care needs.
In addition to its many other functions, estrogen helps control melanin production. Melanin is the pigment in your skin, hair, and eyes. If estrogen levels decrease, melanin production can increase. This leads to hyperpigmentation, commonly known as “age spots.”
Estrogen and progesterone are two of the major factors responsible for catamenial hyperpigmentation of the skin. Generally, the changes happen in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle when the serum levels of sex hormones are at their peak.
While estrogen likely won't reverse or erase signs of aging, it may offer some protection against wrinkles and other common skin concerns in menopausal women.
For a clearer picture on the significant impact estrogen plays in the skin's appearance, a study of elderly males and females found that administration of topical estrogen increases keratinocyte proliferation and epidermal thickness after only two weeks of use.
Your skin also becomes thinner, because the levels of collagen and elastin also dip along with estrogen. The hormone estrogen is responsible for making skin look younger due to the hyaluronic acid it produces. Estrogen not only affects your skin but also your muscle mass, metabolism, and energy levels.
Age spots are caused by overactive pigment cells. Ultraviolet (UV) light speeds up the production of melanin, a natural pigment that gives skin its color. On skin that has had years of sun exposure, age spots appear when melanin becomes clumped or is produced in high concentrations.
Brown spots are caused by the overproduction of melanin in your skin. Melanin is the pigment that gives your skin, hair and eyes their color. It is produced by cells called melanocytes. Think of melanocytes as sponges that soak up sunlight.
Falling estrogen levels may increase the risk of acne around menopause. The role of progesterone remains unclear. Conditions that affect hormone levels, for example polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) can trigger acne.
Whereas melanin synthesis was once regulated by estrogen, as estrogen levels reduce so the production of melanin can increase and it is melanin that causes the brown age spots to occur. It is a natural process and HRT may help to slow down or even sometimes reduce pigmentation as it rebalances your hormone levels.
“During menopause, some women experience more pigmentation on their face, called melasma, which is modeled pigmentation on the cheeks, upper lip and forehead,” says Dr. Klein. “This is caused by a combination of hormonal changes and sun exposure.
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can help combat the effects of ageing by replenishing the body's levels of hormones such as oestrogen and progesterone. Low hormone levels can cause some age-related changes, such as: Wrinkles. Thinning skin.
The first changes you will probably notice are that your skin will become a bit drier and thinner. Your pores will become smaller and there will be less oil production. You may become more prone to bruising or cuts and in the first few weeks you'll notice that the odors of your sweat and urine will change.
Human growth hormone is described by some as the key to slowing the aging process. Get the facts about these claims. Growth hormone fuels childhood growth and helps maintain tissues and organs throughout life. It's produced by the pea-sized pituitary gland — located at the base of the brain.
Traditional natural hormone replacement therapies
Some plants and supplements that people may take to treat hormonal symptoms include: phytoestrogens, which are dietary estrogens found in legumes, seeds, and whole grains. folate (vitamin B-9 or folic acid)
After menopause (hormonal drop)
Age spots on the face, hands, and chest can look more evident around menopause. This is due to the decrease of oestrogen, leading to lower production of melanin. Skin can then become more susceptible to signs of sun damage, such as age spots and wrinkles.
Have you ever wondered which hormone causes pigmentation? The underlying hormone responsible for triggering the melanocytes is melanocyte stimulating hormone (MSH). This hormone increases the production of melanin, which is responsible for darkening your skin.
Melanocytes in the basal epidermis control skin pigmentation through synthesis of melanin, a complex process thought to be primarily regulated by alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (αMSH) (Figure 1—figure supplement 1A and B).