The effect of testosterone on the skin (English)

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Hormone testosterone, which is considered a male hormone, can completely change all processes in a woman’s body. In particular, on how her figure, skin and hair look. How does this happen?

How does testosterone affect a woman's muscles?

What kind of muscle mass a woman will have - sluggish and flabby or elastic and strong - depends on the work testosterone. If there is a lack of testosterone in a woman’s body, then her muscle mass will decrease. Metabolism will slow down, and the woman will begin to gain weight.

And vice versa - normal testosterone levels ensure that your exercise and healthy eating will pay off handsomely: you will have elastic, beautiful muscles.

When, during menopause, testosterone in a woman’s body becomes less and less, fat deposits form, primarily in the area of the mammary glands and abdomen. Testosterone tends to influence the formation of new muscles. It also helps keep them in good shape.

The older you are, the more significant testosterone loss you can expect. To maintain normal metabolism and muscles, you need a reasonable balance of testosterone and estradiol.

Testosterone is important for building bones

Bone tissue - its condition - also depends on the level of testosterone in the body. If there is enough testosterone, this is an excellent prevention of osteoporosis.

The effect of testosterone on bone health is even more powerful than that of the female hormone estrogen, a recognized “positive” hormone that tends to protect tissue and bones from damage.

When a woman begins menopause, she begins to rapidly lose the hormones estradiol and testosterone, which are extremely important for strong bones and muscles.

This process takes place much faster than in men - their period of weakening body tissue lasts for years, since they lose testosterone much more slowly and in small quantities.

This must be taken into account and be sure to check your hormonal levels in time.

Testosterone against chronic fatigue syndrome

This hormone, like no other, helps a woman feel more alert and in good shape. Research shows that sufficient levels of testosterone help fight chronic overwork and fatigue.

There are situations when a woman who takes vitamins and has healthy sleep, as well as a healthy diet, still feels fatigued, weak, and tired.

Such women definitely need to undergo testing for testosterone levels in the blood. Otherwise, she may never identify the reasons for her negative state.

How does testosterone affect a woman's brain?

Testosterone has the property of activating the functioning of sex receptors through commands from the brain. That is, having a sufficient level of testosterone in the body, a person (men and women) has everything in order with sexual desire.

But that is not all. Testosterone affects areas of the brain in such a way as to improve a woman's mood, reduce depression and promote a feeling of satisfaction.

Thanks to testosterone, a person can better remember, concentrate, and perceive new knowledge.

Therefore, if you have mood swings, absent-mindedness and even depression, you should simply check your testosterone levels. If you have a deficiency of this hormone, you should replenish its reserves, and the problem of depression can be easily relieved.

What are the dangers of elevated testosterone levels?

The cause of increased testosterone levels may be its excessive production by the genitals or intake in the form of chemicals.

The result of an increase in the level of this hormone is insomnia, nightmares during sleep, and sexual aggression.

At the behavioral level, a person can make a mess. He can shout at others for no reason, react angrily to every little thing, and get irritated for no apparent reason.

If excess testosterone is observed in women who play sports, they also experience increased appetite. And besides, such athletes begin to intensively build up muscles and fats.

With an excess of testosterone, women's figures change. Fat deposits appear in the waist and abdomen area, resembling waves. You can no longer fit into your favorite skirt or jeans.

The same effect is observed with high levels of not only testosterone, but also other androgens, in particular androstenedione and even DHEA.

What to do with weight?

Are you struggling to lose those extra pounds, but they keep piling up? Is your appetite increasing? It's all to blame for testosterone, which increases the production of the hormone norepinephrine in the brain.

Therefore, if you want to take antidepressants, first consult an endocrinologist to check your testosterone levels. Because, in combination with antidepressants, increased doses of testosterone and estradiol contribute to rapid weight gain.

Scientific research shows that testosterone works best when it has an optimal ratio with estradiol.

Estradiol ensures that testosterone has a stronger effect on the body, giving away all its beneficial properties. If there is no estradiol in the body or there are small amounts of it, testosterone receptors will not be able to work properly in our brain.

How does testosterone affect healthy sleep?

If you don't sleep well, you have poor weight control. This is proven by numerous scientific studies. If you are stressed, even while you sleep, hormonal imbalance will prevent you from sleeping properly.

The hormones cortisol and insulin, the secretion of which sharply increases, further increase a woman’s anxiety even in her sleep.

And increased doses of testosterone with a decrease in the amount of estradiol further aggravate this condition. You sleep even worse, gain extra weight, and your overall health worsens.

If you take the hormone testosterone before bed, you will experience constant sleep disturbances and nightmares in your dreams. A person in this state will feel overwhelmed and weak.

This is explained by the fact that testosterone has the greatest effect on a person in the 4th phase of sleep. It is during this phase that our muscle and bone tissues are restored, our nerve cells are restored, and we rest best. At this time, adolescents (and even people under 21) produce growth hormone.

If in the 4th phase of sleep you sleep poorly and restlessly, all these processes will be destroyed. Therefore, it is best to take testosterone in the morning to stimulate the body, rather than in the evening.

What to do if you have excess testosterone?

We already know that with excess testosterone, fat accumulates around the waist and breast area, and weight is difficult to control. Other signs of excess testosterone:

Increased hair growth, especially on the legs, arms, upper lip and armpits
Sudden scalp hair loss
Acne that is very difficult to remove - it comes back again
Excessive aggressiveness, which alternates with weakness and weakness
Sleep disorders
Pain in the ovarian area
Pain in the lumbar region

If you have all of these signs, you should check your hormone levels:

If there are more of these hormones in your body than normal, you may develop the following diseases:

Polycystic ovary syndrome
Ovarian tumor
Tumor in the adrenal gland

Additional examination methods: ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography. These examinations will help you get rid of diseases in their initial stages.

Janine: Providing nutritional advice for patients to follow in their home care program has become an integral part of the therapist's work. If a cosmetologist wants to move with the times and begin to consider this topic from different angles, then he needs to start by accumulating knowledge: reading and taking special courses related to this issue.

All these torments from acne in adolescence, itching, premenstrual rashes, skin problems during pregnancy and changes that occur with it after menopause. What does this have in common? Sex hormones.

Therapists know about the enormous influence of sex hormones on the appearance of the skin. In men, this effect is especially noticeable during puberty, when an “outbreak” of acne occurs. Since women have consistently unstable levels of hormones in their blood, they face this problem throughout their adult lives. But it's not only that. The difference is also in the dominant hormones of each sex.

What are hormones?

Hormones are, so to speak, “messengers” that influence certain cells of the body. Those hormones that are produced by the endocrine glands are released into the bloodstream and distributed throughout the body. But they only affect cells that have special receptors for hormones. The tissue that is affected by the hormone is called the target tissue. The cells that form this tissue, in the cell membrane or within the cytoplasm, have receptors to which a certain hormone is “connected”. The task of the receptors is to recognize the presence of such a hormone. As soon as it “connects”, a message is transmitted to the nucleus, where, through the production of proteins and the synthesis of enzymes, the necessary actions will begin.

Hormones will begin to influence the body only if they can dock with the receptor. Otherwise, no matter how high the level of hormones in the blood is, there will be no effect. The more receptors there are in a certain area, the more sensitive it is to a particular hormone.

The skin consists of receptors for several types of hormones:

· Estrogen – female sex hormone;

Androgens – male sex hormones;

Progesterone A – precursor hormone for male and female hormones.

Many endocrine diseases and abnormalities affect the hormonal balance throughout the body. This can lead to an imbalance of sex hormones, affecting the condition of our skin.

Hormones affecting the skin

Estrogen:

· Increased rate of renewal of the cell population in the basal layer of the epidermis;

· Reducing the size and activity of the sebaceous glands;

· Sebum secretion decreases;

· Hair growth decreases;

· The effect of the enzyme hyaluronidase, which produces hyaluronic acid, increases;

· Skin is maintained metabolically active;

· It also stimulates the activity of connective tissue cells, but research in this area is still ongoing (these cells contain estrogen and produce hyaluronic acid).

The effect of female hormones on the skin

The effect of estrogen on the skin is evident in women: due to its effect on the size and activity of the sebaceous glands, women, compared to men, have smaller pores and drier skin.
Estrogen also stimulates the production of hyaluronic acid, which is one of the main components of the skin's foundation and allows it to remain hydrated. Thanks to it, the skin will have less stretching and will remain elastic and moisturized, as well as smooth and soft, which is so typical for women’s skin. Conversely, androgens stimulate collagen production, leading to thick, rough skin in men.

Progesterone

The skin contains receptors for progesterone, but its effect on the skin is still unknown. However, we know that it can interact with estrogen receptors.

Androgens:

· Increased rate of renewal of the cell population in the basal layer of the epidermis;

· Increased size and activity of the sebaceous glands;

· Increased hair growth;

· Increases collagen production by stimulating connective tissue cells that produce proteins necessary for collagen synthesis.

In men, the level of androgenic hormones is much higher, and since they have a direct effect on the skin, there is a huge difference between the skin of men and women. Because of these hormones, the sebaceous glands are larger, therefore, the pores are wider. Androgens stimulate connective tissue cells responsible for the production of collagen and elastin. Little is known about their effect on elastin production, but many studies have been devoted to their effect on collagen synthesis: testosterone has been found to increase its production. Androgens lead to thickening of the skin surrounding the pilosebaceous complex.

One of the most undesirable consequences for the skin is acne, which can range from some strange spot to the fourth degree of severity. Despite the fact that the real cause of the development of the disease is unknown, some facts have been established: acne during puberty is the result of improper production of sebum, thickening of the skin, atypical skin microflora and, as a result, inflammation.
Androgens cause congestion, causing thickening of the skin, and also increase the production of sebum. However, we often encounter acne with signs of dry skin. Androgen dominance reduces the effect of estrogen and leads to increased sebum production, which eventually blocks the sebaceous ducts. As a result, oil cannot reach the surface of the skin, and it appears dry.

It would be logical to assume that everyone suffering from acne has high levels of male sex hormones in the blood. But studies have shown that this is only true for 50-70% of women with acne. So not everyone's androgen levels are compromised. It is also interesting that not all people with hormonal imbalances develop acne. It turns out that the factor that determines whether a person will suffer from acne is androgen sensitivity, and it can be hereditary. According to studies, identical twins develop the same type of acne, while identical twins may not.

There are also racial and national differences: Japanese are less susceptible to the disease than Chinese, and Caucasians are more susceptible to it than Africans.
To complicate things further, the ovaries and adrenal glands only produce 50% of androgens. The second half is produced, so to speak, “in situ”, in tissues, for example, in the skin. Weak androgens can be converted into strong androgens in the hair follicles. The result of this is increased exposure of androgens to the skin, while their levels in the blood will not be high. This is also a hereditary trait.
To summarize, of course, androgen hormones are part of the problem with acne because they lead to thickening of the skin and excess production of sebum, which blocks the ducts. However, for them to lead to such consequences, a person must have congenital, hereditary sensitivity to these hormones.

Premenstrual rashes

In the first half of the menstrual cycle, estrogen is the dominant hormone, and it extends its control to the sebaceous glands, regulating sebum production. After ovulation, the corpus luteum forms in the ovary, which begins to produce excess amounts of progesterone, making it the dominant hormone in the second half of the cycle. The effects of progesterone on the skin are unknown, although the skin has receptors for this hormone. It can also interact with estrogen receptors, thereby regulating its effect on the sebaceous glands. Thus, the amount of dense sebum in the ducts increases, which is the cause of premenstrual rashes.

Pregnancy and hormones

Women have long noted that pregnancy affects the skin differently. Some, to their delight, notice that their skin has become smooth and glowing, while others, to their great disappointment, find that their skin changes for the worse and pimples appear.
The dominant hormone during pregnancy is progesterone, which is produced by the placenta in huge quantities: ten to twenty times more than during the menstrual cycle.

We don't know exactly what effect progesterone has on the skin, but it may control the actions of estrogen, which normally regulates the activity of the sebaceous glands. To further complicate matters, while progesterone levels in the body are high, androgen levels are low. Maybe these two contradictory facts explain why some people have great skin during pregnancy and others don't. Obviously, our knowledge in this area is not yet sufficient for an accurate answer.

Menopause

Hormonal changes, unless induced by surgery, occur gradually during menopause. The menstrual cycle becomes irregular, and ovulation occurs less and less often. And then one day it stops completely.

At this point, several things happen: Progesterone production stops because the corpus luteum that produces it only forms during ovulation. Estrogen production by the ovaries is greatly reduced, and estrone becomes the dominant hormone.
Estrone is formed due to the conversion of androgens in adipose tissue (peripheral conversion of estrogen). It is a very weak estrogen (twelve times weaker than estradiol produced by the ovaries). Because the ovaries produce minute amounts of estradiol, the main source of estrogen available to the body is now estrone, even though levels of this weak hormone drop to two-thirds of normal levels during menstruation. The end result of all these changes is a greatly reduced effect of estrogen and progesterone on the body.

Meanwhile, testosterone production by the ovaries continues after menopause in the same amount as during menstruation. The effect of this hormone is now becoming more noticeable because estrogen previously inhibited its effect. This unbalanced testosterone often stimulates the hair matrix, causing facial hair growth. It can also lead to recurrence of acne or the development of seborrheic eczema.

Lack of estrogen leads to decreased activity of the enzyme hyaluronidase, which produces hyaluronic acid. Low levels of glycosaminoglycan (hyaluronic acid produces a high percentage of this substance) means that the skin will become thinner and lose elasticity. It may remain soft to the touch, but will lose its smoothness. There is also a decrease in the skin's reflection of light, causing it to look dull and dry. Stress can also disrupt the delicate hormonal balance, disrupting the cycle and even causing it to stop completely.

The effect of hormones on the skin

Many endocrine diseases and abnormalities affect the body's hormonal balance. This can lead to an imbalance of sex hormones that affect the way the skin looks in the following ways:

· Too many androgens cause thickening of the skin. The sebaceous glands enlarge and acne develops. The hairline can recede in both men and women.

· If there are too few androgens, the skin becomes dull and thin, and facial wrinkles form. The skin may become dry, and there may be no hair on the face, pubic area, and armpits. The skin may also appear pale if there are few capillaries or if the level of pigmentation decreases.

· If women have too little estrogen, the consequences for the skin are similar to the consequences of androgen deficiency, but still not as critical. The skin will look dull, thin, with fine lines and a little pale.

· Too much estrogen causes pigment changes and the development of spider hemangioma.

Stress can also disrupt hormonal balance, disrupt the menstrual cycle and even cause it to stop completely. This can be emotional stress, such as a breakup, exams or moving, or it can be physical, such as a serious illness or extreme physical activity. Often, women who participate in physically demanding sports, such as triathlons or bodybuilding, develop acne due to the effect these activities have on the endocrine system.

Conclusion

As we know, sex hormones have a big impact on the way our skin looks, and any imbalance can have dramatic consequences. Therefore, we must be well aware of the hormones that affect skin condition.

Let's talk about the role of hormones in maintaining the beauty and health of the skin. And about what creams help fight the deficiency of essential substances. For fans of Internet horror stories, we say right away: no hormones, especially human ones, are used in cosmetics. Dot.

What are hormones
How hormones affect the skin at different ages
What you need to know about skin-related hormones
Review of cosmetics that will help the skin with hormonal imbalance

What are hormones

Hormones are biologically active substances that control the functions of the human body. There are more than a hundred of them. They are produced by many organs of the endocrine system - from the hypothalamus in the brain to the ovaries. These encrypted biochemical messages are designed to start or, conversely, stop certain processes.

Hormones enter the blood, which delivers them to the right place - to the target cells. Each hormone has its own cellular receptor. The hormone clings to it, and the cell receives a signal on how to behave further. There is no receptor or it is inactive - and the transmitted signal will not be received, no matter how many hormones are “sent on the task”.

When too many/too few hormones are produced or cells lose sensitivity to them (receptors do not work properly), problems begin. Including the skin.

At the age of 25, the skin of healthy people is characterized by an ideal balance of hormones. © iStock

How hormones affect the skin at different ages

Strictly speaking, the skin depends on hormones at any age in exactly the same way: it reacts to their deficiency or excess.

In youth

During puberty, the hormonal sphere is in complete cacophony. At this time, the skin gets the most from the male hormones androgens, which are widely represented in both sexes. The skin becomes oilier, prone to various types of inflammation and acne.

In young age

25 years is the age to receive a “hormonal passport” (yes, there is such a thing). If a person is healthy, then at this age all hormones are in ideal proportions. Therefore, young skin easily endures any difficulties, including sleepless nights and unhealthy habits.

The only disruption in the female body can occur due to pregnancy, which is accompanied by hormonal changes. But this is a separate article.

In adulthood

The period of maturity - by this we mean the age of about 50, when menopause begins. At this time, the skin suffers from a drop in the level of sex hormones in the body:

estrogens;
testosterone;
DHEA;
progesterone.

With age, the production of all hormones decreases, except for one - cortisol, the stress hormone. With rare exceptions, he is an enemy of youth and health.

Eliminate problems associated with hormonal imbalances using cosmetics impossible. But correcting hormonal imbalances through special therapy will very quickly have the most beneficial effect on the skin.

Now medicine is able to maintain a “young” hormonal balance. As for the beauty industry, manufacturers, understanding the mechanisms of action of hormones on the skin, create cosmetics that:

can imitate the work of certain hormones;
capable of maintaining skin in good condition.

What you need to know about skin-related hormones

Dozens of hormones known today act directly or indirectly on the skin. Let's talk about the nine most influential.

Estrogen

The hormone of femininity and beauty is the main one in terms of sexual attractiveness. If there is enough estrogen in the body, this means for the skin:

hydration as it stimulates the production of hyaluronic acid;
elasticity (the same hormone is responsible for the beauty and strength of hair and nails);
uninterrupted collagen synthesis;
activity of regeneration processes;
maintaining metabolic activity of the skin.

Androgens

Traditionally, they are called male sex hormones. Although the wording “sex steroids” has now already been adopted in relation to both female and male hormones. Testosterone is present in the female body in very significant quantities and is needed not only for career ambitions and sexual temperament. The skin has a very close relationship with testosterone because it:

is responsible for its density;
stimulates collagen production, which means it makes the skin elastic;
increases the rate of cell renewal;
activates sebum production, increasing skin oiliness;

in excess it leads to hair appearing where it shouldn’t be.

The level of androgens in the body increases towards the end of the cycle, so these days they can provoke the appearance of pimples.

Progesterone

It is called the hormone of whims and bad mood, and also the hormone of pregnant women. In a sense, it is an antagonist of sex hormones. Its deficiency leads to skin rashes and hair loss. However, excess progesterone is no better. It calls:

fluid retention and swelling;
hyperpigmentation;
decreased elasticity and firmness of the skin.

D-hormone

Good old vitamin D acts as both a vitamin and a steroid hormone. Its role in the body is difficult to overestimate. It is synthesized, as is known, under the influence of the sun. What does it mean for the skin?

Epidermis renewal.
Healing injuries and wounds.
Synthesis of proteins, including collagen and elastin.

Growth hormone (somatotropin)

It is no coincidence that it is considered one of the most important “hormones of youth”. Somatotropin is also called a lifting hormone, and this speaks for itself.

A sufficient amount of growth hormone in the body means:

normalization of metabolic processes;
regulating collagen synthesis and increasing skin tone;
acceleration of tissue regeneration.

DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone)

In the 90s, he was one of the first to be credited with the reputation of “the hormone of eternal youth.” Which is understandable, because DHEA supports:

synthesis of collagen and elastin;
active regeneration;
the ability to withstand negative influences both from outside and from within.

Interestingly, in the West there was a real boom in cosmetics with DHEA, which showed high anti-aging effectiveness. In Russia, the use of hormones in cosmetics is prohibited. However, careful study of the processes occurring in the skin makes it possible to imitate its effect.

Thyroid hormones

Since they are responsible for energy metabolism, their deficiency leads to the fact that the skin does not receive enough nutrients, and mitochondria (the energy stations of each cell) do not receive the necessary energy. The thyroid gland suffers greatly from unfavorable ecology. Problems with the thyroid gland and a lack of its hormones can be judged by the following signs:

dryness and flaking;
pallor;
lethargy;
swollen oval of the face.

Cortisol (stress hormone)

Cortisol is the “sibling” and at the same time the complete opposite of DHEA. Both of them, as well as the vitamin D hormone that joins them, are synthesized from cholesterol (also known to everyone and not so bad cholesterol). Just the optimal ratio of DHEA and cortisol is the most reliable marker of stress resistance.

We need more DHEA and less cortisol. But the latter is formed against our will as a result of stressful situations. And, of course, its effect on the skin can hardly be called beneficial. It appears as:

increasing sebum production;
reduction of local immunity;
poor circulation;
hair loss;
increased sensitivity;
hyperpigmentation.

Acne and other skin problems are made worse by stress. Calming care is our answer to nervous tension.

Melatonin

This hormone is called the biological clock. It is responsible for our perception of time. Like growth hormone, melatonin is produced primarily in the dark. And he acts as the head of the repair shop - he manages the nightly correction of damage received during the day at the cellular level.

Enhances tissue regeneration.
It is part of the body's antioxidant system.
As a sleep hormone, it provides a complete night's rest, which means a healthy, radiant complexion.

Review of cosmetics that will help the skin with hormonal imbalance

Let us remind you that the use of hormones in cosmetics is prohibited, so do not look for them in formulas, they are not there. However, there are cosmetics that help the skin survive periods of hormonal imbalance with minimal discomfort. The following formulas are responsible for this:

The effect of testosterone on the skin (English)

The effect of testosterone on the skin