A review of the role of estrogen in dermal aging and facial attractiveness in women

Abstract

Estrogens are known to have protective and favorable influences on skin health; conversely, androgens oppose the actions of estrogens. Estrogen's chemical messages are transmitted via the classical nuclear hormone estrogen receptors (ER) alpha and beta and the rapid-acting G-coupled membrane estrogen receptor. Androgens [both testosterone and 5α-dihydrotestosterone (5α-DHT)] bind the same androgen receptor. Estrogen levels peak in the mid- to late 20s in women and then decline by 50% by 50 years of age and dramatically decrease further after menopause. The loss of estrogens with aging contributes to diminished dermal health, whereas estrogen hormone therapy [eg, oral conjugated equine estrogens (CEE)] restores skin health. Several reports suggest positive correlations between the levels of circulating estrogens and: (1) perceived age, (2) attractiveness, (3) enhanced skin health, and (4) facial coloration in women. Based upon a psychological dermato-endocrine perspective, the positive correspondence of high estrogens levels with perceived age and facial attractiveness in women especially with aging demonstrates the importance of hormonal influences on observed dermal health and youthful appearance.

Equol’s Anti-Aging Effects Protect against Environmental Assaults by Increasing Skin Antioxidant Defense and ECM Proteins While Decreasing Oxidative Stress and Inflammation

“…Separate sections covering equol's enhanced: (a) delivery mechanism into human skin; (b) antioxidant effects via Nrf2 activation; (c) effects on extracellular matrix proteins like collagen and elastin; and (d) protection against oxidative stress and inflammation were presented. In fact, equol has been compared to other botanical actives, like resveratrol, and it appears to be an exceptional choice for potential incorporation into human skin applications, especially for women, due to its multiple positive actions to improve dermal health [2,78,108].…”

Human scalp hair: Modulation by various factors and hormones do estrogens inhibit or stimulate—A perplexing perspective

“…The inhibitory actions of androgens on hair follicle cycling are undisputed, where 5α‐dihydrotestosterone (5α‐DHT) is more potent than the principal circulating androgen, testosterone, due to its greater affinity (2.5‐5 times) and stability for androgen receptors (Figure ). This example demonstrates the importance of how testosterone is converted by the steroidogenic enzymes, 5α‐reductase (type I‐III) along with their functional characteristics in hair follicles and ultimately the transmission of these chemical signals via androgen receptors . In this regard, it is crucial to keep in mind the features of each steroidogenic enzyme since testosterone also may be converted to estradiol via the aromatase enzyme .…”

“…This “inhibition” of 5α‐DHT synthesis may be misleading since it is known, in general, that the 5α‐reductase enzyme has a higher affinity for progesterone as a substrate compared to testosterone, thus possibly reflecting more conversion to 5α‐progesterone compared to 5α‐DHT among the progesterone levels tested . The alternative explanation of increased testosterone conversion to estradiol, thereby diminishing the amount of testosterone available for the conversion to 5α‐DHT, was unlikely since the abundance of expression and the rates of conversion are much higher for the 5α‐reductase compared to the aromatase enzyme, in general, for many tissue sites of the body . Particularly when increasing concentrations of 17β‐estradiol (from 1 nmol/L to 1 μmol/L displayed a constant 60% inhibition of 5α‐DHT formation, which suggested there was little impact on testosterone metabolism.…”

“…Dexamethasone stimulates aromatase mRNA levels and enzyme activity . 17β‐estradiol has almost equal and high affinity for estrogen receptors α and β . StAR transports cholesterol from the outer mitochondrial membrane to the inner membrane for steroidogenesis .…”

“…The inhibitory actions of androgens on hair follicle cycling are undisputed, where 5α-dihydrotestosterone (5α-DHT) is more potent than the principal circulating androgen, testosterone, due to its greater affinity (2.5-5 times) and stability for androgen receptors [10][11][12] ( Figure 1). This example demonstrates the importance of how testosterone is converted by the steroidogenic enzymes, 5α-reductase F I G U R E 1 The steroidogenesis pathways and hormonal receptor signaling influences on human hair growth.…”