Can HRT Improve the Appearance of Aging Skin?
It’s no secret that as we age, our skin changes. With that said, can you slow aging and improve skin appearance with hormone replacement therapy (HRT)? Read on to learn how HRT might be your secret weapon for younger-looking skin.
How Does The Skin Change With Age?
Our skin is our first layer of protection and is exposed to many stressors like the sun, the weather, and environmental factors. As we grow older, however, the skin changes. We expect the skin to:
- Become rougher in texture
- Lose elasticity
- Become thinner and more transparent
- Become more fragile
- Bruise more easily
The resulting appearance of our skin can include age spots, skin discoloration, and wrinkles. Many of these effects are related to the decline in hormone levels with age. Natural levels of estrogen and progesterone begin to decrease as women reach their forties. Until menopause, the ovaries are the leading producers of estrogen.
After menopause, the adrenal glands take over estrogen production at a much lower level than the ovaries produce. Estrogen and progesterone are essential in skin hydration, thickness, and texture. The decreasing hormone levels contribute to thinner skin that is dryer, less firm, and more wrinkled.
What Are Anti-Aging Hormones?
When discussing HRT for anti-aging, we primarily refer to the hormones estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. However, thyroid hormones and sometimes human growth hormone (HGH) are also considered for anti-aging therapy.
Estrogen
Estrogen is the hormone with the most significant impact on the skin. Decreased estrogen contributes to dry skin and wrinkle formation. It also impacts collagen production and the thickness of the skin. Plus, estrogen helps produce hyaluronic acid, which naturally keeps the skin plump and firm, reducing fine lines and wrinkles.
Progesterone
Progesterone helps keep your skin from becoming too dry and helps regulate oil production. During menopause, decreased progesterone causes less sebum to be produced. The skin may become dryer, more sensitive, and prone to irritation or inflammation. The skin may appear dull and have more age spots.
Testosterone
Changes in the balance between estrogen and testosterone can lead to excessive facial hair growth. You might notice increased hair on the chin, upper lip, and jawline. Testosterone levels that are too low add to skin changes like muscle loss and wrinkling. Thinning of the hair can also be experienced with low testosterone levels.
Thyroid
When thyroid levels become too high or too low. Either one might impact your skin. In hypothyroid, when the levels are too low, the skin can become pale, thin, and wrinkled. Dry skin is also a hallmark of hypothyroidism. Hyperthyroidism or too much thyroid can cause increased blood flow, redness, small broken blood vessels, and increased sweating.
Check out our Thyroid Therapy program to learn more!
What’s the Best HRT for Skin?
As everyone’s skin and health history is different, there’s no true guarantee that hormone therapy will improve your skin’s appearance. With that said, it can give your skin the best chance it has had in a long time. Sometimes skincare treatments can only go so far when there are underlying conditions causing issues in the first place.
At Your Wellness Center, we use bioidentical hormones. Bioidentical hormones are natural and chemically identical to the ones produced in your body rather than synthetic hormones created in a lab. We can supplement estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone with bioidentical hormones. Our HRT is personalized to exactly what your body needs. We customize each patient’s treatment plan to address their specific symptoms and goals.
Your therapy may include a combination of hormones and supplements. Bioidentical hormones can be administered by topical application, injection, or pellet insertion. Many patients find that HRT improves the appearance of their skin and hair while also energizing them and improving their mood and physical function. It’s a total body win!
How Do I Get Started With HRT?
If you are interested in HRT for anti-aging, and anti-wrinkle treatment, or have other concerns related to hormonal imbalance, completing our initial consultation form is the best way to get started. Our providers will review your symptoms and health history before contacting you to schedule a consult.
We’ll create a personalized plan to meet your goals and help you look and feel your best.
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