Youthful skin has abundance of collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid. In the aging skin these three components are decreased in amount. About 30 percent of skin collagen is lost in the first 5 years after menopause with an average loss of 2 percent per year during a period of 20 years. Approximately at the same rate calcium is lost from the bones causing a decrease in facial bone mass. The loss of subcutaneous tissue and facial bone structure also contributes to skin wrinkling. Women who stop using estrogen therapy can tell the difference in quality of the skin and an experienced physician can look at the person and can tell if the women is or is not an estrogen therapy.
WHI (Women’s Health Initiative) study in which the estrogen/p arm was prematurely halted because analysis of the data showed an increase incidence of heart attack, stroke, DVT, pulmonary embolism and breast cancer compared to placebo. This study did show benefits of estrogen on bone (prevention of calcium loss) and decrease in colon cancer. This study has changed the guidelines of management of menopause.
What is the Role of Estrogen on Skin?
Skin is the largest organ of the body. Just like other organs, lack of estrogen has great impact on skin.
Estrogen increases skin thickness, collagen, capillary blood flow, glycoaminoglycans and water content in post menopausal women treated with estrogen compared to those who are not treated. One study found that women on estrogen therapy had skin collagen content 48 percent higher than women not on estrogen.
What Can be Done to Prevent Skin Aging?
Retinoids
Retinoic acid a naturally occurring derivative of vitamin A is known to improve wrinkled skin. Recent evidence suggests that retinoids also play a role in the prevention of aging. Consistent use of topical retinoids is likely to be beneficial in preventing as well as treating photo damage.
Antioxidants
Free radicals in the skin can cause the production of collagenase and the breakdown of collagen. The use of antioxidants can prevent photoaging and breakdown of collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid. Antioxidants can be taken orally or applied topically to prevent skin aging. Prevention of skin aging is a concern of many patients. All of the preventive recommendations focus on preserving collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid. Numerous studies have supported the use of estrogen, vitamin C, vitamin E, Q10 (coenzyme), lutein, lycopene, genistein and green tea.
Antioxidants, retinoids, sunscreens, avoidance of sun exposure, smoking and balanced nutrition should also be used in all patients to prevent aging.
« To Health and Nutrition Page
|
