Effect of Estrogens on Skin Aging and the Potential Role of SERMs

Overview

Journal Clin Interv Aging

Publisher Dove Medical Press

Specialty Geriatrics

Date 2007 Nov 30

PMID 18044179

Citations 41

Authors

Susan Stevenson

Julie Thornton

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

In humans, structural and functional changes attributable to aging are more visibly evident in the skin than in any other organ. Estrogens have significant effects on skin physiology and modulate epidermal keratinocytes, dermal fibroblasts and melanocytes, in addition to skin appendages including the hair follicle and the sebaceous gland. Importantly, skin aging can be significantly delayed by the administration of estrogen. This paper reviews the effects of estrogens on skin and the mechanisms by which estrogens can alleviate the changes due to aging that occur in human skin. The relevance of estrogen replacement therapy (HRT) in postmenopausal women and the potential value of selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) as a therapy for diminishing skin aging are also highlighted.

Citing Articles

Intracrine Formation of Steroid Hormones in Breast Cancer, Epidermal Keratinocyte, Dermal Fibroblast, and Adipocyte Cell Lines Measured by LC-MS/MS.

Karakus E, Schmid A, Schaffler A, Wudy S, Geyer J Int J Mol Sci. 2025; 26(3).

PMID: 39940958 PMC: 11818555. DOI: 10.3390/ijms26031188.

Human Skin Fibroblasts as an In Vitro Model Illustrating Changes in Collagen Levels and Skin Cell Migration Under the Influence of Selected Plant Hormones.

Jablonska-Trypuc A, Pankiewicz W, Wolejko E, Sokolowska G, Estevez J, Sogorb M Bioengineering (Basel). 2025; 11(12.

PMID: 39768006 PMC: 11726836. DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering11121188.

Phytoestrogens as Natural Anti-Aging Solutions for Enhanced Collagen Synthesis in Skin.

Amini N, Osterlund C, Curpen J, Lafon-Kolb V, Richard T, Visdal-Johnsen L J Cosmet Dermatol. 2024; 24(2):e16719.

PMID: 39654355 PMC: 11845927. DOI: 10.1111/jocd.16719.

A New Generation of Postbiotics for Skin and Scalp: In Situ Production of Lipid Metabolites by .

Pagac M, Gempeler M, Campiche R Microorganisms. 2024; 12(8).

PMID: 39203553 PMC: 11357556. DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12081711.

The Characteristics and Inheriting Pattern of Skin Aging in Chinese Women: An Intergenerational Study of Mothers and Daughters.

Zhang Z, Shi M, Li J, Chen D, Ren J, Li Z Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2024; 17:1773-1782.

PMID: 39132029 PMC: 11315646. DOI: 10.2147/CCID.S468477.

References

Labrie F . Adrenal androgens and intracrinology. Semin Reprod Med. 2005; 22(4):299-309. DOI: 10.1055/s-2004-861547. View

Castelo-Branco C, Figueras F, Martinez de Osaba M, Vanrell J . Facial wrinkling in postmenopausal women. Effects of smoking status and hormone replacement therapy. Maturitas. 1998; 29(1):75-86. DOI: 10.1016/s0378-5122(97)00087-x. View

Kanda N, Watanabe S . 17beta-estradiol stimulates the growth of human keratinocytes by inducing cyclin D2 expression. J Invest Dermatol. 2004; 123(2):319-28. DOI: 10.1111/j.0022-202X.2004.12645.x. View

Tsukahara K, Nakagawa H, Moriwaki S, Kakuo S, Ohuchi A, Takema Y . Ovariectomy is sufficient to accelerate spontaneous skin ageing and to stimulate ultraviolet irradiation-induced photoageing of murine skin. Br J Dermatol. 2004; 151(5):984-94. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2133.2004.06203.x. View

Webb P, Nguyen P, Kushner P . Differential SERM effects on corepressor binding dictate ERalpha activity in vivo. J Biol Chem. 2002; 278(9):6912-20. DOI: 10.1074/jbc.M208501200. View

Hu D, Hughes M, CHERRY G . Topical tamoxifen--a potential therapeutic regime in treating excessive dermal scarring?. Br J Plast Surg. 1998; 51(6):462-9. DOI: 10.1054/bjps.1997.0100. View

Beas F, Vargas L, Spada R, MERCHAK N . Pseudoprecocious puberty in infants caused by a dermal ointment containing estrogens. J Pediatr. 1969; 75(1):127-30. DOI: 10.1016/s0022-3476(69)80113-7. View

Haapasaari K, Raudaskoski T, Kallioinen M, Kauppila A, Laara E, Risteli J . Systemic therapy with estrogen or estrogen with progestin has no effect on skin collagen in postmenopausal women. Maturitas. 1997; 27(2):153-62. DOI: 10.1016/s0378-5122(97)01128-6. View

Ohnemus U, Uenalan M, Inzunza J, Gustafsson J, Paus R . The hair follicle as an estrogen target and source. Endocr Rev. 2006; 27(6):677-706. DOI: 10.1210/er.2006-0020. View

10.

Weinstock M . Epidemiologic investigation of nonmelanoma skin cancer mortality: the Rhode Island Follow-Back Study. J Invest Dermatol. 1994; 102(6):6S-9S. DOI: 10.1111/1523-1747.ep12385735. View

11.

Elgort M, Zou A, Marschke K, Allegretto E . Estrogen and estrogen receptor antagonists stimulate transcription from the human retinoic acid receptor-alpha 1 promoter via a novel sequence. Mol Endocrinol. 1996; 10(5):477-87. DOI: 10.1210/mend.10.5.8732679. View

12.

Benten W, Stephan C, Lieberherr M, Wunderlich F . Estradiol signaling via sequestrable surface receptors. Endocrinology. 2001; 142(4):1669-77. DOI: 10.1210/endo.142.4.8094. View

13.

Payne A, Hales D . Overview of steroidogenic enzymes in the pathway from cholesterol to active steroid hormones. Endocr Rev. 2004; 25(6):947-70. DOI: 10.1210/er.2003-0030. View

14.

Hall G, Phillips T . Skin and hormone therapy. Clin Obstet Gynecol. 2004; 47(2):437-49. DOI: 10.1097/00003081-200406000-00020. View

15.

Hosokawa M, Ishii M, Inoue K, Yao C, Takeda T . Estrogen induces different responses in dermal and lung fibroblasts: special reference to collagen. Connect Tissue Res. 1981; 9(2):115-20. DOI: 10.3109/03008208109160249. View

16.

Sumino H, Ichikawa S, Abe M, Endo Y, Nakajima Y, Minegishi T . Effects of aging and postmenopausal hypoestrogenism on skin elasticity and bone mineral density in Japanese women. Endocr J. 2004; 51(2):159-64. DOI: 10.1507/endocrj.51.159. View

17.

Wade T, Wade S, Jones H . Skin changes and diseases associated with pregnancy. Obstet Gynecol. 1978; 52(2):233-42. View

18.

Stampfer M, Colditz G, Willett W, Manson J, Rosner B, Speizer F . Postmenopausal estrogen therapy and cardiovascular disease. Ten-year follow-up from the nurses' health study. N Engl J Med. 1991; 325(11):756-62. DOI: 10.1056/NEJM199109123251102. View

19.

Ayoub J, Valero V, Hortobagyi G . Tamoxifen-induced female androgenetic alopecia in a patient with breast cancer. Ann Intern Med. 1997; 126(9):745-6. DOI: 10.7326/0003-4819-126-9-199705010-00033. View

20.

Stumpf W, Sar M, Joshi S . Estrogen target cells in the skin. Experientia. 1974; 30(2):196-8. DOI: 10.1007/BF01927732. View