No skin can be treated and corrected without first understanding what is taking place at a cellular level. The health and appearance of our skin, its structure and function, is reliant on diet, lifestyle and hormones
Without an understanding of “What” is taking place and “Why” changes are occurring, we can’t truly address and correct skin challenges.
Our role as therapists has changed significantly over the years. To be exceptional requires us to address our clients with a “Total Body” approach- and as such, we need to recognise, understand, educate and refer clients on a daily basis.
What are hormones?
Hormones are chemical messengers that are secreted from endocrine glands, directly into the blood stream and are then transported via the blood to the target cells, tissues and organs within the body. Hormones affect growth and development whilst others regulate our metabolism as well as influencing our responses to danger and they even help us wake up and fall asleep.
Different hormones have different chemical structures, these include, steroids, amino acid derivatives, peptides and proteins. Hormones are regulated through negative feedback and it is when this feedback system is malfunctioning that problems can occur.
Hormones and the skin
It has been found that hormones affect every organ and system of the body including the skin. Receptor sites are found throughout the body, but of high interest to us are those associated with the skin. Why? Well, it is becoming more and more recognised that intrinsic skin aging is governed by our own body’s biological clock. Dryness, loss of elasticity, wrinkling and uneven skin tone is all part of the natural process of skin aging.
Many factors are involved in intrinsic skin aging: genetic changes, increased inflammatory signals, decreased lipid production, reduction in cellular repair and replacement, and fluctuating hormone levels. The skin is especially vulnerable to fluctuating amounts of circulating hormones, and these can be directly responsible for common skin conditions. Hormonal changes are now being more closely examined to reveal just how important they are to skin health, especially in women.
How do hormones affect the skin? And specifically how do they impact skin aging? In order to assist in the treatment and correction of hormonal skin conditions, it is more important than ever that we develop a deeper understanding of the impact and affect each hormone has on the structure and function of our skin and underlying tissues.
Hormones and the menopause
Menopause is nature’s way of preventing women from procreating into old age, and unfortunately for women it is also when our skin starts to lose it’s elasticity and plumpness, the epidermis thickens or becomes reactive. It is also a time when many women can experience acne for the first time and this can be a very traumatic especially for those ladies who have never had the skin condition before.
Couple that with the hot flushes, night sweats, weight gain and mood swings and the menopause can be a very emotional time for some ladies, especially those who have not had children as they may also be experiencing a sense of grief and loss as they realise that their child bearing days are over. Hormones are complicated and sometimes they don’t always behave the way they should do.
To find out more about hormones your can register for the next Workshop(s) (Details below) where we will be exploring some of the more commonly known hormones and their influences on the body systems and in particular the skin.