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Effect of Hormone Replacement Therapy for Menopause on the Mechanical Properties of Skin
Author(s) -
Piérard Gérald E.,
Letawe Caroline,
Dowlati Afshin,
PiérardFranchimont Claudine
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
journal of the american geriatrics society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.992
H-Index - 232
eISSN - 1532-5415
pISSN - 0002-8614
DOI - 10.1111/j.1532-5415.1995.tb07202.x
Subject(s) - medicine , menopause , hormone replacement therapy (female to male) , skin aging , forearm , extensibility , surgery , dermatology , computer science , testosterone (patch) , operating system
OBJECTIVE : To evaluate the effect of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for menopause on the mechanical properties of the skin in healthy women. DESIGN : A group of 114 women, including 43 nonmenopausal controls, 46 menopausal women with HRT and 25 menopausal women without HRT, participated in the study. Mechanical properties of the skin were measured on the volar forearm using a computerized suction device. SETTING : University medical center. Research laboratory in bioengineering and biometrology. RESULTS : Computerized measurements of skin deformability and viscoelasticity revealed differences between the three groups of women. A steep increase in skin extensibility was evidenced during the perimenopause in untreated women. HRT appeared to limit the age‐related increase in cutaneous extensibility, thereby exerting a preventive effect on skin slackness. No effect of HRT was found on other parameters of skin viscoelasticity. CONCLUSION : HRT has a beneficial effect on some mechanical properties of skin and thus may slow the progress of intrinsic cutaneous aging.