Diet, stress, sleep loss and sun damage are several obvious factors that influence how skin looks and feels over time. Far less obvious - and often overlooked - is the hormonal connection that is so vital to youthful skin.
Popular cosmetic cover-ups and expensive anti-aging creams that work on the surface don't get to the root of persistent skin issues and may even contribute to the problem.
Our skin is teeming with hormone receptor sites and is a major location for hormone synthesis. Facial skin in particular has a very high concentration of estrogen receptors so the effects of declining hormones typically make their first appearance on the face. Many people who experience premature aging, unexplained skin rashes, breakouts and excess facial or body hair are also likely to have an undetected hormone imbalance.
The hormones that most affect skin vitality include the estrogens (estradiol, estriol), progesterone, testosterone, DHEA-S, cortisol, thyroid and vitamin D. ZRT can test for all of these in saliva and dried blood spot.
Test results can pinpoint hormone deficiencies or excesses that may contribute to skin problems. Previously undiagnosed conditions such as thyroid imbalance or PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) that also impact the skin may be triggered by hormone imbalance. Testing can help to determine if hormone replacement therapy levels are too high or too low - causing imbalance and subsequent skin issues.
Anti-aging skincare is a growing multi-billion dollar industry. The popularity of these products raises concern for unintended over-exposure to chemicals and hormones contained within these creams in undisclosed amounts. Disturbance is often caused when chemicals considered "endocrine disruptors" mimic or block the action of hormones like estrogen, disrupting the body's natural balance, leading to development of further skin troubles, allergies, cancers and other issues.
Simple testing can reveal whether hormones are secretly sabotaging your skincare efforts.
Want to learn more about the hormonal connection to healthy skin?
