What effects do hormones have on Hair, Skin and Nails?

What are hormones? 

First you have to understand the endocrine system to truly understand what hormones are and how they effect us from head to toe. So I will start with the endocrine system, which is a network of gland and organs that produce and release hormones through our bodies. It is one of our body's main communication systems, which controls and coordinates proper body functions. Hormones are the chemical messengers of the endocrine system. The hormones play the role of the chemical messengers to the endocrine systems. Hormones help maintain and control energy levels, reproduction, growth, development, metabolism, sexual function and internal balance known as Homeostasis. Nerves send electrical messages and hormones sends chemical messages to the body's cells, tissues and organs.

Hormones are produced and released by eight predominant endocrine glands:

• Pituitary gland
• Pineal
• Thymus
• Thyroid
• Parathyroid
• Adrenal
• Pancreas
• Gonads

These glands are not localized to one another but are found throughout the body. many factors can affect the endocrine glands and the body's hormone balance. If the body reaches  a state of imbalance, a variety of health problems can arise. Problems make their presence known internally in the blood, heart, internal organs and the outside, in hair, skin and nails.

The Endocrine System

The Pituitary gland located in the brain is considered the most complex organ of the system. It affects many functions:

• Our growth
• Blood pressure
• Contractions during child birth 
• sex Organ functions
• Thyroid gland function
• Conversion of food into energy
• Metabolism
• Control growth hormone
• Development of bone and muscle
• Produces Prolactin (breast milk)

The Pineal gland is also located in the brain. This gland is responsible for:

• Production of melatonin
• A hormone that affects reproductive development and daily physiological cycles
• Plays a significant role in reproduction, sexual behavior and skin color

The Thymus is in the upper chest. It is responsible for:

• Assists in the bodies production of certain types of while blood cells Known as T Cells, that is a major component of the immune system
• *****By adolescence this gland is already beginning to shrink

The Thyroid is located in the neck. This gland is responsible for:

• Metabolism
• Creating Proteins
• The gland produces and releases hormones by is dependent upon the presence of Iodine (e.g. thyroxine and triiodothyronine)

***An imbalance of the above hormones indicate a low level of iodine. Low levels of iodine can increase the potential for developing an enlarged thyroid gland. (goiter)

 The parathyroid glands which are attached to the thyroid are responsible for secreting parathyroid hormones. They are responsible for regulating the blood calcium levels, which are important to ensure that the nervous and muscular systems operate properly.

The Adrenal gland are located on the kidneys. These glands are necessary for the production of:

• Steroids or sex hormones (Androgen) Such as testosterone and estrogen
• Epinephrine and norepinephrine, which causes the "fight or flight response.

The Pancreas is located in the back portion of our stomach. The importance of the Pancreas is:

• It secrets enzyme-producing cells that digests carbohydrates, proteins and fats
• Cells in the Pancreas controls the production of glucagon and insulin. Glucagon is released when sugar levels in the blood have become low. The insulin is released when the levels of sugar are to high in the blood.

The Gonads are the sexual organs of men and women. (testes and ovaries) These are primarily reproductive organs and they determine the sexual characteristics in men and women.

In Men:

• Growth and development of male reproductive structure
• Increased skeletal and muscular growth
• Enlargement of the larynx
• Growth and distribution of body hair
• Increased male sex drive

In Women

• production of estrogen and progesterone
• Development of breast
• Distribution of fat evidenced in hips, legs and breast
• Maturation of female reproduction organs

***Estrogen and progesterone plays a dominant role in female health and balance of these hormones is vital.

The effects of hormones throughout your life.

Hormone levels naturally vary throughout your life and major developmental events such as puberty, pregnancy. menopause and old age will affect your hormone balance. The fluctuating in hormone levels can have ab impact on the skin , the hair and the nails. This can be a physical and emotional challenge.

How Hormones can adversely effect our skin, hair and nails

Acne

Acne can occur at any age but is most prevalent during adolescence. The onset  of acne is usually attributed to the hormone Androgen s  which  promote oil production in the sebaceous glands of the skin .Other hormones that come into play with acne is steroids, testosterone and estrogen.  Acne can also be triggered by menstruation, pregnancy, oral contraceptives, stress Diabetes and PCOS. 

Claude Thomas's Skin Treatment in our spa can address acne. The treatment that are very effective are:

• Glycolic peels
• Microdermabrasion
• LED Light therapy
• Meta Therapy for the scarring of acne 

Oral Contraceptives ( birth control pill)

The positives are the obvious as to controlling pregnancies but can also help some with balancing out hormones to help with acne.
The negative of contraceptives is it can change the hormone balance and could have a negative effect on the hair and skin. Such as hair loss, skin break outs, skin dryness, hair loss of luster and body. Fungal infections on the skin and nails could also occur. If you experience this effect one should consult their physician.

It is recommended for loss of hair by the AHLA (American Hair Loss Association) for those women experiencing hair loss to only use  Low-androgen index birth control.

 Claude Thomas has the above treatments for the skin in the paragraph of acne, with the addition of Collagen facials and moisturizing facials to add to correct skin dryness. As for the hair loss  we do hair extension, crown hair extensions, many other options for hair loss and for hair that is dull , dry and not body, we have  keratin treatments and deep hair conditioning therapies.

Pregnancy

 

 

Pregnancy can greatly affect the skin, hair and nails. The body's hormonal balance is altered to suit the needs of the growing baby. The changes in hair skin and nails can range from mild to dramatic. The  effects can  be acne, Hyper-pigmentation (Melasma), stretch marks, varicose veins, hair loss, excessive hair growth, Many of these effects will dissipate or completely go away during the pregnancy or after.

Claude Thomas does have solutions with the hyper pigmentation with LED therapy,  glycolic peels and microdermabrasion. Stretch marks are best addresses early on rather than later and we can help this with Meta therapy and microdermabrasion. With hair loss this should be only addressed several months after delivery as it may return to your normal hair, however if after 3 or months you are not getting regrowth see our hair loss expert The owner Claudia Tapp to consult on possible solutions. It could be as simple as creating a different style, to adding some extensions or crown hair extensions. As for varicose veins consult your physician, such a dermatologist or plastic surgeon.

Hormones and Normal Aging

Our Skin

 



 

 

 

Hormonal balance is affected as we age and this effect can be seen in many ways. When we age  many of our body functions slow down, including hormone production and secretion. Estrogen and testosterone both decrease as  we age. which leads into many skin, hair and nails issues. 

Skin issues that occur when we mature are:

• dry skin
• sagging skin
• age spots
• wrinkles

 

Estrogen has an effect on collagen production and skin thickness, so as this hormone decreases with age and menopause we develop  dry loose skin. The skin becomes thinner and looses fat.  Less blood is supplied to the skin making the skin have a dull appearance. With the changes in circulation and skin thickness one can develop spider veins and broken blood capillaries.  Topical estrogen treatment have been found helpful for some people but does come with a possible risk..Some things that can help are: Tretinoin, Vitamin C, Alpha hydroxy acids, laser resurfacing.

 

Claude Thomas has skin rejuvenation treatment to combat aging skin:

• Meta therapy
• Glycolic Peels
• Microdermabrasion
• LED light therapy
• Micro-Current Treatment
• Vascutouch
• Rejenica

 

 Our Hair

 

 

As we age our hair tends to lose it's luster,  turn grey, thin in certain spots or all over in general. Of coarse there are exceptions to the rules but most will experience at least one.

 There are a variety of reason hair  thins and fall out:

• malnutrition
• hormonal unbalance
• menopause
• stress
• serious illness
• simply the aging process .

 

 Grey is the most noticeable signs of aging. Hair usually will start to grey in the 30's to 40's.  This will vary from person to person. What makes the hair turn white is the lose of melanin in the hair follicle.. The onset of  white hair is related to genetics and occurs earlier for Caucasians and later for Asians or African descents.

 

What Claude Thomas can do to help solve these problems.

• Hair greying: Hair Glazes, Hair coloring. Dimensional hair coloring to  blend the greys away.
• Hair dullness: Hair color or glazes, keratin treatments, deep conditioning treatment,     Cellophane
• Hair Loss: Hair extensions, hair loss solutions, Crown hair extensions

Our Nails

 

 

With age our nails may become dry, brittle and/or discolored, which is caused by the decrease in our hormones as we age. Toenails tends to become harder and thicker. Ingrown toe nail can also happen as we mature. Check with your Nair technician if what you are experiencing is normal aging regarding your nail. If there is any doubt consult your physician.