Lighter skin tone??

[ganjina]

Hello all,

I've been reading and hearing rumors about HRT affecting the melanine in your skin and this along with thinning of the making it a lighter shade? Sounds to me like it might be one of those weird rumors you want to be wary about and I thought I'd ask what have been your experiences?

[LordKAT]

I'm going the other way and haven't gotten any darker. This is actually the first I've heard that one.

[Nero]

I've never heard of this. There is some evidence that women tend to have a lighter skin tone relative to men of their ethnic group (though I have no idea how that could be determined today; maybe in remote villages or something). A sort of evolutionary measure for women to get more vitamin D or something. But I don't know whether it's hormone related or present from birth.

Has anyone gotten any darker or lighter?

[Cindy]

I've gone darker, possibly due to sunbathing in a bikini. Yep due to HRT. Goes to show! Facts are facts

[allisonsteph]

Ive never heard that one before. I hope it's not true... if I get any lighter than I am now, I'll burst into flames like a vampire when I go outside. 

[Jenna Marie]

The thinner skin could make it *look* lighter - I haven't gotten any paler (and good thing too, as I'm practically ghost white as it is!), but my skin tone definitely shaded noticeably towards more pink, because the blood vessels underneath are showing through a bit more.

[peky]

Yes, estrogen would make your skin lighter and thinner, as well as more elastic. That is why females are usually less dark than the males.

Obstet Gynecol Surv. 2009 Jan;64(1):58-72. doi: 10.1097/OGX.0b013e3181932a37.

Physiological changes associated with the menstrual cycle: a review.

Farage MA, Neill S, MacLean AB.



Author information



Abstract

The cyclic hormonal changes that regulate the menstrual cycle are a significant biological influence on the female body, one with both physical and emotional ramifications. Menstruation is governed by tightly orchestrated changes in the levels of ovarian estrogen and progesterone, which produce varying responses in diverse tissues and organs. The skin, the largest organ in the body, is replete with estrogen receptors (in both dermis and epidermis) and to a lesser extent, progesterone receptors. Cyclically fluctuating levels of estrogen and progesterone influence numerous characteristics of the epidermis, including skin surface lipid secretion and sebum production, skin thickness, fat deposition, skin hydration, and barrier function. Dermal collagen content, which contributes to skin elasticity and resistance to wrinkling, is also influenced. Interestingly, estrogen levels also influence skin pigmentation and UV susceptibility, as well as resident microflora. In addition, changing hormone levels across the menstrual cycle produce measurable variations in immune function and disease susceptibility. An understanding of the profound influence that fluctuating estrogen and progesterone levels have on the biological responses of the premenopausal adult woman is critical to optimizing the efficacy of medical therapies in this population.

[Hikari]

I already had vampire skin though so I never noticed lol
Thanks Peky for posting the explanation

[Missadventure]

I had been wondering this was well... Looking at a lot of girls timelines on the internet, and they all wind up having a lighter skin tone at some point in the process. I personally can't wait. 

[Elijah3291]

I'm going the other way and haven't gotten any darker. This is actually the first I've heard that one.

ditto

[amZo]

I can't believe anyone gets darker, I'm a freaking ghost these days. My friends worry I'm sick! 


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<<<<<<<<<<<<<  There, put my actual avatar back up to show you, I only have eyeliner on, the rest is ghost.
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[Ms Grace]

I'm freckling up in the sun - especially on my arms and legs - a lot easier than I ever used to. Not quite sure what that means!

[LordKAT]

I'm freckling up in the sun - especially on my arms and legs - a lot easier than I ever used to. Not quite sure what that means!

does it mean I can play connect the dots?

[Natalia]

My skin was always darker than my mothers (who is very light skinned, with blue eyes and redhair), but  my skin tone is starting to match hers in some places where I never tan (like my upper arms).

I still get tanned easily, but now I am also getting sunburns! This made me need to use a sunblocker everyday, once here on Brazil we are having a terrible hot summer (35 celsius degrees everyday)

So, yes...I've noticed my skin whitening a bit and burning with more ease than before.

[Ms Grace]

does it mean I can play connect the dots?

Yes, and it will draw you a picture of... ME! 

[Lady_Oracle]

I'd have to say I have a become a tad bit more pale than I was before hrt. I can't wait for the spring weather to come so I can start tanning.

[LordKAT]

Yes, and it will draw you a picture of... ME! 

sounds fun, can I use a feather?

[Ms Grace]

sounds fun, can I use a feather?

Please do! 

[KayXo]

The reduction in androgen and increase in estrogen will result in a skin that is overall thinner and more translucent ("lighter", see through effect) due to loss in dermal (deeper layer of skin) thickness. But, estrogen as opposed to androgen, make the epidermis, the upper layer of the skin, thicker.

Also from
Volume 64, Number 1
OBSTETRICAL AND GYNECOLOGICAL SURVEY
Copyright © 2009
by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Physiological Changes Associated with the Menstrual Cycle
A Review

"The effects of estrogen on pigmentation were first implied by observed changes in pigmentation characteristic of pregnancy: patches of increased pigmentation on the face known as chloasma, as well as darkening of the skin of the areolae, the perineum, and the skin over the linea alba, which fade shortly after delivery (29). Application of estrogen-containing ointment to children results in hyperpigmentation, when applied to the genital area as well as the nipples and linea alba (33). Hyperpigmentation is also observed in some patients with use of oral contraceptives (20)"

"The increase in pigmentation was reported to be most noticeable under the eye (29)."

This is why you may notice freckles where before there was none and dark patches in some areas of the body, especially after exposure to the sun.

[Ashey]

I've gotten a bit lighter. I know it's related to the overall skin change though (softer, thinner, etc).