Effect of estrogen on the skin's ability to heal

[Hypatia]

I asked my dermatologist why injuries to my skin take so long to heal, and why they leave behind hyperpigmented marks that can take as long as a year to fade. She said it's the result of estrogen. The information on the package insert that came with my estrogen said not to use it if you're going to have surgery. It didn't say anything specific about how estrogen affects the body's ability to heal, but that contraindication about surgery seemed to imply that. What is the truth about healing that estrogen users need to know?

[almost,angie]

I dunno But one little nick and I`m healing for weeks. Vit. E seems to be working well for the scaring.

[sarahb]

I've noticed this too! I've always healed really fast, but now it takes forever to heal and I always have marks as well for months before they go away.

[Sarah Dreams]

Might it be the lack of testosterone? I have amost no T (I'm hypogonad) and since it happened, I take a long time to heal.

[Sarah Louise]

Diabetes will do that also, it takes months for many of my scratches to heal.


Sarah L.

[Hypatia]

So it seems to be a well-known effect, but as far as I can tell not talked about much. I had read plenty on what to expect from estrogen, but never came across this in the literature. I never knew about it until I asked my dermatologist why I had this problem; I hadn't connected it with estrogen until she told me that. So how does estrogen cause this effect? Why should it be so?

[sarahb]

My best guess would be that since the estrogen softens the skin that maybe the skin is more prone to injury and less capable of healing quickly. That's just a guess though, I really have no idea

[deviousxen]

I've had the same healing spots on my leg from shaving stupidly for like... 2 months at least.

[Jolene4ever]

Estrogen not only softens the skin it will also make the skin thinner. You have to remember that you're getting rid of that nasty "T." Males do things faster than a woman, hence they make mistakes and get scratches; we on the other hand do not get scratches, we get scars. Smoking and too much alcohol will also effect the skin's ability to heal. Jolene

[cindybc]

Hi I get bruises mostly on the back of my hands, usually from reaching in a drawer or even reaching in a cardboard carton for a can of pop and just rub the back of my hand a little to hard and I get bruised. I have kept track of the length of time for the healing and the last time it took about three weeks to heal.

I went to see a Dr some years back and he had told me it was common for my age. I was 57 years old then.  I will not dispute the point about age with the Doc, but I would not be surprised of the possibilety that it could also be attributed to estrogen. From what I have read about estrogen here in Susan's Wiki, the skin does get softer, which of would of course mean it would also be thinner and more sensitive. 

But thus far it hasn't slowed down my ability to heal by very much. I had a fairly deep cut on my arm last summer and it was completely healed up in 6 weeks.  I suppose I should thank the heavens that I am fairly physically fit and healthy for an aging lady. I keep myself physically fit by eating properly and exercise, I don't spare myself with the exercise either. What makes it easier, I can push myself with exercise to acomplish the fitness I seek as a woman. I am not looking to do so to build male type muscles anyway.

Cindy

[Jordan]

Estrogen not only softens the skin it will also make the skin thinner. You have to remember that you're getting rid of that nasty "T." Males do things faster than a woman, hence they make mistakes and get scratches; we on the other hand do not get scratches, we get scars. Smoking and too much alcohol will also effect the skin's ability to heal. Jolene

I dont see testosterone as nasty, just not for me....

[Sarah Dreams]

I dont see testosterone as nasty, just not for me....

Me either. Without it there would be no boys to drool over.

[Aiden]

As a biofemale I can say that the skin is more sensitive and can bruise easier.  Some women it can be more so.  Possibly genetically inclined to it least as been in my case.  I inherited my mother's sensitive skin and tendency to bruise easily.