[Intrinsic skin aging. A critical appraisal of the role of hormones].

Intrinsic skin aging is determined primarily by genetic factors and hormonal status. It reflects the same degenerative process seen in other organs. Skin function is one of the parameters most influenced by aging. The hormonal influences include reduced pituitary, adrenal and gonadal secretion. The hormonal changes of aging lead to the development of a specific body and skin phenotype. Individuals in developed lands spend up to a third of their life (women-post-menopausal) or perhaps 20 years (men-partial androgen deficiency of the aging man, PADAM) with oestrogen or androgen deficiency. Other hormones whose levels decrease with aging include melatonin, growth hormone (GH), dehydroepiandrosterone und insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I). Since the skin not only fulfils a protective function for the organism but is also an active peripheral endocrine organ, which even releases effective hormones in the circulation, local hormone substitution could become interesting in the future.