Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Submitted
To
Master of Philosophy
Cosmetology
Dr. Atulkumar K. Shah
MPHIL/066/CST/2007D
January 2009
Testosterone
On average, an adult human male body produces about forty to
sixty times more testosterone than an adult female body, but
females are, from a behavioral perspective (rather than from an
anatomical or biological perspective), more sensitive to the
hormone.
Hair Growth
2
In order to establish an accurate determination of how much
testosterone is bioavailable what needs to be measured is the "free
androgen index" or FAI. This is calculated by the total testosterone
level in the blood divided by the SHBG level multiplied by 100.
Pathology labs will automatically do this calculation and the result
will be the FAI reading. Generally a FAI of less than 2 indicates
there is very little bioavailable testosterone and is a likely cause of
symptoms.
During normal aging, the skin becomes thinner, looser and less
elastic and hair growth lessens and the hair shafts become thinner.
In men, this is a fairly gradual effect which accelerates after age
45. In women however, the abrupt hormonal changes at
menopause are more sudden and drastic. The decreases in
estrogen levels can cause a thinning and drying of the skin which
can produce more wrinkles. Hair follicles tend to shrink and the hair
shafts become thinner.
The hair on scalp begins to thin, as does the hair in the pubic area.
Estrogen replacement therapy reduces this hair thinning. Products
such as minoxidil and Folligen also improve hair growth in women.
They often work better restoring hair in women than in men.
The drop in estrogen production makes skin thinner and less elastic
which produces more wrinkling and sagging. Skin is producing less
collagen and elastin, the supportive and elastic proteins in the
skin. As the skin becomes more delicate, it is more susceptible to
damage from the sun. To help reduce wrinkle formation, reflective
sunscreens (not chemical sunscreens) with a sun protection factor
(SPF) of at least 15 should be used to protect your skin when
outdoors.
3
Estrogen helps aging women have a younger looking skin, helps
maintain skin’s collagen, thickness, elasticity and ability to retain
moisture.
• Acne
• change in sex drive or performance
• hair loss
• headache
4
Effects of Low Testosterone Levels in Women
Medication Use
SSRI's, tricyclics Depression
Oral oestrogens Oral contraceptive pill, HRT
Medroxyprogesterone Contraceptive, HRT
Clonidine Hot flushes
Medroxyprogesterone Contraceptive, HRT
Spironolactone, Androcur Hirsutism
Danazol Endometriosis
Benzodiazepines Anxiety, insomnia
Beta blockers Hypertension
H2 antagonists Oesophageal reflux
Ketoconazole Vuvlo-vaginal candidiasis
Gemfibrazol Hyperlipidaemia
5
voice, development of facial hair and acne, fluid retention, and
nausea Abnormally high testosterone levels in women can lead to a
variety of symptoms. Most often, women with high testosterone
levels develop male pattern hair growth (hirsutism), especially on
their faces and chests. More rarely and over time, some women
may experience virilization, which is increased muscle mass,
redistribution of body fat, enlargement of the clitoris, deepening of
the voice, male pattern baldness, acne, and/or increased
perspiration.
6
A good diet can reduce the formation of unsafe estrogen. Indole-3-
carbinol from cruciferous (or more specifically brassica), vegetables
such as cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and cauliflower plants
has special role in doubling blood level of “safe” C-2 estrogen while
cutting in half blood level of unsafe C-16 estrogen.
Estrogens in cosmetics
Some hair shampoos on the market include estrogens and placental
extracts; others contain phytoestrogens. There are case reports of
young children developing breasts after exposure to these
shampoos. These products are often marketed to African-American
consumers.