A new study published in Endocrine Reviews suggests that hormones could be used to treat and prevent signs of aging, such as wrinkles and hair graying. While only a few hormones, like topical retinoids and estrogen, have been used clinically for anti-aging, this research explores additional hormones with potential benefits. The study highlights key hormones that influence skin aging by affecting connective tissue degradation, stem cell survival, and pigment loss, including insulin-like growth factor 1, growth hormone, estrogens, retinoids, and melatonin.
Moreover, researchers examined the roles of other hormones like α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone and oxytocin, which show promise in protecting against UV-induced damage and supporting pigment synthesis. Overall, these findings suggest that further research into these hormones could lead to new treatments for preventing and reversing skin aging.