Hormones & Skin

HORMONES, ENDOCRINE AGEING & SKIN BEHAVIOUR

(How hormonal signals reshape collagen, inflammation, texture, firmness and pigment)

THE SKIN IS A HORMONE-RESPONSIVE ORGAN

Hormones influence every system in the body — but nowhere are their effects more visible than in the skin.

Hormonal changes control:

collagen production
elasticity
oil activity
pigmentation
inflammation
hydration
wound healing
sensitivity
redness
barrier strength
cell turnover
circulation
fat distribution
immune behaviour

This page teaches clients something almost nobody explains clearly:

Skin ageing is not just chronological — it is hormonal.

Your skin reflects your:

stress levels
sleep patterns
menstrual cycle
perimenopause stage
menopause transition
testosterone balance
DHT activity
thyroid function
insulin stability
cortisol levels
oestrogen deficiency
HRT (hormone replacement therapy)
gender-affirming hormone therapy

Hormonal balance = youthful, stable, predictable skin.

Hormonal imbalance = reactive, sensitive, ageing skin.

WHY THIS PAGE IS CRITICAL TO UNDERSTANDING AGEING

Clients often say:

“My skin suddenly changed overnight.”
“I look older this year than ever before.”
“Everything irritates my skin now.”
“My pigment has become darker.”
“My face feels dryer and thinner.”
“My breakouts came back at 40.”
“I feel inflamed all the time.”
“My under-eyes have collapsed.”
“My jawline dropped suddenly.”

These are not random events.

They are predictable hormonal patterns.

This page gives clients and the web creator the scientific foundation for:

menopausal protocols
perimenopausal sensitivity
testosterone-related skin changes
cortisol-induced ageing
thyroid-driven texture issues
insulin and sugar-related inflammation
androgen (DHT) changes
oestrogen-driven collagen loss
fibroblast fatigue
pigmentation changes

THE SCIENCE OF HORMONAL AGEING — WHY SKIN RESPONDS SO DRAMATICALLY

Hormones act like messengers that:

turn genes on and off
increase or reduce collagen
raise or lower inflammation
increase or reduce oil
affect water retention
regulate fibroblasts
influence circulation
affect pigment pathways
modify immune responses

When these messages change — the skin changes.

Hormonal ageing is not subtle.

It is powerful, visible, structural and behavioural.

WHAT THIS PAGE COVERS

By the end of Page 5, clients will understand:

oestrogen’s influence on collagen
progesterone’s role in sensitivity
testosterone and oil activity
DHT and jawline breakouts
thyroid hormones and skin texture
cortisol and inflammatory ageing
insulin and inflammatory pigmentation
menopausal collagen decline
perimenopausal inflammation
andropause (male hormone decline)
transgender hormonal effects
ethnic differences in hormonal response
how Aeternitas technology balances hormone-driven ageing

WHY THIS PAGE MATTERS FOR TREATMENT OUTCOMES

Hormonal ageing shapes:

tolerance to energy-based devices
inflammation after RF
pigment response
healing speed
collagen rebuilding
elastin repair
sensitivity to HIFU
redness after LED
swelling after Cryo
vascular behaviour
risk of PIH
long-term outcomes

Understanding hormones = better results, fewer complications.

THE BIOLOGY OF HORMONES & SKIN AGEING

(How each hormone influences collagen, elasticity, inflammation, pigment, oil, and skin behaviour)

THE SKIN IS A HORMONE-DEPENDENT ORGAN

Hormones control nearly every visible change in the skin:

firmness
thickness
elasticity
inflammation
redness
oil activity
hydration
pigment
healing
sensitivity
texture
collagen and elastin production

When hormones shift, skin behaviour shifts immediately.

Page 5B explains each major hormone and its effect on the skin.

OESTROGEN — THE COLLAGEN-PROTECTOR

Oestrogen is the hormone most responsible for youthful skin.

It increases:

collagen production
elastin density
fibroblast activity
ECM hydration
hyaluronic acid
vascular health
wound healing
barrier strength
antioxidant protection

Oestrogen declines begin as early as age 32–35, accelerating from 40–55.

The consequences are dramatic:

30% collagen lost in the first 5 years of menopause
increased laxity
thinning dermis
crepey texture
slower healing
increased redness
deeper lines
under-eye collapse
neck ageing
mouth-area ageing

This is one of the biggest drivers of female structural ageing.

PROGESTERONE — THE SENSITIVITY HORMONE

Progesterone influences:

water retention
barrier function
oil activity
inflammation

Low progesterone (common from mid-30s onward):

increases sensitivity
increases inflammation
increases redness
weakens the barrier
increases dryness
increases irritation
worsens rosacea-type reactions

In perimenopause, progesterone fluctuations cause skin to feel “all over the place.”

TESTOSTERONE — THE STRUCTURAL & OIL HORMONE

Testosterone increases:

dermal thickness
collagen density
structural strength
jawline definition
muscle support under the skin
oil activity (sebum)

In women:

Low testosterone →

thinning skin
low glow
decreased firmness
reduced oil (dryness)
accelerated ageing

In men:

Testosterone decline (andropause) →

heavy sagging
deeper folds
sudden jawline loss

In transgender clients:

MTF (oestrogen therapy) →

testosterone falls
skin becomes more feminine, thinner, sensitive

FTM (testosterone therapy) →

oil increases
acne and inflammation may increase
increased collagen density over time

DHT (DIHYDROTESTOSTERONE) — THE JAWLINE BREAKOUT HORMONE

DHT is a derivative of testosterone and drives:

jawline acne
cystic breakouts
inflammation
scarring
oil overproduction

High DHT is common in:

men
women with hormonal imbalance
PCOS
FTM testosterone therapy
stress-driven androgen surges

It also causes:

deeper pores
thicker texture
stronger sebaceous glands
more stubborn inflammation

CORTISOL — THE STRESS HORMONE THAT ACCELERATES AGEING

Cortisol is one of the most destructive hormones for the skin.

It causes:

collagen breakdown
inflammation
redness
sensitivity
dehydration
slower healing
barrier disruption
pigmentation
increased vasodilation
worsening rosacea patterns
tired, flat skin

Long-term cortisol elevation

inflammageing + structural ageing + faster visible ageing

THYROID HORMONES — THE SKIN’S METABOLIC REGULATORS

Thyroid hormones (T3/T4) control:

cell turnover
hydration
microcirculation
barrier function
oil balance

Low thyroid (underactive):

dry skin
coarse texture
slow healing
puffiness
increased inflammation
dullness
poor circulation

High thyroid (overactive):

flushing
thinning skin
redness
sensitivity
accelerated ageing

INSULIN — THE SUGAR-INFLAMMATION HORMONE

High insulin levels:

increase inflammation
increase breakouts
drive pigmentation
contribute to PIH
worsen redness
accelerate collagen glycation (stiff, dull collagen fibers)

Glycation is a major cause of:

yellow undertones
reduced firmness
quicker ageing

This is seen across all genders and ethnicities.

GROWTH HORMONE (GH) — THE REPAIR & REGENERATION HORMONE

GH supports:

collagen synthesis
wound healing
cell turnover
structural rebuilding

GH declines from age 25 onward — reducing healing speed and collagen density.

PROLACTIN — A HIDDEN PIGMENT + INFLAMMATION HORMONE

High prolactin (stress, breastfeeding, medications) can cause:

pigmentation
uneven tone
inflammation
dullness
jawline breakouts

It is under-recognised but significant.

PERIMENOPAUSE — THE CHAOTIC HORMONE PHASE

Perimenopause causes:

fluctuating oestrogen
declining progesterone
increasing inflammation
increased sensitivity
unexpected breakouts
redness
inconsistent collagen production
accelerated structural ageing

Clients often describe:

“I don’t recognise my skin anymore.”

Fully rooted in hormonal fluctuation.

MENOPAUSE — THE COLLAGEN CRASH

At menopause:

oestrogen drops sharply
collagen drops rapidly
elastin declines
fat pads shift
ligaments weaken
SMAS loosens
dermis thins
sensitivity rises
pigment increases

This is the second-biggest change in female ageing after puberty.

ANDROPAUSE — MALE HORMONAL AGEING

Gradual testosterone decline causes:

structural heaviness
jawline sagging
deeper folds
thickened lower face ageing
oil reduction
dry surface texture

Men age later — but faster when decline begins.

TRANSGENDER HORMONE THERAPY — UNIQUE HORMONAL AGEING PATTERNS

MTF (male-to-female):

increased sensitivity
reduced thickness
reduced oil
increased pigment risk
more feminine ageing patterns
under-eye ageing increases
better barrier function

FTM (female-to-male):

increased oil
increased inflammation
higher acne risk
stronger collagen network
slower wrinkle development

Aeternitas must tailor settings accordingly.

HORMONAL CYCLES, ETHNICITY PATTERNS & PREDICTABLE SKIN BEHAVIOUR

(Why hormonal ageing affects every client differently — and what patterns always repeat)

HORMONAL CYCLES SHAPE SKIN BEHAVIOUR MORE THAN AGE

Unlike chronological ageing, hormonal ageing is:

cyclical
fluctuating
variable
episodic
predictable
biologically forceful

This is why clients often say:

“My skin changes every month.”

“My skin looks different every morning.”

“My skin looks amazing some days and awful the next.”

“I aged in just one year — what happened?”

“I react to things I never reacted to before.”

Hormonal cycles explain it.

FEMALE HORMONAL CYCLES & THEIR EFFECTS ON THE SKIN

Female skin changes every 28 days, with four biologically distinct phases:

Menstrual Phase (Days 1–5)

Hormones: low oestrogen + low progesterone

Skin effects:

dullness
dryness
sensitivity
slower healing
increased redness
low resilience
mild swelling
reduced glow

Best supportive treatments:

LED
Cryo
gentle RF (if skin is stable)

Follicular Phase (Days 6–13)

Hormones: rising oestrogen

Skin effects:

improved firmness
stronger barrier
hydration improves
glow increases
best repair window

Best treatments:

RF Microneedling
Secret RF
HIFU
LED

This is the most collagen-responsive part of the cycle.

Ovulation Phase (Days 14–16)

Hormones: peak oestrogen + LH surge

Skin effects:

highest luminosity
tightest pores
best healing
reduced inflammation
increased collagen potential

Best treatments:

HIFU (excellent results window)
RF Microneedling
LED

Luteal Phase (Days 17–28)

Hormones: rising progesterone, fluctuating oestrogen

Skin effects:

increased oil
inflammation increases
redness
breakouts
pigment risk increases
slower healing
PMS-related flushing

Best treatments:

LED
Cryo
Vascular 980+ (if redness patterns worsen)

During this phase, avoid aggressive RF or HIFU if the client is inflamed or sensitive.

MALE HORMONAL STABILITY — AND HIDDEN AGEING TRIGGERS

Men do not have a monthly cycle.

However, they do experience:

testosterone fluctuations (daily + weekly)
stress-related cortisol spikes
sleep-related skin changes
slow, steady reduction in collagen
later but more dramatic sagging
deeper folds due to heavier fat pads

Men typically require higher energy and deeper penetration in collagen-focused devices, but they are also:

more vascular
more redness-prone post-procedure
more prone to “heavy-set” ageing in the lower face

RF + HIFU are particularly effective in men.

TRANSGENDER CLIENT HORMONAL PATTERNS

MTF (Male-to-Female)

Oestrogen therapy shifts:

skin becomes thinner
barrier strengthens
pigment may increase
inflammation increases temporarily
oil reduces
under-eye area becomes fragile
dermis resembles female biology
structural ageing pattern becomes feminine

Skin behaviour becomes more sensitive and needs:

LED
Secret RF
controlled RF energy
tailored HIFU

FTM (Female-to-Male)

Testosterone therapy shifts:

oil increases
acne may worsen
jawline inflammation increases
collagen density increases
barrier becomes stronger
thicker dermal structure develops

Skin becomes more resilient but also more:

breakout-prone
inflamed
scar-prone

RF Microneedling + Vascular + LED are essential.

ETHNICITY & HORMONAL INTERACTION — HOW DIFFERENT SKINS REACT

Different ethnic groups have different hormonal-skin responses because:

melanin concentration
collagen fibre thickness
ECM hydration
oil activity
genetic inflammatory pathways
vascular reactivity
fibroblast density
barrier behaviour

…all vary by skin type.

Fitzpatrick I–III (lighter skin types)

Hormonal effects include:

more visible redness
more flushing
more vascular sensitivity
thinner dermis
less melanin protection
higher progesterone sensitivity

Hormonal phases cause dramatic visible changes.

Fitzpatrick IV–VI (medium–deep skin)

Hormonal effects include:

deeper inflammation
less visible flushing
higher pigment response
stronger fibroblast signalling
slower resolving brown marks
increased PIH risk

Hormone-triggered pigmentation is common:

pregnancy
menopause
stress
insulin fluctuations

RF + LED must be used with pigment-safe protocols.

THE THREE UNIVERSAL HORMONAL AGEING PATTERNS

Across all genders and ethnicities, ageing follows three predictable hormonal pathways:

The Oestrogen Decline Pattern

Seen in:

women 35–65
MTF on long-term oestrogen

Results in:

collagen loss
laxity
under-eye thinning
crepey skin
deeper wrinkles
rapid neck ageing

The Cortisol-Inflammation Pattern

Seen in:

all genders
high-stress clients
sleep-deprived clients
burnout
perimenopause
chronic illness

Results in:

redness
sensitivity
accelerated ageing
slow healing
pigment worsening
tired appearance

Aeternitas technologies focus heavily on correcting Pattern 3.

HORMONES DICTATE HOW THE SKIN RESPONDS TO TREATMENT

This is one of the most important truths:

Different hormonal profiles = different treatment responses.

Oestrogen decline → needs structural rebuilding

Best:

HIFU
RF Microneedling
LED

Androgen dominance → needs inflammation & oil regulation

Best:

RF Microneedling
980+ Vascular
LED
Cryo

Cortisol elevation → needs immune stabilisation

Best:

LED
Cryo
gentle RF
vascular support

Thyroid imbalance → needs circulation + barrier support

Best:

LED
Cryo
lymphatic support

THE TECHNOLOGY THAT COUNTERS HORMONE-DRIVEN AGEING

(How Aeternitas systems stabilise, repair, rebuild and rebalance hormonally disrupted skin)

Hormonal ageing is powerful — but so is targeted, energy-based skin engineering.

Each Aeternitas technology treats a different hormonal ageing pathway.

EXFU 11D HIFU — THE ARCHITECTURAL CORRECTOR FOR HORMONAL COLLAGEN LOSS

Oestrogen decline causes:

SMAS loosening
ligament weakening
collagen collapse
under-eye thinning
cheek deflation
jawline softening
neck sagging

HIFU directly counteracts these pathways by:

tightening SMAS
contracting fibrous septa
stimulating fibroblasts
repairing ECM organisation
increasing heat shock proteins (HSP70, HSP90)
increasing collagen types I and III
reversing ligament elongation
restoring mechanical tension lines

Particularly powerful for:

menopausal collagen loss
perimenopausal rapid ageing
male andropause sagging
MTF hormonally induced thinning

HIFU is the primary treatment for hormonal structural ageing.

EXFU 980+ RF MICRONEEDLING — THE COLLAGEN & INFLAMMATION MODULATOR

Hormonal changes cause:

inflammation
oil imbalance
sensitivity
acne clusters
texture changes
pore enlargement
dermal collapse

RF Microneedling directly targets these issues by:

controlled dermal injury
fibroblast activation
stimulating VEGF (new micro-circulation)
reducing oil gland activity
improving acne scarring
rebuilding dermal thickness
reducing inflammatory cytokines
repairing glycation-stiffened collagen
strengthening barrier and ECM

Essential for:

androgen-dominant breakouts
PCOS-related inflammation
FTM testosterone-related oil increase
perimenopausal sensitivity
hormonally driven textural ageing

This is the most versatile tool for hormonal inflammatory + structural imbalance.

SECRET RF — THE PRECISION SYSTEM FOR THIN, FRAGILE OR HORMONALLY SENSITIVE REGIONS

Hormonal changes often present first in delicate areas:

under-eye thinning
crepey eyelid skin
menopausal under-eye collapse
thinning around the mouth
fine lines from oestrogen decline
contour collapse

Secret RF is designed to:

rebuild thin dermis
stimulate collagen gently
increase density without overheating
remodel fine lines
repair fragile ECM
improve capillary resilience
reduce pigment risk

Crucial for:

menopausal periorbital ageing
MTF under-eye thinning
early fine lines from progesterone decline

• delicate skin around lips and neck

DERMALUX LED — THE HORMONAL-IMMUNE STABILISER

LED is the safest and most hormone-compatible technology because it:

reduces cortisol-driven inflammation
increases ATP
improves lymphatic drainage
strengthens barrier function
stabilises redness
improves wound healing
reduces oil (blue wavelength option if needed)
calms progesterone-related sensitivity
improves circulation
reduces perimenopausal flushing

Best for:

stress-related ageing
cortisol surges
insulin-driven inflammation
rosacea-type reactivity
post-menopausal redness
perimenopausal sensitivity
FTM acne flares during testosterone peaks

LED is the first-line treatment for hormonal inflammatory dysregulation.

CRYO COLD HAMMER — THE CIRCULATION & SENSITIVITY RESET

Hormonal changes often cause:

redness
flushing
swelling
reactive sensitivity
vascular instability
hormonal puffiness (progesterone and cortisol)

Cryo counters this by:

vasoconstriction → immediate redness reduction
vasodilation → improved oxygenation
enhanced lymphatic drainage
reduced inflammation
reduced hormonal fluid retention
tightened surface vessels
calming overstimulated nerves

Especially useful for:

perimenopausal flushing
progesterone swelling
male vascular sensitivity
MTF redness increase
FTM inflammation after breakouts

EXFU 980+ VASCULAR & PIGMENT CORRECTION — THE HORMONAL PIGMENT & REDNESS SOLUTION

Hormone shifts often create:

melasma
uneven tone
stress-related pigmentation
menopausal brown patches
androgen-driven redness
progesterone sensitivity
post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH)

980+ corrects hormonal pigment issues by:

closing abnormal microvessels
reducing superficial redness
improving oxygenation
reducing inflammatory mediators
improving lymphatic movement
reducing pigment recurrence
supporting collagen regeneration post-treatment

Essential for:

melasma-prone clients
PCOS pigment patterns
pregnancy/post-pregnancy pigment
perimenopausal brown areas
FTM androgen-driven redness
MTF estrogen-related flushing

AETERNITAS HORMONAL AGEING TREATMENT PROTOCOL STRUCTURE

The Aeternitas model ensures:

Stabilise inflammation (LED + Cryo)
Restore architecture (HIFU)
Rebuild dermis (RF Microneedling + Secret RF)
Correct pigment/redness (980+)
Maintain results with LED

Hormone-driven ageing requires sequential engineering, not random treatments.

CLIENT LEARNING — “Understanding How Hormones Shape Your Skin’s Behaviour”

(Prestige Mentor Tone • Deeply Reassuring • Emotionally Intelligent • Scientifically Accurate)

THE MOMENT YOUR SKIN FEELS DIFFERENT — IT ISN’T RANDOM. IT IS HORMONAL.

Clients often feel confused when their skin suddenly:

becomes reactive
loses firmness
feels thin
becomes red or flushed
breaks out
dulls overnight
becomes dry or textured
loses glow
snaps back more slowly
becomes uneven in colour
starts to feel “unfamiliar”

The first instinct is often:

“What am I doing wrong?”

“Why does this keep happening?”

“Is my skincare failing?”

“Why do I suddenly look older?”

“Why does nothing work anymore?”

The truth is far simpler and far kinder:

Your hormones have shifted — and your skin is responding.

This is not failure.

This is biology.

And it can be managed, stabilised and improved.

AGEING DOES NOT HAPPEN EVENLY — IT FOLLOWS HORMONAL PATTERNS

Your skin is a hormone-responsive organ.

Every hormonal fluctuation — big or small — sends a biochemical signal to the skin:

make more collagen
make less collagen
increase oil
reduce oil
increase sensitivity
calm inflammation
thicken the dermis
thin the dermis
create redness
reduce redness
store water
release water

When hormones change, skin changes.

Not slowly.

Not subtly.

Sometimes overnight.

This is why you might look in the mirror one morning and feel:

“Something just dropped.”

“I aged out of nowhere.”

“My skin is suddenly dull.”

These are hormonal turning points — not signs of damage or decline.

HOW HORMONES SILENTLY SHAPE YOUR SKIN THROUGHOUT YOUR LIFE

Hormonal ageing is predictable, and it follows distinct phases depending on gender, age and hormonal environment.

Clients often experience:

In their 20s

breakouts
oil changes
inflammation
early stress cortisol spikes

In their 30s

subtle collagen loss
texture changes
slower healing
pigmentation from stress and lifestyle
early fatigue in the under-eye area

In their 40s

rapid shifts (perimenopause or testosterone decline begins)
sudden thinning
increased redness
inflammation
sensitivity
architectural changes begin

In their 50s and beyond

accelerated collagen drop
laxity
deeper folds
volume redistribution
dryness
slower healing
more visible inflammation

These changes are hormonal — not personal.

YOU ARE NOT “AGEING BADLY” — YOUR HORMONES ARE REARRANGING THEMSELVES

When hormones fluctuate, your skin temporarily loses its rhythm.

The following behaviours become common:

inconsistent oil activity
unpredictable sensitivity
sudden breakouts
changes in tone
changes in firmness
slower healing
increased redness
“puffiness days”
visible tiredness
crepey patches
hollowing
sudden drooping

These are temporary hormonal signals — not permanent damage.

The skin can be stabilised, supported and rebuilt.

And this is where Aeternitas becomes powerful.

THE REASON YOUR SKIN BEHAVES DIFFERENTLY FROM OTHERS

Hormonal ageing differs by:

gender
ethnicity
hormone levels
stress
sleep
menstrual cycles
medication
HRT
lifestyle
thyroid function
insulin regulation
testosterone patterns
cortisol spikes

This is why two people of the same age can look dramatically different.

Skin does not age by age.

Skin ages by hormone.

THE REAL REASON YOUR SKIN RESPONDS SO WELL TO ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY

Hormones influence collagen, but technology reactivates it.

Hormones influence oil, but technology regulates it.

Hormones influence inflammation, but technology calms it.

Hormones influence structure, but technology rebuilds it.

Aeternitas technologies work because they directly counteract hormonal ageing mechanisms:

HIFU reverses architectural weakening
RF Microneedling rebuilds dermal thickness
Secret RF corrects fragile zones affected by oestrogen loss
LED calms hormone-driven inflammation
Cryo reduces redness and swelling
980+ Vascular corrects hormonal redness and pigment

Hormonal ageing is powerful —

but targeted skin engineering is more powerful.

YOUR SKIN IS NOT FAILING YOU — IT IS ASKING FOR SUPPORT

Many clients feel discouraged when their skin changes:

“I look older than I feel.”

“My texture changed.”

“My face feels different.”

“I don’t look like myself right now.”

“I feel like I aged so quickly.”

This is hormonal biology — not personal failure.

The most empowering truth is this:

Hormonal ageing is reversible in appearance.

Stabilised in behaviour.

And manageable with the right plan.

With Aeternitas, you are rebuilding:

collagen
elasticity
firmness
structure
tone
clarity
glow
resilience

You are not stopping age —

you are rebalancing the biology that shapes how you age.