12 Feb 2026
Hormones can have a significant impact on the appearance of the skin, regardless of your age. As the body’s largest organ, the skin is one of the main things that people notice when they look at you. So, if it’s not looking it’s best, this can really affect your self-confidence. We all know how awful it feels to have a giant zit on our chin that always seems to spring up right before a big event like your high school reunion. How hormones cause your skin to behave, however, not only differs by decade, but so do the treatment options. An acne patient in her 20’s is going to need a different plan of action than a patient in her 40’s. Both decades are prime time for cystic acne, but your 40 year old skin is going to be dryer, more sensitive and possibly in need of hormonal support. This is why it is such a smart idea to schedule an in-person consultation with a Board-Certified Dermatologist, such as myself, to have your skin’s needs assessed. One of the things that I love most about my job is working with my Boston area patients throughout the decades, helping to keep their skin looking its very best regardless of age.
Understanding Hormones Effect on Your Skin
Hormones play a critical role in the body. In terms of your skin, shifts in estrogen, progesterone and androgens can change how it behaves, affecting:
- Oil Production & Acne
- Sensitivity & Inflammation
- Dryness & Thinning
- Pigmentation & Texture Changes
Certain specific stages in life where hormones are particularly rampant include:
- Puberty
- Pregnancy
- Perimenopause
- Menopause
While age and time in life are critical factors, the right treatment option has to also be suited to your skin’s individual needs.
Treatment Options Depend on Hormonal Stage
As mentioned, your skin’s needs can change. In the teens and 20’s, many patients experience acne due to oily skin. Treatment options may include:
- Hydrafacial®
- Skin Pen®
- AlphaRet® Exfoliating Skin Pads
- Prescription Medication
The unfortunate thing about acne, however, is that it often rears its ugly head again during perimenopause. Even patients who never had a pimple when they were younger may have outbreaks in their 40’s, 50’s and beyond. I will typically coordinate treatment with a patient’s ob-gyn or endocrinologist if I feel that hormone replacement could be helpful and/or that a thyroid imbalance might be a factor. And then there is the reality that older skin is dryer. It cannot tolerate harsher products that might have worked when you were younger. Also, your skin may be showing some early signs of aging, such as fine lines and wrinkles, that we will want to address. Treatment options might include:
- Medical Grade Skincare
- Microneedling with Radiofrequency (RF)
- Laser Skin Resurfacing
My goal is to restore balance and support for your long-term skin health with a treatment plan that suits your anatomy, needs and lifestyle, including budget. To find out more about medical grade skincare, microneedlingRF, lasers, or any other aesthetic treatment with Dr. Melissa Michelon at Boston Center for Plastic Surgery, contact us today or call (617) 450-0070 to schedule a consultation.
