Our skin is highly influenced by times of hormonal change; think acne during puberty and melasma (pigmentation) during pregnancy for example but the skin will also face changes as our hormones shift due to ageing and for those going through gender reassignment and hormone replacement therapy.
While our skin is a reflection on what’s happening within our bodies, it also plays a role in how we present ourselves to society and therefore can impact self-esteem and self image. We believe that understanding WHY your body and skin are perhaps making some unfavourable changes is the key to self compassion and being able to take charge of your own health.
Testosterone is the hormone responsible for male sex characterists, within the skin it has the ability to increase sebum production and increase hair growth on the face. An increase in and change in the composition of sebum production can feed the bacteria within our skin which in turn can lead to an increase in inflammation breakouts and acne. Hence why hormonal imbalances and conditions with the reproductive organs are so commonly associated with breakouts especially along the jaw line and down the neck or when anabolic steroids are taken, the user will experience the dreaded bacne!
Estrogen on the other hand, will reduce sebum production causing the skin to become drier and increase risk of an impaired barrier especially in individuals already prone to such conditions, this is why we become drier as we get older! Estrogen also impacts pigment production within the skin and melasma can become bothersome.
Understanding what’s going on internally and how that is effecting your external appearance is the single most important factor when you are trying to treat a concern. Without addressing the imbalance and the root cause of it, you’re fighting an up hill battle by treating the skin only topically.
While hormone therapy is one factor that individuals looking to transition may look to undergo, many may also opt for surgery that may result in large scars as the body heals, some often on the chest where they are harder to conceal. At House of Maxx we love scars and appreciate the intricate task the body has undertaken in order to heal and close the wound to protect itself! But we also understand for some people scars can be a reminder of not so fond thoughts and memories so we have a treatment option available to minimise them if wanted and this is sometimes necessary to move forward in life and deal with trauma. The process of scar revision includes topical skin care to strengthen the skin and improve cellular function, reduce redness and pigment then followed by CIT (skin needling) to remodel the collagen providing wonderful results for unwanted scar tissue. The aim is to soften the scar and have healthy, functioning tissue. Depending on the type, depth and size of the scar will determine how successful treatment will be.
The team at House of Maxx endeavour to be as inclusive as possible, we extend a helping hand to any individual seeking help with their skin no matter the concern.
Your skin is as unique as you are and we love you for it!
