The direct and indirect physiological influence of the androgen hormone testosterone on the structure, function, and aesthetic quality of the integumentary system, mediated by its binding to androgen receptors in dermal and epidermal cells. In the skin, this effect is generally anabolic, promoting epidermal thickness, sebum production, and contributing to the overall density of the dermal collagen matrix. The magnitude of this influence is dose-dependent and sex-specific.
Origin
This term is a specific application of endocrinology to dermatology, detailing the role of the primary male sex hormone, testosterone, on the largest organ, the skin. The effects have been clinically recognized in conditions like acne (due to increased sebum) and in the differences in skin thickness between sexes.
Mechanism
Testosterone acts by binding to intracellular androgen receptors in target cells, including sebocytes and fibroblasts, initiating gene transcription that regulates cellular proliferation and protein synthesis. Specifically, it increases the activity of sebaceous glands, leading to higher sebum output, and contributes to the synthesis of dermal collagen. In some tissues, its conversion to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) by the 5-alpha reductase enzyme amplifies its androgenic effects, further influencing hair growth and skin structure.
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