Relationship of cutaneous moisture,PH and sebum levels with menstrual cycle

Aim: Current knowledge regarding the interplay of the various cutaneous characteristics such as moisture, pH and sebum levels with physiological parameters including age, gender, pregnancy and menopause is limited. Menstrual cyle is a process which has impact on many different organs of a woman?s body. In this study the possible effects of this cycle on skin humidity, acidity and sebum levels is evaluated. It is thus aimed to investigate whether there are any observable cutaneous changes caused by menstrual hormones or not.Method: The relationship of healty skin moisture, pH and seborrhea with the menstrual cycle is evaluated using the MPA-5 device. Fiftyone healty volunteers between ages 21-45, who had regular menstruation and who worked at Adnan Menderes University Hospital were included. A total of 6 measurements in two consecutive menstrual cycles corresponding to the early follicular phase, late follicular phase and midluteal phase were completed for pH, moisture and sebum levels. Sebum was measured on the glabella. Moisture and pH were measured on 5 different points (glabella, bilateral zygomatic areas, chin, tip of nose).Results: No statistical difference between various phases of the menstrual cycle with any one of the 3 parameters measured was observed. No statistically significant association was found between age, body mass index and smoking with the average sebum, moisture and pH values either.Conclusion: Menstrual cycle has no observable effect on skin moisture, pH and sebum levels. It is thus not necessary to make any adjustments with reference to menstruation in timing of a dermatological examination or suggesting skin care products for healty individuals. Further research with longer follow up will yield more detailed information on this topic.Key words: skin, sebum, moisture, pH