Gender differences in dermatology are becoming increasingly more apparent. For example, compared to men, women have a much higher incidence of autoimmune diseases, different responses to hormonal stimuli and a different distribution over the body of some skin cancers. It is important that more research be done in this area, using gender as a variable.
Hormones have a significant impact on the skin.
Puberty, pregnancy and menopause all have a unique impact on the skin. As we all know, many adolescents are prone to acne. Some women get melasma or coffee-colored stains on their face during pregnancy that may or may not go away. Menopausal women often have skin atrophy resulting in fragility, fine wrinkling and slower wound healing. Some women have an increased sensitivity to male hormones that causes acne, excessive body hair, and loss of the female distribution of hair on the body.