The intrinsic skin aging is that part of the aging process that is determined solely by internal (physiological) factors, such as our genes. As you get older, the skin becomes rougher and less elastic. This causes wrinkles and looseness, especially in thin skin, such as under the eyes. For some people, these effects will be more apparent than for others.
Intrinsic skin aging and your genetic profile
For example, your genetic profile may show an increased risk of intrinsic skin aging. This could mean that you prefer to opt for skin care products that help to delay and counteract these effects and opt for extra good protection against UV radiation. Everyone eventually develops signs of skin aging.
We look at the following genes:
- rs1393350 : TYR – Associated with Melanation and General Aging
- rs2071307 : ELN – Associated with crow’s feet
- rs17779352 : AHR – Associated with crow’s feet
- rs4646421 : CYP1A1 – Associated the flaccidity of the skin of the cheeks
- rs1041983 : NAT2 – Plays a role in detoxification
- rs11979919 : COL1A2 – Associated with drooping eyelids
Crow’s feet
Crow’s feet are often the first visible signs of (intrinsic) aging. In some people this can already become visible in their mid-20s. For others, however, the first crow’s feet don’t come until their late 30s or early 40s. How quickly crow’s feet develop depends on how often we do certain repetitive movements, such as laughing and squinting. How we sleep also plays a role, as the friction of the face against a pillowcase will stretch the facial skin and this too can contribute to the formation of wrinkles. Since these movements are unavoidable, efficient prevention and care of crow’s feet is indispensable. In addition to these external factors, our genes also play a role. For example, the age and severity of crow’s feet development depend on our genes.
Crow’s feet and your genetic profile
For example, your genetic profile shows that you have an increased risk of developing crow’s feet. This means that crow’s feet (can) become visible relatively early and that they may be above average prominent. Taking good care of the eye area can help prevent or minimize crow’s feet. In addition to good skin care products, it may be wise to develop skin-friendly habits, such as wearing sunglasses on sunny days and using soft pillowcases to reduce friction with your face.
We look at the following genes:
- rs2071307 : ELN – Associated with crow’s feet
- rs17779352 : AHR – Associated with crow’s feet
Saggy cheeks
Looseness (laxity), or loss of firmness, of the cheeks is one of the most noticeable signs of facial aging. It occurs due to the change in the production rate and the breakdown of proteins such as collagen and elastin and a decrease in their effectiveness. In addition, the loss of fat in the cheeks, which occurs with age, gives our cheeks a less firm appearance. In addition to the face, skin sagging can also occur in other parts of the body, such as the abdomen, buttocks, thighs or arms. Not everyone suffers from sagging skin to the same extent and it is not necessary for the formation of wrinkles. The presence of sagging skin can deepen wrinkles and cause new ones. The most common remedies for skin looseness are professional ultrasound treatments known as Ultherapy or radiofrequency, as well as surgical treatments such as facelifts, fat grafts and the use of fillers. However, it is also possible to delay laxity or improve skin firmness by choosing the right skin care products.
Saggy cheeks and your genetic profile
For example, your genetic profile shows that you don’t have an increased predisposition for drooping cheeks. This means that the degree of drooping of the cheeks is relatively less and will not reveal itself at a very young age. This will probably not be an important aspect when choosing a skin care product.
We look at the following gene:
- rs4646421 : CYP1A1 – Associated the flaccidity of the skin of the cheeks
Nasolabial fold
Nasolabial folds, more commonly known as smile lines, are the lines that run from the nose to the corners of the mouth. These are naturally present on everyone’s face, but their depth and visibility varies from person to person. In some people the folds become deep and visible in their thirties, in others this happens later in life. The depth of the folds depends on the aging process of the skin in general. For example, due to the increased looseness of the cheeks, the nasolabial fold deepens. Therefore, as with sagging cheeks, medical therapies are often used to reduce the folds. Skin care products can also help, especially in preventing deep creases, but may also help reduce creases after they develop.
Nasolabial folds and your genetic profile
For example, your genetic profile shows that you have an increased predisposition for the development of deep nasolabial folds. This means that the folds can develop at a younger age and deepen quickly. It may therefore be desirable to use skin care products that promote skin regeneration, in order to prevent or limit the deepening of the folds.
We look at the following gene:
- rs1041983 : NAT2 – Plays a role in detoxification
Drooping eyelids
When one develops drooping eyelids, it is generally aesthetic. With extremely drooping eyelids, the effect may not only be cosmetic, it can also be so severe that vision is limited. The drooping of the eyelids is a natural part of aging, due to the reduction of the fatty tissue under the skin, and the reduced efficiency of collagen and elastin, the latter occurring as a result of both chronological aging and UV radiation. sensitivity. As with drooping cheeks, surgical procedures are often used as a remedy for drooping eyelids, but proper skin care also plays an important role.
Saggy eyelids and your genetic profile
For example, your genetic profile shows that you have a normal predisposition for drooping eyelids. This means it can be valuable to pay attention to delay or minimize the appearance of drooping eyelids. Whether you already have sagging skin around your eyes or not, it is good to prevent sagging and protect the skin around your eyes by using sunscreen and wearing hats and sunglasses in the sun to avoid the negative effects of prevent photoaging.
We look at the following genes:
- rs11979919 : COL1A2 – Associated with drooping eyelids
Other points of interest for the skin
Retinol
Retinol, or vitamin A1, plays an important role in growth processes and vision, but also has a rejuvenating and anti-inflammatory effect in the skin.
The functions of retinol for the skin:
- It stimulates the production of collagen
- It improves the elasticity of the skin
- It firms the skinIt reduces pigmentation
- It reduces impurities
- It prevents and improves UV damage
Vitamin A and its relatives are also known as retinoids. In order to affect the skin, retinoids must be converted to the biologically active form of vitamin A (vitamin A acid). This process is automatic when retinoids are applied to the skin, because the skin cells contain special receptors for this.
Collagen
Collagen is a body’s own substance. It is a protein, which is part of the connective tissue. It occurs frequently in the bones, blood vessels, but also in your skin. The dermis consists of 30% collagen. After your twentieth year of life, the amount and production of collagen decreases. The connective tissue becomes less stable. Over time, the skin collapses and wrinkles appear. However, collagen has no function in skin care products, as the collagen molecule is too large to be absorbed by the skin.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is a vitamin that the body does not make itself. It will therefore have to be supplied to the body through food or cream. This vitamin plays an indispensable role in protecting your body against harmful external influences. There are different types of vitamin E. For skin care, it is mainly tocopherol and tocopherol acetate that can be found in creams. Vitamin E is generally used in a concentration of 1 to 5% percent.
Vitamin E acts as an antioxidant; it can neutralize the harmful influence of free radicals. Free radicals cause accelerated aging of our skin, among other things. In this way, vitamin E can offer protection, for example against UV damage. Research has also shown that the degree of redness, swelling and cell damage in the skin is reduced when vitamin E is applied to the skin before sun exposure.
Peptides
Peptides are protein fragments and are made up of amino acids. There are thousands of peptides and each unique peptide is formed by a specific combination of amino acids. Peptides in skin care products can stimulate and facilitate the production of collagen in the skin. They stimulate the skin to produce collagen and form the building blocks of this new collagen themselves.
Coenzyme Q10
Q10 is an antioxidant. This means that it is a substance that protects our body against free radicals. These are harmful substances that can damage cell membranes and our DNA, among other things. Free radicals can cause cells to die; this leads to aging. As an antioxidant, Q10 can render these free radicals harmless.
As an antioxidant, Coenzyme Q10 can also prevent skin aging. Research has been done on the effect of Q10 in skin care products, and although positive effects have been found, there is no conclusive evidence about the effectiveness of coenzyme Q10.
Scrub or exfoliate
The top layer of the skin is old and dead skin cells. For fresh-looking skin and to stimulate the production of new skin cells, it can be good to exfoliate the skin every now and then. When exfoliating, for example, this is done by means of a skin cleansing product that contains small granules that loosen the cells, making them easier to remove from the skin. Since this treatment removes the top layer of skin cells and the skin needs time to form new cells, it is important not to perform this treatment too often. Exfoliating also removes dead skin cells, but does so through mild acids. This treatment method has less chance of damaging healthy cells than with scrubbing. This method should also not be performed too often.
Hydrate
Hydrating (moisturizing) the skin is important to have a healthy and young-looking skin. Skin care products can have different effects here, such as that the skin barrier becomes and remains strong so that moisture does not escape from the skin. Skin care can also supplement the amount of moisture-binding substances in the skin and/or create a layer over the skin so that moisture will not escape as well. For example, a moisturizing ingredient that can be found in many skin care products is hyaluronic acid.
Buy your skin report now
In our DNA reporting focused on the skin (Dermagenomics) a> you get information about the following parts:
- Acne: Information based on your genetic profile about your predisposition to acne.
- UV sensitivity: Information based on your genetic profile about skin aging, pigmentation spots, wrinkle formation, drooping cheeks and advice.