You look in the mirror. Sometimes you see that expression line you would swear wasn't there yesterday, or that acne breakout that appears just before an important event, even though you left adolescence behind years ago. We have been taught to blame stress, the sun, or that extra square of chocolate. And although everything influences it, the true answer to why your skin behaves the way it does is written in a much deeper code.
Why does my skin age like this?
This happens because genetics and facial ageing go hand in hand. Your predisposition to generate collagen, your capacity to fight against free radicals, or the efficacy of your tissue regeneration processes are hereditary traits.
The truth about expression lines
Many people wonder if wrinkles are genetic. The short answer is: to a large extent, yes. It is not that you inherit your father's exact wrinkle on his forehead, but that you inherit the structure of your dermis. Some genes determine the ease with which your skin undergoes glycation (a process that stiffens collagen and causes sagging). If your genes say that your natural protection against collagen degradation is low, wrinkles will appear sooner, regardless of how much moisturiser you use.
Acne: It is not always the diet's fault
We often torture ourselves thinking we don't wash our face well enough, but science tells us that acne is genetic in a high percentage of cases. There are genetic variants that influence sebum production and your skin's inflammatory response to bacteria. Knowing if your DNA predisposes you to skin inflammation can change your strategy: less aggressive exfoliation and more soothing products or treatments directed from the inside.
Epigenetics: You have control of the switch
There is a big difference between the age your ID says (chronological) and your organism's real capacity for epigenetic ageing. This is where epigenetic ageing comes into play. While your DNA does not change, the chemical marks that attach to it and tell it to "switch on" or "switch off" can indeed be modified by your lifestyle.
The relationship between epigenetics and ageing is the key to preventive anti-ageing medicine. Factors such as sun exposure, tobacco, pollution, or stress can accelerate this biological clock.
What does science tell us today?
By studying the relationship between epigenetics and ageing, we discover that we can "brake" certain processes. We cannot change the genes we inherit, but we can influence how they are expressed. If in your tellmeGen DNA test you discover that you have a high risk of photoageing, you can act on epigenetic ageing (yes, that footprint the environment leaves on your genes) by maximising photoprotection. You are using information to modify the result.
Understanding the connection between epigenetics and ageing empowers you: you go from being a victim of your heritage to being the manager of your health.
Cosmetogenomics: The future of personal care
Cosmetogenomics allows us to personalise our routine based on scientific evidence. A genetic test allows you to know:
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If your skin has problems retaining hydration.
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Your antioxidant defence capacity.
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Your risk of developing spots or varicose veins.
At tellmeGen we believe that information is the first step for self-care. Knowing if wrinkles are genetic in your particular case or if you should worry more about sagging helps you take care of your health.
