Is Longevity the Next Frontier for Beauty?

Beauty is breaking the age barrier. Not content with looking good, or looking better with age, several companies are moving beyond wrinkles and age spots in search of ways of prolonging life itself. The movement toward longevity got its start in telomeres more than a decade ago. Telomeres are protective endings found on every chromosome. With age, telomeres begin to shorten, exposing chromosomes to damage. More than a few researchers have called telomere shortening the “Holy Grail” of biology. But telomeres are only part of the story. After all, reducing telomere shortening will only delay the aging process, it won't reverse it. Consumers and cosmetics companies want more.

In July, Parfums Christian Dior, a unit of LVMH, announced a partnership with Vadim N. Gladyshev, a professor of medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, based in Boston. Gladyshev's laboratory has already sequenced and characterized the genomes, transciptomes and metabolomes of several exceptionally long-lived mammals, deciphering the molecular mechanisms involved and providing new insights into the prevention of age-related pathologies. Gladyshev has also identified signatures of longevity based on gene expression, clarifying how lifespan is defined during the evolution of organisms, and how this information can be used to modify the lifespan of species.

The study of age reversal can be traced to Shinya Yamanaka, a researcher who received a Nobel Prize in 2012 for his study of iPS cells. Together with Sir John B. Gurdon, Yamanaka demonstrated that mature cells can be reprogrammed to be pluripotent. Pluripotent stem cells are cells that have the capacity to self-renew by dividing and to develop into the three primary germ cell layers of the early embryo and therefore into all cells of the adult body. Embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells are pluripotent stem cells.

Heady stuff…especially for consumer product companies that market skin care products. Until science proves otherwise, dermatologists say reducing premature skin aging is the best bet. Here are 11 ways to reduce premature skin aging, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.

1. Protect your skin from the sun every day. Whether spending a day at the beach or running errands, sun protection is essential. You can protect your skin by seeking shade, covering up with sun-protective clothing — such as a lightweight and long-sleeved shirt, pants, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses with UV protection — and using sunscreen that is broad-spectrum, SPF 30 (or higher), and water-resistant. You should apply sunscreen every day to all skin that is not covered by clothing. For more effective protection, look for clothing with an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) label.

2. Apply self-tanner rather than get a tan. Every time you get a tan, you prematurely age your skin. This holds true if you get a tan from the sun, a tanning bed, or other indoor tanning equipment. All emit harmful UV rays that accelerate how quickly your skin ages.

3. If you smoke, stop. Smoking greatly speeds up how quickly skin ages. It causes wrinkles and a dull, sallow complexion.

4. Avoid repetitive facial expressions. When you make a facial expression, you contract the underlying muscles. If you repeatedly contract the same muscles for many years, these lines become permanent. Wearing sunglasses can help reduce lines caused by squinting.

5. Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet. Findings from a few studies suggest that eating plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables may help prevent damage that leads to premature skin aging. Findings from research studies also suggest that a diet containing lots of sugar or other refined carbohydrates can accelerate aging.

6. Drink less alcohol. Alcohol is rough on the skin. It dehydrates the skin, and in time, damages the skin. This can make us look older.

7. Exercise most days of the week. Findings from a few studies suggest that moderate exercise can improve circulation and boost the immune system. This, in turn, may give the skin a more-youthful appearance.

8. Cleanse your skin gently. Scrubbing your skin clean can irritate your skin. Irritating your skin accelerates skin aging. Gentle washing helps to remove pollution, makeup, and other substances without irritating your skin.

9. Wash your face twice a day and after sweating heavily. Perspiration, especially when wearing a hat or helmet, irritates the skin, so you want to wash your skin as soon as possible after sweating.

10. Apply a facial moisturizer every day. Moisturizer traps water in skin, giving it a more youthful appearance.

11. Stop using skin care products that sting or burn. When your skin burns or stings, it means your skin is irritated. Irritating your skin can make it look older.