Skin as a sentinel and modulator of systemic aging: a translational framework for evidence-based gerotherapeutics

Diala Haykal1, Frederic Flament2

  • 1Centre Laser Palaiseau, Private Practice, 49 Ter Rue de Paris, Palaiseau, 91120, France. docteur.haykal@gmail.com.

Geroscience
|May 22, 2026
PubMed

Insights

The skin offers a unique window into aging, enabling the evaluation of interventions to extend healthspan. Dermatologic science can accelerate the development of therapies that preserve function and independence throughout life.

Area of Science:

  • Gerontology and Dermatology
  • Translational Medicine

Background:

  • Aging is a modifiable biological process, but translating discoveries into healthspan interventions is challenging.
  • The skin, as the largest and most exposed organ, integrates intrinsic aging hallmarks and environmental stressors.
  • Cutaneous aging manifests visibly and functionally, potentially impacting systemic aging.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the skin's potential as a platform for evaluating gerotherapeutics.
  • To examine how skin-based biomarkers and functional endpoints can aid translational research.
  • To align interventions with diverse aging patterns and establish meaningful outcome measures.

Main Methods:

  • Monitoring structural, functional, and molecular skin phenotypes longitudinally.
  • Utilizing non-invasive technologies for in vivo assessment of age-related changes.
  • Integrating intrinsic aging hallmarks (e.g., senescence, inflammation) with extrinsic factors.

Main Results:

  • The skin provides accessible, quantifiable, and in vivo data on aging processes.
  • Skin dysfunction correlates with systemic aging through various signaling pathways.
  • Skin-based approaches can address heterogeneous aging trajectories and define outcome measures.

Conclusions:

  • Dermatologic science is crucial for advancing gerotherapeutic development.
  • Skin biomarkers and functional endpoints can accelerate the validation of interventions.
  • Focusing on skin health can preserve resilience, physiological function, and independence across the lifespan.

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