‘Skinspan’ Provides Road Map to Lifelong Skin Health

Credit: Adobe Stock/Elle Bramble/Cultura Creative

Just like the rest of our body, our skin also goes through changes at the cellular level that affect its health, resilience and vitality over time.

A new review led by Elizabeth Kream, M.D., of Cosmetic Laser Dermatology in San Diego, discusses the concept of “skinspan” — a term that describes how long our skin can stay healthy and functional throughout our lifetime. Just as “lifespan” refers to the length of our life and “health span” refers to the years we stay healthy, “skinspan” emphasizes the importance of maintaining vibrant, resilient skin for as long as possible.

The investigators suggest that the best way to support skin longevity is by starting with a strong foundation of daily preventive care and then adding other treatments as needed.

Why Skin Ages

Skin aging is influenced by two main types of factors:

• Intrinsic (internal) factors: These include our genetics and natural biological processes, like changes in how cells repair themselves.
• Extrinsic (external) factors: These come from our environment, such as sun exposure, smoking and air pollution.

Over time, both types of factors cause stress and damage at the cellular level. For example:

• Mitochondria (the “powerhouses” of our cells) can lose efficiency, leading to less energy for repair.
• Fibroblasts, which normally help make collagen and repair damage, can stop working properly and even send out inflammatory signals.
• UV rays from the sun can damage DNA in skin cells, speed up collagen breakdown and trigger pigmentation changes.
• Pollution and cigarette smoke can add to this damage by increasing oxidative stress and weakening the skin’s natural defenses.

Together, these changes cause wrinkles, uneven tone and loss of elasticity. But more importantly, they reduce the skin’s ability to function as a protective barrier.

First-Line Strategies: Building a Strong Foundation

The good news is that there are proven steps you can take to help protect and even repair your skin at the cellular level. Kream and her team emphasize a first-line approach that includes the following:

• Sun protection
  Daily sunscreen use is one of the most powerful ways to slow down skin aging. UV rays are the single biggest external factor affecting “skinspan.” Wearing broad-spectrum SPF, avoiding tanning and seeking shade when possible can significantly reduce damage.
• Topical retinoids
  Retinoids help boost cell turnover, stimulate collagen and repair sun damage. They’ve been shown to improve fine lines, skin texture and tone.
• Antioxidants
  Ingredients like vitamin C, vitamin E and niacinamide help neutralize free radicals caused by sun and pollution.

Together, these strategies create a strong foundation for maintaining healthy, resilient skin over time.

Second-Line Strategies: When You Need Extra Help

If preventive measures aren’t enough — or if signs of aging are already more noticeable — dermatologists may recommend second-line treatments. These include laser and energy-based devices, which can target wrinkles, pigmentation and skin laxity.

These treatments work best when combined with ongoing daily care like sunscreen and retinoids, since procedures can’t undo all the damage if new stressors continue.

What’s Next: Emerging Approaches

Researchers are also exploring third-line options that may one day transform how we treat skin aging. Investigators explain that these are still in early stages, but they include the following:

• Stem cell-derived therapies to repair or replace damaged cells
• Sirtuin-targeting agents, which aim to influence genes linked to longevity
• Nicotinamide (a form of vitamin B3) and other natural compounds that may help support healthy cell function

While these options aren’t ready for everyday use yet, they point to exciting future directions in dermatology.

Why “Skinspan” Matters

The concept of “skinspan” is about more than just looking younger. Kream and her team highlight that lifestyle choices, medical treatments and cosmetic procedures can work together to extend skinspan. Many of these choices — like not smoking, using sunscreen and eating a balanced diet — also benefit the rest of the body.

By starting early and being consistent with skin care and protection, you can give your skin the best chance to stay resilient, radiant and healthy for years to come.