Dermatology teams at leading institutions review how gerotherapeutics like rapamycin and ablative fractional lasers modulate aging pathways, reversing age-related molecular signatures in skin and potentially extending healthspan by integrating cosmetic and therapeutic strategies.
Key points
- Rapamycin analogs inhibit mTOR to extend lifespan and ameliorate age-related conditions, though high cost limits accessibility.
- Ablative fractional laser treatment reverses aging gene expression in skin, enhancing collagen synthesis and tissue regeneration via transcriptomic changes.
- Topical agents like 5-fluorouracil and retinoids mitigate photoaging and actinic keratoses, illustrating dual cosmetic and clinical utility.
Why it matters: Integrating cosmetic and clinical aging interventions in dermatology could redefine medical priorities, shifting focus toward healthspan extension and chronic disease prevention.
Q&A
- What defines healthspan versus lifespan?
- How does rapamycin influence aging?
- What role do fractional lasers play in skin rejuvenation?
- Why are ethical considerations important in aging therapies?