The skin is a window into the aging process: easy to observe, it reflects the cumulative effects of time, genes, the environment, and lifestyle. To describe this natural aging process, we can talk about chronological age (years), biological age (the ability of skin cells to function and repair themselves), and perceived age (the appearance we project).

Throughout our lives, external aggressions cause tissular and cellular damage, including DNA damage, oxidative stress, and the breakdown of collagen and elastin, among the most prominent. All of this results in well-known clinical signs such as wrinkles, loss of elasticity, thinning, but also in chronic inflammation or metabolic disorders that can slow down skin repair and promote further aging signs.

The biological processes that underpin skin aging and longevity are closely linked to the 12 hallmarks of aging, identified by López-Otín et al. (2023). These hallmarks help us connect visible signs of aging to biological processes occurring at the cellular and molecular levels, and thus contribute to identifying biomarkers, testing interventions and treatments, and advancing research in skin longevity.

At QIMA Life Sciences, we offer customized tools and services to investigate and address each of these hallmarks.