Have you ever thought about personalized skincare based on your genetics? Understand relationship
The beauty industry is experiencing a paradigm shift that promises to end the era of trial and error in the facial care routine. What was previously guided only by visual recognition of the skin type as oily, dry or combination, now finds a precision ally in molecular biology.
With advances in genetic testing and biotechnology, patients' DNA can be analyzed to identify specific predispositions, such as premature aging, sensitivity, acne tendency or hyperpigmentation.
"The difference is not in faster results, but in more precise choices. Conventional skincare works with skin types and works well for most people, but it does not capture individual biological variation. Genetics allows us to guide the choice of active ingredients based on each person's profile, including preventively. The most immediate gain is to reduce trial and error", explains Luciana Rodrigues, Superintendent of Operations and Business in Genomics.
How can genetics influence beauty products?
The process begins with the collection of DNA, which may vary according to the laboratory, and from this sample, specific genetic markers relating to the dermis are analyzed. This exam seeks to identify how the body processes nutrients, the skin's natural antioxidant capacity, the tendency to degrade collagen and even the predisposition to damage caused by ultraviolet radiation or the formation of blemishes.
In this way, dermatologists are able to design more assertive strategies, suggesting active ingredients that meet the patient's needs, instead of just treating the visible symptom.
"It changes the starting point of treatment. Traditional protocols are based mainly on what we see clinically, such as spots, wrinkles, sagging, oiliness or sensitivity. Personalization based on DNA seeks to understand why that skin behaves the way it does. This matters because two people can present the same visible sign, but through different biological mechanisms. I can mention, for example, in melasma, one patient may have a greater tendency to inflammation, another may have a greater predisposition to pigmentation, another may have a more intense response to oxidative stress. If everyone receives exactly the same protocol, the result tends to be less predictable", details Maria Eugenia Ayres, pharmacist and pharmaceutical manager at Biotec.
However, professionals warn that environmental factors such as pollution, diet, sleep and stress levels have the power to "turn on" or "turn off" the expression of certain genes. "Environmental factors such as sun exposure, diet and care routine interact with these predispositions all the time. DNA points out the tendencies and the environment determines to what extent they are expressed", says Rodrigues.
Thus, genetic analysis works as a fundamental guide to optimize the use of dermocosmetics, but it does not replace the need to maintain healthy habits. Genetic knowledge allows the individual to know, for example, that their skin has a naturally lower antioxidant defense, which justifies the need to use vitamin C or other specific protectors.
"We are experiencing a transition from science to clinical and cosmetic practice. This means that skincare is no longer based solely on active ingredients with isolated action or standardized protocols, to become increasingly biological and individualized. The focus is now on understanding how the cell works, how it communicates and how it expresses its genes over time. In practice, there are still challenges, such as the cost of tests, access to technology and the need for qualified interpretation of data. Therefore, the application is not yet fully widespread. On the other hand side, we already clearly see this change happening", adds Ayres.
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Source: CNN