What is the Origin of IGF-1 and Skin Health?

The term combines "IGF-1," the acronym for the hormone, and "Skin Health," the resulting state of optimal cutaneous function. The hormone was named for its structural homology to proinsulin and its ability to stimulate growth. Its specific role in the skin emerged from endocrinology and tissue repair research, establishing it as a potent local and systemic trophic factor.

What is the Mechanism of IGF-1 and Skin Health?

IGF-1 binds to the IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R) expressed on dermal fibroblasts and keratinocytes, activating intracellular signaling pathways, notably the PI3K/Akt pathway, which promotes cell survival and protein synthesis. In the dermis, this signaling stimulates fibroblasts to increase the production of collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid, reinforcing the skin's structural integrity. Furthermore, IGF-1 supports keratinocyte proliferation and migration, which is vital for efficient epidermal regeneration and wound re-epithelialization.

IGF-1 and Skin Health ∞ Area

IGF-1 and Skin Health

Meaning

The crucial role played by Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 (IGF-1), a peptide hormone primarily synthesized in the liver but also locally in the skin, in promoting cellular anabolism, proliferation, and the maintenance of the dermal extracellular matrix. Optimal levels of IGF-1 are associated with enhanced collagen synthesis, improved wound healing kinetics, and greater dermal thickness, reflecting its fundamental contribution to youthful skin structure and function. It is a key mediator of Growth Hormone’s beneficial effects on the integument.