A Skin Biomarker is a measurable biological indicator, such as a protein, enzyme, metabolite, or gene expression pattern, found within the dermal or epidermal layers that reflects a systemic physiological state, disease process, or the rate of biological aging. The skin is uniquely positioned as an accessible, large-surface-area organ that responds directly to hormonal, inflammatory, and environmental stressors. These markers offer non-invasive insight into overall health and longevity status.
Origin
This term integrates dermatology, clinical chemistry, and endocrinology, leveraging the skin as a readily observable and accessible tissue for clinical assessment. The concept is derived from the broader field of biomarker research, applying it specifically to cutaneous biology. It acknowledges the skin’s role as a mirror of internal health.
Mechanism
The skin, as a neuroimmunoendocrine organ, expresses receptors for numerous hormones, including glucocorticoids, androgens, and estrogens, and is a site of local hormone metabolism. Changes in circulating cortisol or systemic inflammation, for instance, directly alter the expression of collagen, elastin, and matrix metalloproteinases. Analysis of these quantifiable changes provides an objective measure of the body’s response to internal and external challenges.
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