The latest concept to cross-over from longevity medicine to skincare is “skinspan”. The idea is to shift from fixing skin problems as they arise to focusing on how long skin says healthy and well-functioning. This is already quite popular in wellness circles. However, expect to see a lot about skinspan in skincare as more brands pivot to embracing biology-first marketing and products. However, as always we try to separate myth from fact. In this article, we explore what exactly is skinspan and is it just a softer rebrand of anti-ageing skincare. We’ll review how to optimise your skincare routine and treatments to prolong your skinspan.
What is Skinspan?
The term skinspan derives from the concept of healthspan which is a term used to describe the length of time a person remains healthy and functional. Skinspan extends this idea to skin and is part of the wider move to integrate longevity medicine into skincare. This shifts the focus of skincare to improving and prolonging the health and function of skin. From a biological perspective, this actually makes a lot of sense. Skin is the largest organ in the human body with vital roles in immunity, metabolic regulation and protection. However, due to its barrier function, skin is exposed to environmental stress daily. By protecting the internal organs from environmental insults, skin cells accumulate damage over time. This in itself causes these cells to malfunction and leads to problems like inflammaging and cancer.
In biology, skinspan refers to the period or “healthspan” of your skin where it remains healthy, strong and youthful. This means maintaining skin barrier functions, recovering appropriately from irritation or injury and continuously renewing itself. As a result skin appears younger, brighter, smoother and bouncier. This idea has caught the attention of skincare companies who are focusing research on ingredients and treatments that can “biohack” this process. So, the aim is to prolong the skinspan or even renew it in cells which have aged and passed it already.
How Does Skinspan Relate to Anti-ageing?
Traditional anti-ageing focuses on tackling visible features of ageing like lines or wrinkles, skin laxity, texture and uneven skin tone. Skinspan however focuses on optimising and protecting skin cells to prolong their healthy functioning. The idea is that healthy cells lead to younger skin. In reality, skinspan and anti-ageing skincare overlap hugely. For example, sun protection, retinoids, antioxidants and barrier supporting ingredients are essential for supporting the skinspan and are also a core part of any anti-ageing routine. Where there is a distinction is treatments such as Botox, dermal fillers or physical exfoliants that address visible signs of ageing but do not boost skin function. On the other hand, skin boosters and growth factors may potentially help target skinspan as they seek to boost skin cell activity.
Skincare Ingredients & Treatments to Optimise Skinspan
This is still an emerging area of research so its important to not fall for a lot of the longevity marketing that will focus on the skinspan. Whilst there will no doubt be some new and effective treatments, there are also plenty of existing skincare principals you can use to optimise your skinspan:
- Sunscreen: This remains the most important thing you can do. Ultraviolet exposure is the main driver of skin damage which can shorten your skinspan. It can accelerate skin ageing, cause hyperpigmentation and even lead to cancer.
- Retinoids: Long term use of tretinoin or over the counter retinols can promote skin cell turnover and boost collagen production by skin cells. This all improves skin barrier function, hydration and gives it a more youthful appearance.
- Barrier-support: Ingredients like ceramides, peptides and niacinamide can help support the skin barrier.
- Antioxidants: Ingredients like vitamin C, ferulic acid and resveratrol can help support skinspan by protecting against ongoing oxidative stress which causes cell senescene and inflammaging.
The same principles apply to professional skin treatments. For these to support the skinspan, they should target cell function and optimise it. Procedures like microneedling, PRP, hyaluronic acid skin boosters, sculptra and even autologous fat transfer all stimulate the skin tissues to encourage renewal and increase blood supply and collagen production. However, its crucial to ensure that any treatment is appropriate for you and correctly done. Poorly performed or inappropriate treatments can injure the skin, cause inflammation or even infection. All of which can damage cells and shorten their skinspan.
Skinspan is a useful concept that can help you boost the health and appearance of your skin. There isn’t one miracle product or treatment that can do this and so skinspan requires an integrated approach. A good skinspan boosting skincare routine will include sun protection, barrier support and collagen stimulating treatments. Ideally, you should pair this with a healthy lifestyle and avoid skin damaging habits like sunbathing or smoking.
At City Skin Clinic, we are super passionate about personalised skincare. Our virtual skin clinic offers safe and effective custom skin treatments. Where appropriate our doctors use ingredients such as Tretinoin, Hydroquinone and Tranexamic acid to treat conditions like skin ageing, acne, hyperpigmentation and melasma. Start your online consultation today. The journey towards great skin starts here.
This article is intended for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always consult a qualified medical provider for any medical concerns or questions you might have.
