Every part of your body has a direct relationship with your genes. One of them is the skin, an organ that needs to be nourished and cared for. In our skin lives a whole set of bacteria in harmony (1), thanks to which this organ acquires different properties and works as a protective barrier against external agents. In the following, we will give you several facts about genes whose function is relevant to various properties of your skin.
Inflammation and the SELL gene
Skincare is a routine that more and more people carry out. There are plenty of reasons for this; the variety of syndromes associated with the dermis is endless (2). One of them is acne. The analysis and continuous advancement of genetics have led to the discovery and correlation of this disease with specific genes (3). One of them is the SELL gene, related to inflammatory processes (4), and precisely because of its relevance, we decided to include it in the 24Genetics skin report (5).
Radiation and Melanin
Another factor that we must consider when talking about dermal care is ultraviolet radiation, which significantly influences melanin pigmentation (6). Melanin is the protein that causes your skin to be a colour and has a high heritability component (6). And when we talk about pigmentation, we refer to the MC1R gene, which has a decisive influence on your skin or hair colour (6). It is, therefore, this gene that determines your natural predisposition to tan easily.
Protection and Vitamin C
But, when we think of tanning, we always think of the outside: the skin, the sun or the sunscreen, which are essential and necessary, but what is on the outside is just as important as what is on the inside. That is precisely why it is required to be aware, for example, of vitamins. In particular, vitamin C is a fundamental nutritional component of dermal protection against UV radiation (7), so pay attention to your diet to take care of your skin.
Balance and 24Genetics
The set of factors that regulate our skin is complex, and so is maintaining its balance. You have to pay attention to both its surface factors and its properties. At 24Genetics, we give relevance to both aspects, offering you data in our skin report (5). We describe traits such as your genetic risk of photoaging but also how your vitamin balance is.
The markers we analyze for our skin report largely predetermine what your body looks like. Take care of it and take care of yourself from now on.
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Bibliography:
- Chen, Y. E., & Tsao, H. (2013). The skin microbiome: current perspectives and future challenges. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 69(1), 143–155. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2013.01.016
- Has, C & Bruckner-Tuderman L. The genetics of skin fragility. Annu Rev Genomics Hum Genet. 2014;15:245-68. doi: 10.1146/annurev-genom-090413-025540. Epub 2014 May 29. PMID: 24898041.
- Common, J.E. et al. What does acne genetics teach us about disease pathogenesis? British Journal of Dermatology, 2019, v. 181
- National Center of Biotechnology. 2021. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene/6402
- 2021. https://24genetics.com/es/tienda-adn/prueba-de-adn-para-el-cuidado-de-la-piel-adn
- Rees, J. The genetics of sun sensitivity in humans, American journal of human genetics, 2004, v. 75-5, p. 739-51
- Pullar, J. et al. The Roles of Vitamin C in Skin Health, J. Nutrients, 2017, v. 9
